Joan,
Your work posted on this list is greatly appreciated!!!
Thank you!
Patricia Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joan Achille" <joanach(a)wayfarer1.com>
To: <NVGEN-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2001 6:42 PM
Subject: Yet more Washoe Co. towns
Crystal Peak
Crystal Peak lies between the jutting hills at the eastern
foot of the Sierra. It is a natural outlet for an extensive
tract of timber land. The Crystal Peak Company owned lumber
and mining interests some ten or fifteen miles west of the
town, in a mountain containing crystallized gold quartz
from which the name of the town was derived. The latter
was laid out in 1864. The old boundary line between Cali-
fornia and Nevada placed Crustal Peak in Nevada, but
according to the new lilne, run in 1863, the main portion
of Crystal Peak was left in California.
Galena
Galelna was laid out in the spring of 1860 by A. J. and
R. S. Hatch. It was located at the edge of the mountains
west of Pleasant Valley. Later the town was moved half a
mile further up the creek where it became a flourishing
lumber camp. The district received its name from the large
quantities of galena in the ore discovered there.
Ophir
Ophir came into existence in 1861, when the Ophir Mining
Company erected a quartz mill and reduction works. Ore was
hauled from Virginia City to Ophir, and wood was cut from
the hells behind Ophir and hauled to Virginia City. Ophir
had a population of about five hundred and the place declined
and disappeared as a town about 1867. In 1863 a postoffice
was located at Ophir for the accomodation of Washoe City,
but it was moved to Washoe City itself about 1864 or 1865.
The place doubtless took its name from the scriptural tern
Ophir, which means "rich."
footnote: Mr. Robert Lewers states that Ophir had a popu-
lation of fifteen hundred, while Angel states that Ophir
was a busy village of five hundred. Ophir Diggings was the
first name for Virginia City.)
Pyramid City
While Carson and Fremont were reconnoitering on Fremont's
second exploring expedition, in January 1844, they came upon
a sheet of green water, estimated to be about twenty miles
in length. Rising from the middle of the lake was a remark-
able rock which they judged to be six hundred feet in height,
and which had the appearance of the Pyramid of Cheopsl, where-
upon they named the lake Pyramid Lake. Now in 1876 a town
was laid out, which was called Pyramid City on account of
its location on Pyramid Lake. The population of the place
soon amounted to three hundredl, and stages were run between
Reno and Pyramid City.
Peavine
We have already considered the origin of the name Poeville,
but it is interesting to note that the name Peavine, by which
the place was as commonly known, came from the name of some
springs located on Mr. Lemmon's ranch, around which the pea-
vines grew. From this, the springs took the name Peavine
Springs.
Buffalo Meadows
There are eight stations which have received their names
from some native characteristic. Buffalo Meadows which was
settled in 1865, takes its name from what is known as
buffalo grass, which grows about the place. There were
never known to be any buffalo in that part of the country.
Joan