The trusses in the Copeland Lumber Building are believed to be more than a century old.
It wasn’t long after Minden’s founding that a lumber yard was established on the site of the current Copeland Lumber Building, but the distinctive lumber building was built sometime between 1954 and 1966.
The structure and its annex have been listed on the Nevada Register of Historic Places, according to the Carson Valley Arts Council.
"(The Council) is so proud to achieve this State Register listing for the Copeland Lumber Building," said President Brian Fitzgerald. “This landmark facility, located at the gateway to historic downtown Minden and at the border of the Towns of Minden and Gardnerville, will continue to attract attention and visitors for decades to come.”
According to background accompanying the listing, a lumber yard has been at the site since it opened as the Minden Wood and Lumber Co. in 1908, making it one of Minden’s earliest businesses.
The following few years saw several transitions, with the Gardnerville Lumber Co. absorbing it in 1909 and carpenter Peter Krummes operating both yards as Carson Valley Lumber Co. from 1910-1912.
It was purchased by Hobart Lumber Co. in 1912 and operated until 1940 when it was sold to Nevada Lumber Co., which opened an appliance store on the property in 1949.
J.W. Copeland purchased the yard in 1953 and operated it under the orange and black cat insignia.
Sometime after Copeland purchased the property, but before 1966, the main structure was built, according to aerial photos taken of the area. The annex was in place, according to the registry.
However, as is true for several structures in Carson Valley, components predate the construction. The bowstring wooden trusses are about a century old and were trucked to Minden from a Reno auto dealer.
After the closure of the Copeland Lumber Minden site in 1992, Minden resident Mike Gilbert bought it to convert to commercial space. The annex was an arts and crafts store from 1995 to 2008, when the Carson Valley Arts Council purchased the structure to use as an art center.
“The building’s massive square footage and midtown location is perfect for hosting arts and cultural events,” said Council Executive Director Sharon Schlegel. “Not only will the development of the property be welcomed by art enthusiasts, but the future of art activities at this location will provide a boost to Minden’s downtown revitalization efforts.”
The Arts Council hosts exhibits and community events at the site.
For more information about this listing or the State Register program, please contact the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office at (775) 684-3448 or shpo-info@shpo.nv.gov.
For more information about the arts council, visit www.cvartscouncil.com
