(rshsdepot) Dayton, NV

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Photo link:
http://www.rgj.com/news/files/2002/05/13/9525.jpg.php  (depot as it appears
today)

Depot's rescue on fast track
Dayton trying to get grant to buy historic building

Tim Anderson
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL

A community effort to acquire and restore an historic railroad depot in
Dayton has entered a new phase.

Project proponents said Monday they've applied for a $250,000 state grant as
the initial step toward possible purchase of a 1.08-acre site at U.S. 50 and
Main Street. If the grant is secured, community activists will turn their
attention toward generating matching funds to build a community park and
preserve the old Carson & Colorado Railroad depot.

With public awareness of the project vital to any chance at long-term
success, the Dayton Historic Society has arranged for a railroad-themed
celebration Saturday in the 153-year-old Lyon County community. The events
are part of Nevada's extensive Archaeological Awareness and Historic
Preservation Week activities.

"Acquiring the former depot and the land adjacent to it is very important to
Dayton's future. If we're successful with this, it will open up other
opportunities for the town,'' said Roxie Paine, executive director of the
Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.

In recent years, a number of residents have taken an active role in
highlighting Dayton's place in state history and have pushed for ways to
preserve and protect what remains of the community's rich heritage.
Representatives of the Nevada State Railroad Museum said the depot, dating
from the 1880s, is one of only three remaining from the Carson & Colorado.

The structure, owned by Boyd Mitchell of Texas, is currently used for rental
housing.

Paine said the grant application that could help facilitate purchase of the
property is through the Nevada Land & Water Conservation Fund. The
application seeks to create a park in the heart of the community.

"The key is to get ownership of the land. If we're successful, we can turn
our attention toward cleaning up the corner and then to restoring the old
depot,'' Paine said.

Paine said the asking price for the property, which includes the former
depot and several other buildings, is $450,000. She said attorney fees,
surveying costs and other expenses will likely add another $50,000 to the
cost.

If the campaign is successful, Paine said the restored depot would be used
for chamber offices and a visitors information center. The chamber currently
operates from the Dayton Historic Society Museum.

Paine said those involved in the "Save the Dayton Station'' campaign will
know in early July about the grant application. If the funds are awarded,
Paine said the group can begin to contact potential corporate and foundation
sponsors.

"It will require a major effort. We don't have any illusions about what will
be involved. And we have to raise the matching funds in a year,'' Paine
said.

She said the site is ideal for a visitors center because it's the gateway to
Dayton's historic core. Other community groups have been actively looking
into other potential town improvements, including sidewalks and the
installation of replica gas lights.

Key members of those involved in saving the depot are scheduled to be at the
museum Saturday and will be selling railroad-related items, including hats
and whistles, to raise funds for the project.

Historic society president Laura Tennant said several activities are planned
during the day to highlight the role of railroads in the town's history.

They include:

o Tours of the area following the route of Dayton's railroads, led by
railroad history buff Afton Frederick of Dayton, and will include the route
of the Dayton, Sutro and Carson Valley Railroad. This rail line took
tailings from the mouth of Gold Canyon (where Dayton was first settled) to a
mill along the Carson River. The tours will be at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

o A lecture by Bernie Allen of Carson City on the history of the Carson &
Colorado Railroad. He plans to bring equipment to the museum, including an
original handcar. The narrow gauge railroad linked Mound House to Keeler,
Calif. The only known remaining railroad buildings are depots in Dayton and
in Laws and Keeler in Calfornia's Owens Valley, and a freight house in
Hawthorne.

o A gold nugget found in Gold Canyon by pioneer John Orr, who was traveling
in a wagon train camping in the area in 1850. The 14.5-gram nugget was later
donated to the Nevada State Museum. The museum's curator of history, Bob
Nylen, will answer questions at the Dayton museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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