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James D. Robert House
Photo by Terri McBride,
Courtesy of Nevada State Historic Preservation Office |
This house was built by James D. Roberts in Washoe City in 1859, and then
moved to Carson City in 1873 on a Virginia & Trukee flat car. Many residences
and other buildings were moved from mining boomtown to mining boomtown
during the late 19th century and early 1900s in this manner. The Roberts
House is a rare example of Gothic Revival architecture in Nevada, and
the oldest extant house in Carson City. Typical Gothic Revival elements
of the Roberts House include its gingerbread bargeboard, lancet windows
and a steeply-pitched roof. Roberts was born in Illinois in 1827, came
to California during the gold rush and lived in various California locations
until 1857 when he settled in Nevada. Roberts fought in the Pyramid Lake
Battle of 1860--one of a series of conflicts between native American Indian
groups and new settlers and miners during which more European Americans
died than in any prior American engagement with Indians in the far West.
Historic photo of the Roberts House
Photo courtesy of Carson City Planning and Community Development |
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Roberts died on January 6, 1915. The last residents of this home were
Thurman G. and Hattie Hale Roberts, who bequeathed the home to Carson
City. Thurman, son of the builder, was a miner and an employee of the
Carson and Colorado railroad. Hattie was a direct descendant of Nathan
G. Hale, executed by the British in 1776. Hale's official commission,
signed by George Washington, was still hanging on the wall when Carson
City acquired the home in 1969. That year demolition of the house was
proposed so that a park could be built at the site. Several local groups
organized and saved the house from destruction. It now operates as a house
museum.
The James D. Roberts House is located at 1207 N. Carson St. in
Carson City. It is operated by the Nevada Landmarks Society and is open
for tours on the weekend. Call 775-887-2174 for museum hours.
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