The Mormon Station is generally recognized as the first permanent building in Nevada. A temporary log enclosure, without a roof or floor, had been built a mile north of Genoa in 1849, but it was soon abandoned. The replica fort, constructed in 1947 on the site of the original, which burned in 1910, contains interpretive historic displays about the area and includes a beautiful, shaded picnic area.

The Mormon Station, however, is only the most obvious testimonial to Genoa’s rich past. If you wander the streets of this historic community, you can find that nearly every plot has a story. Sadly, the fire of 1910 that destroyed the original Mormon Station, also burned many of the town’s other pioneer buildings and, no doubt, signaled the end of Genoa as the seat for Douglas County. That authority was shifted to the larger town of Minden in 1916.

Still, plenty of pieces of the old town have survived, including the John S. Childs building near the southwest corner of Nixon and Main streets. The first floor of this brick structure was erected in 1862 and served as a dry goods store for many years. In 1874, the local Masons Organization constructed a second floor to serve as a lodge. Adjacent to the Childs/Mason building is a one-story stone structure, now an antique shop, which was constructed in the 1870s as a dry goods store.

Next door, is the Genoa Bar, located in a building that is said to have been built in the 1850s. The bar, which boasts uneven wooden floors and a hodgepodge of historic political posters on its walls, claims to be the “oldest thirst parlor” in the state.

The Pratt House, located on Nixon Street adjacent to the Genoa Community Church, was built in 1872 by local newspaper publishers A.C. and Alice Pratt. Now known as the Genoa House Inn, a bed and breakfast, the two-story Victorian is one of the most photogenic homes in Genoa.

The Pink House, located south of the Mormon Station Park, is one of the most historic homes in town. It was constructed in 1853 by John Reese, one of the founders of the Mormon Station trading post. In 1870, it was moved to its present location by a prominent merchant, J.R. Johnson and later was home of Judge Virgin and his family.

The Genoa Courthouse Museum at Main and 5th streets, is a two-story, brick structure that was built in 1865 and served as the Douglas County Courthouse until 1916, when the county seat was moved. For the next four decades, the building was used as a school. After 1969, it has been a local museum. The courthouse, which has been restored, contains dozens of exhibits describing the community’s rich history.

The Genoa Candy Dance in late September is one of the Northern Nevada’s largest arts and crafts festivals with hundreds of vendors displaying their wares. Additionally, local residents make thousands of pounds of fudge and other candy, which are sold at the event. The proceeds fund Genoa’s volunteer fire department and other community projects and organizations.

For more information about Genoa, contact the Genoa Courthouse Museum, 775-782-4325.

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