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Orion Clemens House
Photo by Terri McBride,
Courtesy of Nevada State Historic Preservation Office |
This two-story residence was built from 1862 to 1863 by Orion Clemens,
brother of author Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Orion
served as the first and only Territorial Secretary (1861-1864), and
at times, acting governor of the Nevada Territory. While reporting for
the Territorial Enterprise, early in his
career, Mark Twain resided at this house with his brother. The high
point in Orion Clemens's career occurred while he was living here when
he designed the Great Seal for the Territory of Nevada. Because he often
served as "Governor Pro Tem" during Territorial Governor Nye's numerous
out-of-territory trips, this house became locally known as the "Governor's
Mansion."
Orion Clemens
Photo courtesy of Nevada State Archives |
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There were no office buildings in the newly-designated Territorial seat
of government in 1861. So Secretary Clemens personally paid to furnish
the two territorial legislative chambers, housed on the second floor of
a hotel in young Carson City, with a canvas curtain separating the two
houses and sawdust as the floor covering. Clemens clearly offered strong
support of the newly-formed government in Carson City, as he also paid
out-of-pocket for the printing of the House and Senate Journals. But Orion
Clemens was defeated in his attempts to be nominated as a candidate for
Secretary of State in 1864. He and his wife Mollie moved from Carson City
about one and a half years later, never to return.
The house reflects Gothic Revival and Greek Revival stylistic influences,
with 10 original interior rooms, reportedly the finest residence in
the Territory when it was constructed. However, the building has been
modified over the years. The current stucco surface was applied to the
exterior over the original wooden shiplap siding. Additions have been
made on the rear of the house, and one on the north side. The front
porch has been modified from its original form, and a balcony above
the front bay window has been removed.
The Orion Clemens House is located at 502 N. Division St., at the
northwest corner of Spear and Division sts., in Carson City. It is currently
under private ownership and is not open to the public.
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