Eagle Valley

Centrally located between one of the first Nevada settlements at Genoa and the gold and silver of the Comstock Lode, Eagle Valley, site of present Carson City, was a vital link inland communications.

One of the key California emigrant routes, the Carson branch of the California Emigrant Trail crossed the Sierra Nevada at Kit Carson Pass and came through Eagle Valley roughly along Sage Drive, a block east of this point.

The first overland telegraph, colloquially known as Fred Bees “Grapevine” was completed from Placerville to Carson City in 1859.  In this area, the line followed what is now highway U.S. 395.  The Pony Express (1860-1861) and the Butterfield-Wells Fargo Overland Stages (1862-1868) followed the same route.

The Virginia & Truckee Railway in its extension to Carson Valley and Minden in 1906 used the route about six blocks east of Bigelow Drive.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO. 76

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

OVERLAND ACRES ASSOCIATION