Dayton residents were treated Saturday to a day-long celebration of the town, circa 1864, with “Discover Gold in Dayton, Again,” a living-history event presented by The Historical Society of Dayton Valley to commemorate the town’s many firsts in Nevada’s history: as the location of the first gold discovery which took place in 1849; as the first permanent settlement, founded in 1851; as the site of Lyon County’s first courthouse, opened in 1864; and also as the site of Nevada’s first marriage and first divorce.
Old Town was brought to life with various activities from blacksmithing and wagon rides, to history presentations by Adolph Sutro, a visit by Abe Lincoln and other dignitaries of the day, and an engaging telling by McAvoy Layne as Mark Twain, of Twain’s adventure to Silver Land (Nevada), his time here and a delightful recounting of the state’s less than “proper” history through present time.
The Old Schoolhouse and Firehouse museums, as well as the Carson & Colorado Railroad Depot were open to visitors.
Anyone interested in perusing the antique book collection, with books available for purchase at the depot, can call Phyllis King at 775-546-3725. For more information about the Historical Society, to volunteer and ways to help preserve Dayton’s history and buildings, call 775-246-3527 or 775-410-7887 or visit them on the web at www.daytonnvhistory.org .