Mark Pierce has been kind enough to write in and tell me about his family association with Washoe Valley. He is a decendent of the Elsman family who had a 7,000 acre ranch in the southwest corner of the valley along Franktown Road. His website has two movies so far- one from 1927 and a color one from 1939. They are wonderful snapshots of family ranch life in those days. There is a lot of family shots but once in awhile there are ones special to Washoe Valley. Some are long shots of the views and one I especially got a kick out of- a wrangler saddle breaking a horse with the lake in the background. Mark says he will keep adding photos and video as time goes on and we are looking forward to it!
Washoe Valley History on Film
Washoe Canyon Gutted By Fire
Not only did many local residents lose their homes and property due to the recent wildfire but a special natural place has been burned out. Just north of Washoe City is Washoe Canyon (also known as Pagni Canyon). The outlet of Little Washoe Lake flows north under Hwy 395 and snakes it’s way down the rugged canyon to Pleasant Valley. We have enjoyed several hikes through the lush canyon over the years and was fun to explore. This is the route the Virginia & Truckee Railroad took from our valley northward on it’s way to Reno and several trestles remained and remnants of the old roadbed beside the creek.
But the fire ripped through the canyon as well and now it is black and barren. Local resident Christina took a look after the fire and sent in these photos of before and after. Hopefully we’ll be blessed with the right conditions in the near future that will recreate the cool and green haven we used to enjoy. Thanks for the photos, Christina!
Little Washoe Lake Closed
We heard through the media that Little Washoe Lake access has been closed due to the reseeding program after the fire. It is great that the authorities have jumped right on it and used a helicopter to reseed. I don’t know what it is but probably grasses of some sort. I hope the sage comes back quickly- that was such a beautiful area around the lake. We just need some rain and snow now!
Lost Horse- Anyone lose one?
We received this note yesterday from the area of the Virginia Foothills to the north. Candace writes:
“I may have found a horse lost from the recent fire. Do you know who I can contact to find information on people who are still missing their horse?
I will take a picture of the horse when it gets lighter out. She is in a field by the Virginia Foothills. She has been lying down there for a couple of days. She’s not pregnant. I’ll get some water to her and some food.
It is possible she is simply feral, that someone let her go due to the economy. It happens. I don’t interfere with the feral population but if she is missing due to the fire someone may be looking for her.”
I said I would post the info and suggested she contact the Humane Society and the Sheriff’s office to see if there was any coordination in this sort of case. Let us know if you know someone who has lost a horse and we’ll get them in touch with Candace.
Washoe Fire Fund Donations Needed!
The Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department in cooperation with Pleasant Valley Elementary School has set up an account to allow the community to donate to the victims of the Washoe Drive fire. People wishing to donate can go to any Wells Fargo branch and reference; Pleasant Valley VFD Washoe Drive Fire Victims Fund acct # 9932426530. I am available any time for questions.
Shawn Wilburn, Chief
Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department
CELL: 775-846-2684
Orson Hyde’s Curse On Washoe Valley
There is an excellent article over at rgj.com by Emerson Marcus regarding some entertaining history concerning the old curse on Washoe Valley. As another disaster falls on us here in the valley, thoughts of the old timers go back to this dark curse from the 1850s. Check it out! Thanks for the tip on the article, Olivia and Ashley!
Update On Dining At The Postal Cafe
Postal Cafes’ new chef, Chef Johnny is currently developing an exciting new breakfast & lunch menu. Chef Johnny is also creating a dinner menu featuring smoked meats, fish & vegetarian items with house-made sauces including his balsamic bbq & sweet chili bbq sauce. We are currently serving dinner on Saturday evenings from 6pm – 9pm with plans on adding more evenings. We are now serving beer & wine and it is also available for take-out. For reservations or questions call 849-2722 we look forward to seeing you. Thank you, Rick, Luanne & Staff
Washoe City’s Old Cabin
I have been asked several times about the history of the dilapidated log cabin on hwy 395 in Washoe City. This is the one on the north side of the highway in the old Cattlemen’s Restaurant parking lot. Word of mouth was that it was built as a movie set in the old days and is not an authentic original home.
I did some light research in the old papers and only found one circuitous reference so far but it backs up the story. In November 1959 a letter to the editor was published in the form of a eulogy to a Joe Farnsworth. Joe was apparently a long time resident and ex Virginia City cop and had quite a knowledge of the local surroundings and goings-on. The letter writer related the story of the cabin as he heard it from Joe. “Son, that cabin was put up by a movie company in the war years. Why they even installed electric lights so they could take night pictures. I watched them several times and they even invited me to be an extra with good pay, because I looked more western than any of those who were taking a part in the picture. Anyhow, I refused because I was never cut out to be an actor.”
I also searched for movies and Washoe Valley but as yet have come up empty. I did come across an article about a major motion picture shot in Carson City during the “war years”, however. The theme was contemporary though, and reportedly closed down Carson Street for several days. I’ll probably do an article on that and try to locate the picture later.
Speaking of movies, I had the pleasure of seeing “Virginia City” starring Randolph Scott, shot in 1940, recently and thoroughly enjoyed it as it is about as close as Hollywood can come to portraying the real history. Included are Stagecoach robberies and the building of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. Plus he had the most beautiful horse in movies, I think. This movie is out on DVD.
Fires: Attitude Adjustment
Every time a wildfire would occur my wife would ask me if we had anything to worry about. I said, No, There is a buffer of 10-20 houses between us and the wildlands. Now that I have seen what a bucket of fireplace ashes in 80mph winds can do, I realize none of us can ignore the threat. Thousands of burning embers were transported hundreds of yards to land on tinder-dry vegetation and homes. Every minute, as the fire blew closer at 80mph, more and hotter embers arrived to make just escaping the only option. The embers blew over and around many homes sparing them only to ignite homes further away, sending my theory “up in smoke”.
The very similar Caughlin Fire in Reno, just two months ago, should have
been all that was needed, but just that distance made the lesson abstract to me and it didn’t hit home until I saw the wind and flames from my own deck.
Personally, we will pay even more attention to fire safety around the house. Over the last several years fires have been started by abandoned yard waste burning, construction work, downed power lines, kids partying, unsupervised kids camping, and now, fireplace ashes. These are all areas where we should be vigilant. Also, we will make an evacuation plan: Learn the escape routes, organize our valuables (including livestock) for quick movement, and set up communication plans with family members.
On washoevalley.org I will permanently post the link to livingwithfire.com, the local site on how to prepare and manage and survive just such an emergency. I know a couple of years ago a group in the valley sought to organize a community plan for these emergencies and I will try to find out if it was implemented. If anyone knows, let me know and I will add it to this website.
Hopefully, our run of regional bad luck is over and we will never see another such fire. But the odds are against that. I also used to brag to family around the country that here in Nevada, we don’t have “natural disasters”. I think I should acknowledge that we do and be prepared.
Our thoughts go out to our neighbors that have been impacted by this fire and I hope if those that need assistance and those that can provide it will use this site to communicate and coordinate.
