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Abraham Curry House

Introduction

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This property was constructed from 1869-1871 as the home of Abraham Curry, considered by many to be the founder of Carson City. In 1858, Curry came to Eagle Valley in search of land. that could be developed into a town. After acquiring a large parcel with some associates, he sold off lots while planning the design for a town based on a grid. The lots in town sold quickly following the discovery of gold and mining of what became known as the Comstock Lode, leading this community to grow. When Nevada applied for statehood in the Civil War, local leaders of Carson City succeeded in having their town named as the capital of Nevada. The Abraham Curry House is now used as a private law office. and is not open to the public for tours.

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Abraham Curry House

Building, Tree, Door, Window

Building, Rectangle, Tree, Facade

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Before it became the state capital of Nevada, Carson City was the seat of government for the Nevada Territory. The first settlement was the Eagle Station Trading Post, established in 1851. In the broader region, the land was inhabited by the Washoe people, who lived around Lake Tahoe and in the area that later became Carson City.

When Abraham Curry arrived in the region in 1858, he and his associates decided to purchase land at Eagle Station. For $500 and a herd of horses, Curry's associates purchased one of the best parcels of land in Eagle Valley. This parcel of land contained a sandstone quarry, which was eventually used to construct many of the buildings in Carson City.

Curry and his associates surveyed the land and planned out a town. In addition, he set aside ten acres of land specifically to be set aside for a future complex of government buildings. His planning proved to be prudent. As it turned out, Carson City was designated as the capital of the Nevada Territory in 1961. However, it took a few more years for government buildings to be constructed.

In 1859, gold and silver were discovered at the nearby Comstock Lode. This mining boom provided a solid economic base for the region. It also increased the likelihood that the Nevada Territory would be granted U.S. statehood. In particular, the silver and gold that were mined in Nevada aided the Union effort in the Civil War. Partly in response to this contribution, President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation in 1864 that extended U.S. statehood to Nevada. Carson City was subsequently designated as the capital of Nevada.

Sources

Abraham Curry House, Carsonpedia. Accessed May 21st 2021. http://carsonpedia.com/Abraham_Curry_House.

Abe Curry House Then and Now, Around Carson. Accessed May 21st 2021. https://aroundcarson.com/2018/07/01/abe_curry_house_then_and_now/.

Abe Curry's Sandstone Eagle, Around Carson. Accessed May 21st 2021. https://aroundcarson.com/2007/11/26/abe_currys_sandstone_eagle/.

History, Carson City. Accessed May 24th 2021. https://www.carson.org/residents/history.

Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, Legends of America. Accessed May 24th 2021. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-washoe/2/.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Around Carson

Additional Information