Historic Emigrant Trail Barn Tour

Saturday, May 24

By: Laurie Hickey

Plans are underway for the Douglas County Historical Society’s, “Historic Emigrant Trail Barn Tour”, to be held on Saturday, May 24^th, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets will soon go on sale.

Ticket holders will have an opportunity to tour some of the first barns built in Nevada. Tickets will be $25.00, per person and include the “Barn Tour” a great barbecue lunch provided by the Douglas County Farm Bureau and free entrance to the Genoa Courthouse Museum and the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville. Tickets will be limited in number so get yours early.

This year’s “Historic Emigrant Trail Barn Tour” will be held in May as part of Historic Preservation Month. Ranching played such an important and vital role in the early history of Nevada and especially Carson Valley. That is why we have decided to feature some of Nevada’s oldest and most historic barns. These historic old barns represent the early families that struggled to turn a sagebrush covered land into the beautiful valley that we all enjoy today.

The Historical Society’s goal is not just to raise funds, but also to educate and show the benefit and importance of preserving these and other historic structures, emphasize what an asset they are to our community and how old and new can co-exist in harmony.

The committee is still working to get a couple more barns included in the tour. Thus far, we have the Van Sickle Station Barn, Jubilee Ranch Barn, Cuttin’ Loose Barn and Hansen Barn. We are hoping to add the Scossa, Holden, Rylock and Bourne Barns to the tour.

The barn tour would not be possible without the wonderful barn owners who are so generously allowing us to use their great historic barns. The Douglas County Farm Bureau is again donating all the food for the barbecue and as well as preparing it. The Douglas County Historical Society can’t thank all of you enough. This proves again what a great community we live in.