Native Stonework

Pink Stone BBQ

Posted on September 16, 2024 by Native Stonework

Our friends, Manny and Bekah, have the cutest little house on the east side of Carson City. And, in the backyard is a pink stone BBQ, complete with a spit for roasts or game. Both the house and the BBQ were constructed in 1946, with the BBQ being original to the construction process. The 1940s represented a period of time when the Native American stone masons were quite busy in Northern Nevada. Construction in Northern Nevada came to a standstill during WWII. Once the war was over, Nevada – and the rest of the country – experienced an increase in construction resulting in gorgeous creations like this BBQ.

The students enrolled in the Stewart Indian School’s masonry program were working on projects for what we call the “Learn While You Earn” program while alumni of the program were working on their own projects for area homeowners. We believe that the BBQ is the handiwork of one of the Native American stonemasons. We don’t know which one, however, we’d love to know. Hopefully, someone can provide that information.

The BBQ does not appear to have been used much. Why? Well, the melted roof tiles around the chimney are our clue The BBQ produces so much heat, that there is a danger of the garage catching fire.

What to do with a built-in BBQ that can’t be safely used? Tear it down? Nah, that seems wrong to destroy an integral part of Nevada’s history. How about converting it into a planter? It would look nice covered in greenery that accents the pink stone. How about adding doors and converting it to storage space for outdoor cooking? If anyone has any other ideas, please share them with us. And, yes, we know that the BBQ is not ours and our friends are free to do with it what they will. However, it never hurts to have a Plan B!

This BBQ also got us thinking – how many other pink stone BBQs are there in Carson City? This is the 2nd one we’ve seen in east Carson City. Surely, there must be more!

Posted in Native American Stonemasons | Tagged Carson City, Native American Stonemasons, Pink Stone BBQ, Stewart Indian School, Stewart Vernacular style of stone masonry, WWII | Leave a comment

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.

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.

Posted in Native American Stonemasons | Tagged Burton Wungnema, Carson City, National Register of Historic Places, Native American Stonemasons, Pearl Talas, Purple Avocado, Stewart Cultural Center and Museum, Stewart Indian School, the Downtown Redevelopment Citizens Committee of Carson City, Wungnema, Wungnema House | Leave a comment

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.

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.

Posted in Native American Stonemasons | Tagged Darryl Crawford, Johnny Wungnema, Native American Stonemasons, Randall Wungnema, Raymond Wungnema, State Route 341, V&T Railroad, Virginia City, Virginia Range | Leave a comment

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.

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.

Posted in Native American Stonemasons | Tagged Carson CIty's Westside, Ernest Wungnema, JohnD Winters, Native American Stonemasons, Randall Wungnema, Stewart Indian School, Winters Development | Leave a comment

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.

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!