 |
Things To Do in Nevada | |
Fort Churchill Nevada State Historic Park |
|
| Fort
Churchill was built in to provide protection to the early
settlers of Nevada. Construction on the fort began on July
1860 and was completed the following year. Fort Churchill
was a supply depot for the Union Army during the American
Civil War with as many as 200 soldiers stationed at the fort.
Most of Fort Churchill was abandoned by the late 1860s and the buildings were sold at an auction for $750. What was once an important military outpost and pony express station was left to decay in the hot desert sun for the next 100 years. In 1961 the fort was once again acquired by the state and proclaimed a Nevada state historic site. Today the Fort Churchill ruins are kept in a state of arrested decay. Visitors can walk through the old fort and imagine what life was like back in the hay day of Fort Churchill. Fort Churchill has a visitor center has exhibits on the history of Fort Churchill and twice a year the Nevada Civil War volunteers puts on a civil war encampment at Fort Churchill. Fort Churchill State historic park includes trails, a campground, picnic area and group-use area. |
| |
Fort Churchill Silver Springs Nevada |
The Pony Express
and the Overland Telegraph once passed through this area, and
nearby Buckland Station was a Pony Express stop. Facilities at
Fort Churchill include trails, a campground, picnic area, group-use
area and access areas to the Carson River.
Visitors enjoy hiking, historic and environmental education, camping, picnicking, photography, horseback riding and canoeing. Northeast of the fort, the Carson River Ranches were purchased in 1995 by Nevada State Parks. This area was once privately owned working ranches. The Visitor Center has exhibits on the history of Fort Churchill, Native Americans that inhabited the area, and natural features of the surrounding countryside. Within the Fort Churchill unit is a 20-site campground is situated along the Carson River within a grove of cottonwood trees with an adjacent group-camp and day-use picnic areas. There is a primitive camp further along the Carson River in the Carson River Ranches unit. Hiking trails include a self-guides trail around the fort ruins with interpretive signs explaining each of the buildings. The Orchard Trail runs along the Carson River from the campground to Buckland Station. A trail runs the length of the Carson River in the Carson River Ranches unit. |
Fort Churchill Nevada |
Original Fort Churchill Layout |
| Fort Churchill
is located along the Carson River, eight miles south of Silver
Springs on US 95A. The park is situated 40 miles east of Carson
City, and 36 miles west of Fallon. Fort
Churchill State Historic Park 1000 Highway 95A Silver Springs,
NV 89429 An entrance fee is charged to enter the park, with
additional fees for camping. Current fees are posted at the
park entrance
The park is located eight miles south of Silver Springs on Alternate U.S. 95. |
More
Reno Day Trips Ideas: |
| |
||||||
 |
|
 |
|
|||
 |
|
 |
|
|||
| |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||