Misplaced Pages

Carson City, Nevada: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 11:39, 14 July 2013 editEmmette Hernandez Coleman (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users15,272 edits 20th-century revitalization and growth: Redlink, we realty need articles about Carson City's former municipalities← Previous edit Revision as of 16:31, 29 July 2013 edit undoNVAnon (talk | contribs)74 edits Economy: Updated the top employers in Carson City, categorized by sizeTags: nowiki added Visual editNext edit →
Line 123: Line 123:


===Economy=== ===Economy===
The following is a list of the top employers in Carson City:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nevadaworkforce.com/admin/uploadedPublications/2546_Carson_City.xls |title=Nevada Workforce |date= |accessdate=2013-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=January 2013}}</ref> The following is a list of the top employers in Carson City from the fourth quarter of 2012:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nevadaworkforce.com/admin/uploadedPublications/2546_Carson_City.xls |title=Nevada Workforce |date= |accessdate=2013-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=January 2013}}</ref>

*]
'''1,000 - 1,499 Employees'''
**]
* Carson City School District
**]
* Carson-Tahoe Hospital
**Department of Motor Vehicles
'''500 - 999 Employees'''
**Department of Defense
*Carson City School District * Carson City Municipal Government
* <nowiki>]</nowiki>
*Carson-Tahoe Hospital
* ]
*Carson City
'''200 - 499 Employees'''
*]
* <nowiki>]</nowiki>
*Chromalloy Nevada
* Legislative Counsel Bureau
*Wal-Mart
* <nowiki>]</nowiki>
*] * ]
*Legislative Counsel Bureau
* <nowiki>]</nowiki>
*]
*Click Bond, Inc. * Click Bond, Inc.
* <nowiki>]</nowiki>
*Gold Dust West
* <nowiki>]</nowiki>
* ]
* <nowiki>]</nowiki>
* <nowiki>]</nowiki>
* Chromalloy Nevada
'''100-199 Employees'''
* <nowiki>]</nowiki>, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services
* Nevada Department of Taxation
* Sierra Surgery and Imaging


==Government and politics== ==Government and politics==

Revision as of 16:31, 29 July 2013

"Carson City" redirects here. For other uses, see Carson City (disambiguation).

Independent city in Nevada, United States
Carson City, Nevada
Independent city
Consolidated Municipality of Carson City
Carson City Mint at nightCarson City Mint at night
Official seal of Carson City, NevadaSeal
Nickname(s): CC, The Capitol
Motto: Proud of its Past...Confident of its Future
Location in NevadaLocation in Nevada
CountryUnited States
StateNevada
Founded1858
Government
 • MayorBob Crowell (2009 -)
 • State SenatorJames Settelmeyer (R)
 • State AssemblymanPete Livermore (R)
 • U.S. RepresentativeMark Amodei (R)
Area
 • Total168 sq mi (435 km)
 • Land156 sq mi (403 km)
 • Water12 sq mi (32 km)  7.91%
Elevation4,802 ft (1,463 m)
Population
 • Total55,274
 • Density370/sq mi (141/km)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (Pacific)
ZIP code89701-89706, 89711-89714, 89721
Area code775
Websitecarson.org
Nevada Historical Marker
Reference no.44

Carson City, officially the Consolidated Municipality of Carson City, is an independent city and the capital of the state of Nevada, named for the Mountain man Kit Carson. The population was 55,274 at the 2010 census. The majority of the population of the town lives in Eagle Valley, on the eastern edge of the Carson Range, a branch of the Sierra Nevada. Carson City is about 30 miles (50 km) south of Reno and originated as a stopover for California bound emigrants, but developed into a city with the Comstock Lode, a silver strike in the mountains to the northeast. The city has served as the capital of Nevada since statehood in 1864 and for much of its history was a hub for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, although the tracks were removed in the 1950s. Prior to 1969, Carson City was also the county seat of Ormsby County. In 1969, the county was abolished and Carson City and a few small surrounding settlements within the former county were merged into a newly formed independent city called Carson City Consolidated Municipality. With the consolidation, the city limits today extend west across the Sierra Nevada to the California state line in the middle of Lake Tahoe.

History

Abraham Curry
Illustration of Carson City in 1877

The first European Americans to arrive in what is known as Eagle Valley were John C. Fremont and his exploration party in January 1843. Fremont named the river flowing through the valley Carson River in honor of Christopher "Kit" Carson, the mountain man and scout he had hired for his expedition. Prior to the Fremont expedition, the Washoe people inhabited the valley and surrounding areas. Settlers named the area Washoe in reference to the tribe.

By 1851 the Eagle Station ranch located along the Carson River served as a trading post and stopover for travelers on the California Trail's Carson Branch which ran through Eagle Valley. The valley and trading post received their name from a bald eagle that was hunted and killed by one of the early settlers and was featured on a wall inside the post.

As the area was part of the Utah Territory, it was governed from Salt Lake City, where the territorial government was headquartered. Early settlers bristled at the control exterted by Mormon-influenced officials and desired the creation of the Nevada territory. A vigilante group of influential settlers, headed by Abraham Curry, sought a site for a capital city for the envisioned territory. In 1858, Abraham Curry bought Eagle Station and thereafter renamed the settlement Carson City. As Curry and several other partners had Eagle Valley surveyed for development. Curry had decided for himself that Carson City would someday serve as the capital city and left a 10-acre (40,000 m) plot open in the center of town for a future capitol building.

Following the discovery of gold and silver in 1859 on the nearby Comstock Lode, Carson City's population began to rise. Curry built the Warm Springs Hotel a mile to the east of the center of town. As predicted, Carson City was selected as the territorial capital, besting Virginia City and American Flat. Curry loaned the Warm Springs Hotel to the territorial Legislature as a meeting hall. The Legislature named Carson City to be the seat of Ormsby County and selected the hotel as the territorial prison with Curry serving as its first warden. Today the property still serves as part of the state prison.

When Nevada became a state in 1864 during the Civil War, Carson City was confirmed as Nevada's permanent capital. Carson City's development was no longer dependent on the mining industry and instead became a thriving commercial center. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad was built between Virginia City and Carson City. A wooden flume was also built from the Sierra Nevadas into Carson City. The current capitol building was constructed from 1870 to 1871. The United States Mint operated a branch mint in Carson City between the years 1870 and 1893, which struck gold and silver coins. People came from China during that time, many of them to work on the railroad. Some of them owned businesses and taught school. By 1880, almost a thousand Chinese people, "one for every five Caucasians," lived in Carson City.

Carson City's population and transportation traffic decreased when the Southern Pacific Railroad built a line through Donner Pass, too far to the north to benefit Carson City. The city was slightly revitalized with the mining booms in Tonopah and Goldfield. The US federal building (now renamed the Paul Laxalt Building) was completed in 1890 as was the Stewart Indian School. Carson City resigned itself to small city status, advertising itself as "America's smallest capital."

20th-century revitalization and growth

The city slowly grew; by 1960 it had reached its 1880, boom-time population. In 1969, Ormsby County was officially dissolved and Carson City took over all municipal services with an independent city status. With this consolidation, Carson City absorbed former town sites such as Empire City, which had grown up in the 1860s as a milling center along the Carson River and current US 50. Carson City could now advertise itself as one of America's largest state capitals with its 146 square miles (380 km) of city limits.

In 1991, the city adopted a downtown master plan, specifying that no building within 500 feet (150 metres) of the capitol would surpass it in height. This plan prohibited future high-rise development in the center of downtown. The Ormsby House is currently the tallest building in downtown Carson City, at a height of 117 feet. The structure was completed in 1972.

Demographics

Carson City is the smallest of the United States' 366 Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860714
18703,042326.1%
18804,22939.0%
18903,950−6.6%
19002,100−46.8%
19102,46617.4%
19201,685−31.7%
19301,596−5.3%
19402,47855.3%
19503,08224.4%
19605,16367.5%
197015,468199.6%
198032,022107.0%
199040,44326.3%
200052,54729.9%
201055,2745.2%
source:

As of the 2010 census there are 55,274 people, 20,171 households, and 13,252 families residing in the city. The population density is 366 people per square mile (141/km). There are 21,283 housing units at an average density of 148/sq mi (57/km). The racial makeup of the city is 81.1% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 2.4% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 9.4% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. 21% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the 2000 census, there are 20,171 households, out of which 29.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% are married couples living together, 11.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% are non-families. 27.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 2.97. The city's age distribution is: 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 106.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 108.20 males.

Data from the 2000 census indicates that the median income for a household in the city is $41,809, and the median income for a family is $49,570. Males have a median income of $35,296 versus $27,418 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,943. 10.0% of the population and 6.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Economy

The following is a list of the top employers in Carson City from the fourth quarter of 2012:

1,000 - 1,499 Employees

  • Carson City School District
  • Carson-Tahoe Hospital

500 - 999 Employees

200 - 499 Employees

100-199 Employees

  • ], Division of Welfare and Supportive Services
  • Nevada Department of Taxation
  • Sierra Surgery and Imaging

Government and politics

Carson City is governed via the mayor-council system. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote to a four-year term. The city council is called the Board of Supervisors and has four members. Members are elected from single member wards. Nevada's capital is generally considered a Republican stronghold, often voting for Republicans by wide margins. In 2004, George Bush defeated John Kerry 57-40%. In 2008 however Barack Obama became the first Democrat since 1964 to win Ormsby County/Carson City, defeating John McCain 49% to 48%, by 204 votes, a margin of under 1%.

Carson City being the State Capitol is home to many political protests and demonstrations at any given time. Weekly protests have included Save the Virginia Range Horses, End the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Occupy Carson City and Nevada ANTI-Corruption Movement that features a 150-foot-long by 4-foot-tall Crime Scene banner in front of the Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and Governor Brian Sandoval offices, the State Legislative buildings and the Carson City courthouse. Other large protests include the Tea Party protest in 2009 and AFSCME local 4041 protests related to State employee collective bargaining efforts and other issues. Perhaps the biggest protest second to the 2009 Tea Party protest was the 2009 demonstration against education budget cuts by Governor Brian Sandoval.

In an attempt to either make proposed spent nuclear fuel storage facility at Yucca Mountain too expensive (by raising property tax rates to the maximum allowed) or to allow the state to collect the potential federal payments of property taxes on the facility, the State of Nevada in 1987 created a new county with no residents called Bullfrog County, carved Yucca Mountain out of Nye County, and made Carson City the county seat of Bullfrog County, even though it is not located in Bullfrog County and is more than 100 miles from Yucca Mountain. A state judge found the process unconstitutional, Yucca Mountain was absorbed back into Nye County, and Bullfrog County was dissolved in 1989.

Climate

Carson City features a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with cool but not inordinately cold winters and hot summers. The city is situated in a high desert river valley approximately 4,802 feet (1,464 m) above sea level. There are four fairly distinct seasons, all of which are relatively mild compared to many parts of the country and to what one may expect given its elevation. Winters see typically light to moderate snowfall, with a median of 8.9 inches (23 cm). Most precipitation occurs in winter and spring, with summer and fall being fairly dry, drier than neighboring California. There are 37 days of 90 °F (32 °C)+ highs annually, with 100 °F (38 °C)+ temperatures occurring in some years.

The Carson River flows from Douglas County through the southwestern edge of Carson City.

Climate data for Carson City, Nevada (1981–2010 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 72
(22)
76
(24)
81
(27)
88
(31)
94
(34)
101
(38)
107
(42)
105
(41)
103
(39)
93
(34)
79
(26)
75
(24)
107
(42)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 45.2
(7.3)
49.9
(9.9)
56.7
(13.7)
62.7
(17.1)
71.4
(21.9)
81.1
(27.3)
89.6
(32.0)
88.0
(31.1)
80.4
(26.9)
67.9
(19.9)
54.4
(12.4)
45.0
(7.2)
66.0
(18.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 21.7
(−5.7)
25.3
(−3.7)
29.9
(−1.2)
33.9
(1.1)
40.8
(4.9)
47.1
(8.4)
52.2
(11.2)
50.6
(10.3)
43.4
(6.3)
34.6
(1.4)
27.1
(−2.7)
21.9
(−5.6)
35.7
(2.1)
Record low °F (°C) −27
(−33)
−22
(−30)
−5
(−21)
3
(−16)
18
(−8)
25
(−4)
33
(1)
26
(−3)
17
(−8)
6
(−14)
−5
(−21)
−26
(−32)
−27
(−33)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.59
(40)
1.50
(38)
1.15
(29)
0.43
(11)
0.43
(11)
0.40
(10)
0.19
(4.8)
0.21
(5.3)
0.39
(9.9)
0.77
(20)
1.19
(30)
1.43
(36)
9.66
(245)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 3.4
(8.6)
3.4
(8.6)
1.9
(4.8)
0.2
(0.51)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0.9
(2.3)
3.9
(9.9)
13.8
(35)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 6.3 5.7 5.1 3.4 3.1 2.3 1.1 1.4 1.9 3.3 4.1 5.1 42.6
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 1.4 1.2 0.9 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 1.1 5.4
Source: NOAA (extremes 1893–present)

Education

The Carson City School District operates ten schools in Carson City. The six elementary schools are Bordewich-Bray Elementary School, Empire Elementary School, Fremont Elementary School, Fritsch Elementary School, Mark Twain Elementary School, and Al Seeliger Elementary School. The two middle schools are Carson Middle School and Eagle Valley Middle School. Carson High School and the alternative Pioneer High School serve high school students. Carson High is on Saliman Road.

Western Nevada College (WNC) is a regionally accredited, two-year and four-year institution which is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. It has an education program. The school also offers associate of arts, associate of science.

Photos of Carson City

  • Historic St Charles Hotel in Carson City
    Historic St Charles Hotel in Carson City
  • Former Carson City Post Office
    Former Carson City Post Office
  • The Governor's Mansion in Carson City
    The Governor's Mansion in Carson City

Sports and recreation

Carson City has never hosted any professional team sports. However, a variety of sports are offered a parks and recreation. Many neighborhood parks offers a wide variety of features, including picnic tables, beaches, restrooms, fishing, softball, basketball, pond, tennis, and volleyball. The largest park is Mills Park, which has a total of 51 acres (0.21 km) of land. While there are no ski slopes within Carson City, the city is located close to Heavenly Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak and Mount Rose skiing areas.

Points of interest

See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Carson City, Nevada

Museums

Secret Harbor Beach, Lake Tahoe
  • Yesterday's Flyers, an aviation museum located in Carson City.

Open land

Popular culture

Films

The following is a list of movies with scenes filmed in Carson City

The following is a list of films with scenes set in Carson City but filmed elsewhere

City of Bad Men (1953 film)

Events

Notable people

Carson City has served as one of the state’s centers for politics and business. Every state governor since Denver S. Dickerson has resided in the Governor's Mansion located in Carson City. See also: List of Governors of Nevada. The following personalities took up a residence in Carson City at some point in their lives.

Transportation

Looking south on US 395, just south of US 50 near Carson City

There are two highways in the city US Route 395 and US Route 50. Carson City is home to one under-construction freeway Interstate 580. Phase 1 of the Carson City Freeway Project from US 395, just north of the city, to US 50 was completed in February 2006 and Phase 2A, extending from Rt. 50 to Fairview Drive, was officially opened on September 24, 2009. Phase 2B, Fairview Drive to Rt. 50, awaits funding and, according to Director Martinovich at NDOT, completion is anticipated for the fall of 2017

Carson City's first modern bus system, Jump Around Carson, or JAC, opened to the public. JAC uses a smaller urban bus that is ideal for Carson City. However, there is virtually no ground public transportation to other destinations. Passenger trains haven't served Carson City since 1950, when the Virginia and Truckee Railroad was shut down. Greyhound Lines stopped their bus services to the town in 2006 and Amtrak discontinued their connecting thruway bus to Sacramento in 2008. There is now only a limited Monday – Friday RTC bus service to Reno which is still served by both Greyhound and Amtrak.

Carson City is also served by the Carson Airport, which is a regional airport in the northern part of the city. Reno-Tahoe International Airport, which is 28 miles (45 km) away, handles domestic commercial flights.

References

  1. "About Carson City". Carson City. May 29, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  2. "National Park Service: Three Historic Cities". Travel Nevada.com. Retrieved 6=2-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. Bayer, C.W. (1995). Profits, plots & lynching; the creation of Nevada Territory. Carson, City NV: Purple Mountain Press. p. 2. ISBN 0-9628890-3-2.
  4. Oldham, Willa (1991). Carson City: Nevada’s Capital City. Carson City, NV: Nevada State Museum. p. 5. ASIN B0006QSL8Q.
  5. Carson City website. "Carson City Living History". Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  6. Kelli Du Fresne. "Dedicated to Carson's Chinese history". Nevada Appeal. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
  7. Carson City Government. "Carson City: History". Retrieved February 6, 2010.
  8. Staff Writer. "About Carson City". Emporis. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
  9. "Carson City High Rise Buildings". Emporis.com. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  10. Moffatt, Riley. Scarecrow (1996). 155. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. "Subcounty population estimates: Nevada 2000–2007" (CSV). United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 18, 2009. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
  12. Staff Writer. "Carson City Demographics". City-Data.com. Retrieved 6-3-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  13. "Nevada Workforce". Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  14. Regional Data Center
  15. "Carson City Politics". carson.org. p. 95. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  16. Nevada Appeal http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20120915/NEWS/120919867&parentprofile=search. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. "World War II, Korea veterans join anti-war protests in Carson City". Las Vegas Review Journal.
  18. KRNV http://www.mynews4.com/news/story/Occupy-Carson-City-Protest-on-Saturday/Rv-wGfkCnESciPUXjq2H1A.cspx. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. Nevada Appeal http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20120429/NEWS/120429789&parentprofile=search. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. Las Vegas Review Journal http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-legislature/protesters-carson-city-objecting-education-cuts?c=n. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. Updated North American Map of the Köppen climate classification system.
  22. ^ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  23. Staff Writer. "Carson City School District". Carson City School District. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  24. Staff Writer. "Western Nevada College Website". Western Nevada College. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  25. Staff Writer (5-14-2010). "Carson City Recreation". Carson City. Retrieved March 6, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. Staff Writer. "Parks in Carson City". Carson City. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  27. Staff Writer. "Ski resort near Carson City". Google. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  28. "Stewart Indian School-Three Historic Nevada Cities: Carson City, Reno and Virginia City-A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary". Nps.gov. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  29. "The Historic James Doane Roberts House". Cchistorical.org. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  30. "Yesterday's Flyers:". Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  31. www.imdb.com
  32. "Carson City.com". Visitcarsoncity.com. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  33. Con Air filming locations
  34. Ballew, Susan J. (2010). Early Carson City. Arcadia Publishing. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-7385-7158-4. Retrieved November 20, 2010. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  35. "Historic Personalities". Visitcarsoncity.com. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  36. "Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) – Carson City". Visitcarsoncity.com. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  37. Native American author
  38. "Getting here". Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  39. Staff Writer. "Carson City Freeway". Carson City Freeway.
  40. Meeting w/Dir. Martinovich, 1:30pm on 4/19/12 at her NDOT office with Steve Waclo, Carson City.
  41. Staff Writer. "Jump Around Carson". Jump Around Carson. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  42. Staff Writer. "Carson City Airport". Carson City Airport. Retrieved March 6, 2010.

External links

Places adjacent to Carson City, Nevada
Washoe County Storey County
Placer County, California Carson City, Nevada Lyon County
Douglas County, Nevada
State of Nevada
Carson City (capital)
Topics
Society
Regions
Metro areas
Counties
Cities and
communities
Former counties
flag Nevada portal
Capitals of the United States by jurisdiction

Nation:

States:

Territories:

American frontier
1776 to 1912
Native Nations
Notable people
Native Americans
Explorers
and pioneers
Lawmen
Outlaws
Soldiers
and scouts
Others
Frontier culture
Transport
and trails
Folklore
Gold rushes
Gunfights
Military conflicts
Range wars
and feuds
Lists
Influence
Places
Alaska
Arizona Territory
California
Colorado
Dakota Territory
Florida Territory
Idaho Territory
Illinois
Kansas
Missouri
Montana Territory
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico Territory
Oklahoma Territory
and Indian Territory
Oregon Territory
Texas
Utah Territory
Washington Territory
Wyoming Territory

Template:Nevada cities and mayors of 100,000 population

Categories: