Orion Clemens House

Orion Clemens moved to Carson City to serve as the first Territorial Secretary of the Nevada Territory from 1861 - 1864. His brother, Samuel Clemens, traveled with Orion from the east coast to work as a reporter and writer in Carson City. Samuel Clemens is better known by his pen name, Mark Twain. Although he was not yet the famous author that he would eventually become, Mark Twain was already known for stirring up public opinion through his writing style, which was considered controversial by some readers.

After staying in hotels and temporary lodging, Orion Clemens purchased the land to build a home in Carson City in November 1863. The Clemens brothers lived in this residence along with Orion's wife, Mollie. Originally, the home had wooden shiplap siding, which has since been obscured by a stucco exterior. There was a balcony above the front bay window, which has since been removed. The front porch, and other parts of the house, have also been modified. However, the house still displays elements of its original Greek Revival and Gothic Revival styles.

When the Clemens brothers first arrived in Carson City, it was considered a new seat of government for the Nevada Territory. Orion Clemens paid out of his own pocket to furnish the legislative chambers. Formal government buildings had not yet been constructed in the city, thus the Territorial legislature met on the second story of a hotel. In addition, a canvas curtain was used to delineate the two chambers of the legislature. Sawdust was used as insulation to cover the floor. Orion also personally paid to print the Journals of the House and the Senate. Nevertheless, his efforts to get the new government up and running may have been partly overlooked.

Nevada officially gained statehood to the United States in 1964. At that time, not long after the construction of his new home, Orion Clemens sought a nomination for candidacy to the position of Secretary of State in Nevada. However, he was defeated. As a result, Orion and his wife, Mollie, moved away from Carson City shortly thereafter. His brother, Mark Twain, also moved away to pursue other opportunities for reporting and writing, traveling next to California. Unlike Orion, who never returned to Carson City, Mark Twain visited Carson City again a few times in the late 1860s, while continue to write about about the places where he spent his time.

"Forget What You Heard, Nevada Is The True Birthplace Of Mark Twain," Travel Nevada. Accessed May 17th 2021. https://travelnevada.com/historical-interests/forget-what-you-heard-nevada-is-the-true-birthplace-of-mark-twain/.

Orion Clemens House, Carsonpedia. Accessed May 17th 2021. http://carsonpedia.com/Orion_Clemens_House.

Orion Clemens House, National Park Service. Accessed May 16th 2021. https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/nevada/ori.htm.