Honoring the Native American Stonemasons at Christmas

Posted on December 15, 2022 by Native Stonework

Every year since 2002, the Downtown Redevelopment Citizens Committee of Carson City has issued a Christmas ornament featuring a historic building in the city. The ornaments are designed to highlight the city’s historic and unique buildings.

The 2018 ornament featured the Wungnema House and the 2019 ornament featured the Stewart Cultural Center and Museum at the Stewart Indian School. While the ornaments are designed to honor historic buildings in Carson City, these two ornaments also honor the Native American men and women who built these marvelous stone structures.

Carson City, and the surrounding area, are rich in Native American history. Both of these buildings represent the contributions made by the Native Americans stonemasons to Nevada’s economy and history. Think about it – without their efforts, their talents, their hard work, the face of Carson City would be far different than the one we know today.

Both of these buildings were constructed by Native American stonemasons. The Wungnema House was built just after WWII by Burton Wungnema. The house was Burton’s wedding present to his bride Pearl Talas. The Wungnema and Talas clans both participated in the construction of the house.

Carson City’s official Christmas Ornament for 2018

The Wungnema House is now owned by the City of Carson. It is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, because the house is owned by the city, it is protected and maintained by the city. Which probably makes placement on the Register a moot point

The 2019 ornament is unique in that it is colored – as far as we can tell, this is the only year that color was added to the ornament. We think that the coloring is perfect as it reflects the many colored stones used in the buildings on the Stewart Campus.

Note the coloring of the ornament

The Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum  is located in the former administrative offices of the Stewart Indian School. The buildings on the Stewart Campus, including the Museum, were constructed by the Native American masonry instructors and students, including the Wungnemas, the Talases and the Crawfords. The Stewart Indian School is owned by the State of Nevada and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Cultural Center is open M-F, 10a to 5p. Please take the time to visit it – there’s so much to learn about the history and future of the Stewart Indian School and its alumni. Note: During the 2022 Holiday Season, the Museum will be closed from December 19, 2022 through January 3, 2023.

These ornaments are quite collectible. If you do not have these Christmas ornaments in your collection, try contacting the Purple Avocado (https://www.thepurpleavocado.com/) as past ornaments can be purchased there. We’re not sure what past ornaments might be available. It might also be possible to obtain the past years’ ornaments online.

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Retaining Wall, Virginia City

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Native Stonework

This retaining wall is located on State Route 341, heading into Virginia City. It was built approximately 50 years ago by Randall, Johnny and Raymond Wungnema and (nephew/cousin) Darryl Crawford.

Retaining Wall, State Route 341

Ever thrifty, these stonemason used the stones left behind after the Virginia and Truckee Railroad blasted its way through the Virginia Range.

Next time you’re cruising to VC, slow down and admire the workmanship that went into this wall.

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W is for…

Posted on November 19, 2022 by Native Stonework

On Carson City’s Westside, there are six pink-stone pillars built by Randall Wungnema, a master stone mason if there ever was one! Randall was a Native American stonemason who trained at the Stewart Indian School. Randall’s father, Ernest Wungnema, was an masonry instructor at the school.

“W”

The pillars are located at Washington and Richmond Streets, Robinson and Richmond Streets and Musser and Richmond Streets. They are located at the entrances to the Winters Development.

Growing up, Randall’s children – and some of the locals – thought the “W” on the pillars stood for Wungnema. Others thought the “W” stood for Westside. The “W” actually stands for JohnD Winters for whom the Winters Development is named.

One of the pillars – note the stone fence post in the background.

While that may be true, we like to think that the “W” is a homage to Randall and his creativity. You be the judge. Drive by the magnificent creations and let us know what you think the “W” means!

These pillars were built approximately 60 years ago and have only improved with the passage of time.
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Greil Ranch, Washoe Valley

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Native Stonework

Construction of the Greil Ranch was slated to begin in the early 1940s. However, that construction project – and many others – was delayed due to WW II.

It is our understanding that the original owners of the ranch, Jim and Emily Greil, wanted the Wungnemas – and only the Wungnemas – to build the ranch house and outbuildings and were willing to wait until such time as the Wungnemas could begin work on their dream home.

Construction finally began in 1946. Master stonemasons Ernest, Randall and Burton Wungnema were the creators of the stone buildings on the property.

Emily and Jim Greil, purchased the ranch in 1937 for the back taxes owing in the amount of $2,400.00. The ranch was then known as the Quarter Circle JP. The ranch was water rich and its spring once provided water to the area’s Native Americans.

The ranch is still owned by members of the Greil Family and continues to be a productive, working ranch.

The Greil Ranch House

In August of 2017, Randall’s children were invited to visit the ranch by Muffy Greil Vhay. The children were frequent visitors to the ranch during the construction process. They all have fond memories of playing in and around the construction site as their grandfather, father and uncle worked to create this masterpiece. The 2017 visit marked the first visit by the children in 70+ years!

The photographs of the Wungnemas plying their craft are important pieces of Nevada’s history – we know of no other other photographs documenting Native American stonemasons at work on a specific project or interacting with their customers.

As we look through these photographs, we are struck by the vibrancy of color. The stones have not faded since they were laid in 1946. We also counted at least three chimneys! Imagine how cozy the ranch house was during the long Nevada winters, with the fireplaces keeping everyone warm and toasty – the family safe from the Washoe Zephyrs blowing across Washoe Lake and past the house!

Measure twice, cut once!
L – R, Ernest and Randall Wungnema
A well-deserved lunch break. Ernest, Randall and Burton Wungnema
Learning from a master. L – R, Jim Greil, Muffy Greil, Randall Wungnema
L – R: Inez Wungnema, Ramona Wungnema, Raymond Wungnema and Evelyn Wungnema-Larkin
L – R: Muffy Greil Vhay, Inez Wungnema, Ramona Wungnema and Evelyn Wungnema-Larkin (photo courtesy of Raymond Wungnema)
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Caroline Street Cutie

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Native Stonework

This stone cutie is located on Carson City’s historic Westside and was built in 1939 by Ernest Wungnema.

Ernest was a master stonemason and his creations are a testament to his creativity and ingenuity. Ernest was also an masonry instructor at the Stewart Indian School (SIS) south of Carson City. The house reminds us of the buildings on the SIS campus which were created in the Stewart Vernacular Style of Masonry.

The house features two fireplaces – one in the front room and one in the bedroom. There was a fire in the chimney of the bedroom fireplace resulting in the fireplace being covered with sheet rock. The chimney was repaired with brick. Why? Good question. Nobody seems to know the reason for this repair especially as members of the Wungnema Family continue the family tradition of stone masonry.

The house was totally refurbished in 2016. Thankfully, the fireplace in the front room was retained by the homeowner during the renovation.

front of house
Back of the house – glorious with all the foliage
The fireplace – note the niche & the vents.
Both features Ernest was known to create
The fall colors enhance the beauty of the stonework.
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