River Rock

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Native Stonework

Nevada’s Native American stonemasons used, continue to use, all types of rocks, bricks and cinderblocks in their construction projects.  The only stones they did not use were river stones, aka  river rocks.  “Why?” you might ask.

Well, not to be a smart ass, but we live in the high desert.  The high desert does not have that many rivers, so, not that many river rocks.  The second and most telling reason, is river rocks are not an easy material to use in construction projects.

According to online sources, “Building with river stone can be challenging due to its smooth, rounded shape, which makes it difficult to compact and interlock. This can lead to issues with stability and load distribution, especially in applications like road bases or retaining walls. While river rock can be used in landscaping and for erosion control, it’s generally not recommended for structural building applications.”  

Plus, it turns out that river rocks can be dangerous.  That’s right, the river rocks are both gorgeous and dangerous!

River rocks absorb moisture, especially if they have been submerged in a lake, river, pond or creek.  River rocks can explode in a fire if they contain moisture, particularly if they are heated rapidly. This is because the water inside the rock expands into steam when heated, and the sudden increase in pressure causes the rock to fracture or even explode. Thus, it is not safe to use river rocks for fire places or fire pits.  When a river rock explodes, it sends out hot fragments. These hot fragments can cause serious injuries to those in their path.

River rocks have to be dried prior to using for construction projects.  For this, and many other reasons, many construction and design professionals recommend using manufactured or man-made versions of river rocks.  Not only are these man-made versions safe, they are easier to use for building projects.

And, that dear friends, is why you will not see river rocks being used any Native American building projects in Nevada!

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Herz Hot Springs

Posted on June 20, 2025 by Native Stonework

We’ve written about the stone houses situated at the Mt. Rose junction just south of Reno (http://nativestonework.com/mt-rose-survivor/).  Sadly, those buildings are no more.  We have long been interested in the history of the houses and were unable to find the answers to our questions.  Thanks a story published in the Reno Gazette Journal (RGJ) on June 10, 2025, we had answers (https://www.rgj.com/story/news/money/business/2025/06/10/nevada-580-south-project-cabin/84121241007/).  Yay!

Then

According to the article, in 1936, Otto Herz, along with sons Richard and Harold, not only drilled a well on site, they also erected the stone buildings we remember from our childhood.

Once completed, the cabins – and bar – were known as the Mt. Rose Hot Springs or the Herz Hot Springs.  According to the article, “An indoor soaking pool sunk into the concrete floor was filled with that hot spring water for guests’ private spa.”  Imagine that!  By the time we were old enough to enough a good soak in the soaking pool, the hot springs was no more.  Big sigh.

The Mt. Rose area is ripe with geothermal activity.  Indeed, to the east of the former Herz Hot Springs is a geyser that used to erupt daily.  Sadly, the geyser only erupts infrequently these days.

Back to the marvelous stone cabins.  Looking at the photographs, it is apparent that Rhyolite was the primary stone used in construction and that area has an abundance of Rhyolite.  We know that Rhyolite was a favorite stone of the area’s Native American stonemasons.

Also, from the both RGJ story and our own inspection of the remaining building, it became clear that members of the Washoe Tribe provided their masonry skills in the construction of the Mt. Rose Hot Springs complex.

The property is to be developed for the 580 South Project.  The developers of the project wanted to preserve the rock material from the building.  As such, the rock will be donated to Washoe Tribe due to its “cultural significance.”

Now

Now, the developers stated that the remaining building was not structurally sound and had to be demolished for public safety.  We disagree, respcetfully.  Knowing the work standards of the old timers and the Native American stonemasons (Plus our own inspection of the building), we believe the building could have been saved. The building could have been the centerpiece of the project.  The preservation would have brought accolades to the heroes who saved it (the developers),  while preserving an important part of Nevada’s history. However, that was not to be. However, thanks to the RGJ article and this site, those buildings will not be lost to time.

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Carson River Road

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Native Stonework

We came across this building in our travels. It’s on the Carson River Road in the middle of a agricultural field. We think that its situated on what used to be Buzzy Andersen’s Ranch.

What was this building used for?  It doesn’t look big enough for a residence or a barn and it looks too glorious to be used as anything ranching related.  There are no other structures close by to even give a hint as to the purpose of this building.  We wanted to take more photographs of this building. However, the large “NO TRESPASSING” signs deterred us.  Call us chicken!

The history of this building is clouded – who built it?  Did the area’s Native American stonemasons or another group of masons build it?  We don’t know. Nobody seems to know.   Until we can determine who was responsible for the structure, we are going to leave it on this Website.  If it is determined that the Native American stonemasons did not build this structure, then the post will be removed.

Now, this building is adjacent to a number of trails owned by the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department. Its smack dab in the middle of the trails from the River View Park, the Mexican Dam trail and the Silver Saddle Ranch trail.  It occurs to us that the building could be used as a map room/rest stop for the many people hiking along those trails.

We suggested the map room/rest stop idea to a former park planner.  He poo-pooed the idea as he felt the building was a POS and should be razed.  We strongly disagree.  By saving the building (Even if it wasn’t built by Native American stonemason), the community would benefit and a piece Carson City’s history would be saved.

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Koontz Lane Kutie

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Native Stonework

Look at this cutie!  It’s one of our favorites!  This little house was built in 1953, out in what was then the “wilds” of Carson City, far away from civilization.  Sadly, it’s not that way any longer.

Growing up, we remember visiting the neighbor at the house.  While small – the house is the size of a large studio apartment – it is laid out perfectly!  Just right for one person!  Imagine cold, snowy days in front of the stone fireplace!  Or summer days working in the garden.  Perfection.

Let’s talk about the stonework – granted, this stonework is not that of the Native American stonemasons.  Rather, it’s a homage to those artisans.  During the early part of the 20th century, many Nevadans were frugal and  to save money, would copy different aspects of landscaping they saw in their travels.  Not only did these Nevadans save their hard-owned money, they were also the proud owners of a distinct piece  of architecture. 

The original owners obviously saw the many creations of the stonemasons trained at the Stewart Indian School throughout Carson City. How could they not?  The school was just a stone’s throw away to the south (no pun intended!). However, not only were the original owners frugal, they were probably of the mindset that “whatever you can do, I can do too!” And, thus this little gem came into being.

We’d love to own this cutie.  We got a couple of bucks or so we could put towards the purchase.  Just saying…

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Woodfords, California

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Native Stonework

Sometime in 2017, we were on a mission to buy lottery tickets.  So, off to the general store in Woodfords, California we headed.  After making our purchase, we noticed an overgrown, muddy road to the north of the store.  

We looked at one another and thought, “What the hey?  We have 4 wheel drive.” And off we went.  

At the end of this road, we were rewarded with a vision – a magnificent, pink stone building.  It was good sized. There was nobody around, no “No Trespassing” signs, so we were free to roam and explore.

The House – 2017


We had questions.  Wash this beauty built for a large family or for a commercial endeavor?  We don’t know.  However, it was apparent that the building hadn’t been occupied for a number of years – windows were broken, trash was strewn about the interior and it had a general air of being unloved.  

We asked around. Who owned this house? What was its history?  Nobody seemed to know.  Some people told us that it was home to a large, farming family.  Which lead us to ask “Where’s the farm?”  The house is in the middle of the forest, so unless commuting was a part of the equation, farming was not the answer,  Other people told us that the building was constructed during Prohibition and was a restaurant/bar. The remote location made the bar attractive during Prohibition. Now, that made sense as we saw what appeared to be a commerical-sized oven inside.

It was/is apparent to us that this building is the work of Nevada’s Native American stonemasons.  Think about it, Woodfords is only a mere 27 miles from the Stewart Indian School in Carson City.  The school trained the Native American stonemasons and many remained in the area after graduating, plying their trade. Master stonemasons all!

And the Native American stonemasons were used to traveling to work sites.  Think Thunderbird Lodge or the Moon Dune House at Lake Tahoe.  The stonemasons camped at these worksites, only going home on the weekends.  So, yes, we strongly believe this marvel to be the work of these artisans.

Cue to last week, we were on a drive and thought we’d check in on “our” house. So, off to Woodfords we went.  Imagine our surprise to discover that overgrown road had been cleared. The trash picked up. There was a fence surrounding the house, it was high security.  Yikes! Best of all, the house was being rehabbed – she was regaining her former glory!  Yay!  

The House – 2025

Unlike Nevada, the assessors of California do not post property information online.  Instead, 3rd party vendors provide this information (for a fee) only if the name of the property owner is used.  Sadly, we did not have that information.  

We were sharing the photographs with friends. These friends have been actively working construction in Northern Nevada for decades and had worked with many of the area’s Native American stonemasons.  Our friends instantly know that this gorgeous house to be the work of those geniuses.  

One of our friends thought that the house might be the work of Ernest Wungnema. It strongly resembles other houses he built (see Red Rock Dental in Carson City or the Griel Ranch in Washoe Valley) However, without access to the county’s property records, we have no clue as to when the house was built or who built it.  

Our friends also agreed with us that a 30 mile jaunt for work was not out of the ordinary for the Native American stonemasons.

Turns, that next to the general store, there’s a house with a chimney and a stone facade that we strongly suspect was built by the Native American stonemasons during the same time frame as the house.  We’re going to scout the area for more examples of Native American workmanship.

We’d love a tour of the house once the renovation and updating is complete.  And even if we aren’t invited to tour the house, we’re happy to know that this important part of both Nevada and California’s histories is being saved for future generations to enjoy.

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