150 Years Ago
The glorious 4th of July: Tardy gunners fired the old flopping field piece at 7 o’clock in the morning for a sunrise salute, the big flag was hoisted on the Plaza liberty pole, and the national colors were displayed from the courthouse and public buildings. Whisky and patriotism were abundantly dispensed on Carson Street. In the evening considerable powder burned — firecrackers, torpedoes, squids and fiery serpents. Revolutionary sires held a brilliant tea party in the theater, the Declaration was read and the highly respectable audience moved off to slow music — and “gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”
130 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Grand Reopening of Bowers Mansion. Open for visitors, picnic parties, and picnics. A fine bar, supplied with the choicest brands of cigars and liquors ... Also hot, cold, steam and plunge baths, with bathing suits. Fine croquet grounds, swings, footballs, and a large dance hall ... for the free use and pleasure of the guests. Excursion train stops within a short distance of the Mansion, and light wagons convey passengers to and from the Mansion free of charge. Meals at all hours of the day ... C. H. Sproule & Co., Proprietors.”
110 Years Ago
Meteor falls: A small meteor struck a wagon load of hay driven by Elam Masterson in Pioche. It destroyed the hay and wagon. He was driving along the road when he heard a sharp explosion. When he turned around, he found the hay in flames. He hurt his leg but was able to succeed in unhitching the horses. The meteor was the size of a baseball.
100 Years Ago
Sam Davis: Mrs. Lucy Crowell left Carson for San Jose to be at the bedside of her father, Sam Davis, who was stricken with paralysis. His condition is serious, but shows slight improvement.
50 Years Ago
Basques hold 48th festival: Weight lifters, woodchoppers, sheep dogs and wild dancers were in the 48th Annual National Basque Festival. Special guest was Gov. Paul Laxalt of Nevada, the son of an immigrant Basque who came to Nevada to herd sheep.
20 Years Ago
Carson City grows: The city has regulated its residential growth (through ordinance) and encouraged commercial growth. The Carson City 1995 population was 46,770; in 2000 — 53,603; in 2005 — 61,798; in 2010 — 71,401; and in 2015 — 82,393.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.
