Look at this house on Adams Street in Carson City. She was built in 1939 by staff and students participating in the programs offered at the Stewart Indian School (SIS). The trade programs include masonry, carpentry, electrical and plumbing.
The Native American stonemasons from the school used the locally-unique Stewart Vernacular style of stone masonry in the construction of the house. They followed the protocol established at the SIS. As such, this house resembles those on the SIS campus. Note the details in the stonework, especially the vents in the fireplace and the keystones over the door and windows.
East Adams Street House
Note the vents in the fireplace (internet photo)
Imagine – it’s a cold, wintry day and you – yes, you! – are in front of this terrific fireplace with a roaring fire, good book in one hand and a cup of hot coco in the other. Can you think of a better way to spend a snowy day? Us neither.
In 1948, a motel was built to the west of this house. The motel blocked the west side of the house until May of 2022.
Before demolition was completed – note the building on the right side of the photograph (internet photo)
Demolition debris
The motel and surrounding houses have been demolished in order to construct an apartment complex. Once demolition was completed, the west side of the house was visible from Carson Street for the first time in almost 75 years. Plus, a portion of the south side of the house also became visible as well.
West side of house without motel blocking view
South Side of house from Corbett Street
We were worried that this cutie might be demolished along with the other houses. If so, an integral part of Nevada’s history would be destroyed in the name of progress.
However, a review of the plans submitted to the city showed that two houses at this location would be spared. Fortunately, this house was not on the chopping block. Whew!
The house is outlined in yellow – the buildings outlined in blue were demolished
Google Earth photo Prior to demolition – all buildings outlined in blue were demolished
This house, this tribute to the hard and creative work of the SIS students and staff, remains standing for future generations to enjoy.
This is a classic ranch-style home in South Carson City located approximately a mile from the Stewart Indian School (SIS). Over the years, it became a bit run down and needed a bit of TLC. In 2019, the house was put on the market. Due to its condition, we worried that it would be purchased for the land and the house would be demolished. If that happened a piece of Nevada history would be lost forever.
2019
If memory serves, Randall, Burton and Johnny were the stonemasons who laid the stonework for the facade which circles the entire house. The Wungnema Brothers not only attended the SIS, their father, Ernest, was a master stonemason who taught at the school. Thus, their skill, experience and talent are something to be treasured.
2019
February 2022 – new roof, ready to take on the weather!
The home was sold during the lockdown and the new owners are in the process of restoring the home. They have put quite a bit of work and sweat equity into the home’s exterior, restoring it to its former quiet charm. The stonework was left untouched and still graces the house. We can hardly wait until the project is completed.
April 2022 – This beauty is ethereal and appears to float
So, we found a couple of projects that were probably created by Native American stonemasons. We give them an Ivory Soap chance of being Native American in origin – you know, 99 and 44/100%. We base this on the appearance of the completed projects and the fact that both projects were completed by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC had a satellite program called the Civilian Conservation Corps – Indian Division (CCC – ID).
Logo, CCC – ID (Photo: BIA)
Let’s talk about the Civilian Conservation Corps – Indian Division (CCC – ID). This program was part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s CCC, which began life in 1933. Both the CCC and CCC – ID were part of the president’s New Deal Program. These programs were created to offset the high unemployment rate our country faced at the time. The CCC employed single men between the ages of 18 and 25. These men worked in programs designed to improve America’s public lands, forests, parks and tribal lands.
Records indicate that 3 million men enlisted in the CCC. Out of those 3 million men, approximately 85,000 were Native American and many of those individuals served in the CCC – ID. The CCC – ID program was originally called the Indian Emergency Conservation Work Program (IECW) with an initial funding amount of $5,875.200. The program was renamed in 1937.
John Collier, Commissioner, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) requested the formation of the CCC – ID in 1933. Mr. Collier hoped that the CCC – ID would benefit Native Americans living on Indian reservations and tribal lands. Both Native Americans and the BIA lobbied for a program independent from the CCC as they objected to the U.S. Military providing oversight for the CCC on tribal lands.
The program’s focus was the employment of Native Americans on federally recognized reservations to the reservations. The program’s goal was to preserve tribal lands, while promoting sustainable ranching and farming. Projects included, but were not limited to, road construction, erosion control, reforestation, and water resource development. Generally, speaking, the members of the CCC – ID benefitted more than those men serving in the CCC as there was no age restriction for enlistment and families could join the men on the projects.
Enlistees in both the CCC and the CCC – ID were paid $30.00 a month. They sent $25.00 of that to their families back home. In the Great Depression, $30.00 a month was considered a decent wage. Consider that a 1933-dollar equals a $21.28 in today’s economy.
Members of the CCC – ID usually labored on tribal lands or on projects near the tribal or reservation lands. We found two New Deal projects with stonework, stonework that we believe the Native Americans serving in either the CCC or the CCC – ID completed. One project is in Storey County, Nevada and the other project is in Lamoille Canyon in Elko County.
Construction on the Lamoille CCC Camp began in 1933 and concluded in 1937. In 1939, ownership of the camp was signed over to the Boy Scouts of America. It is thought that the baseball field on the grounds was the work of the CCC. Sadly, the clubhouse was destroyed by a wildfire in 2018. All that remains are the foundation and the chimney.
Look at the fireplace and the foundations. They are the work of at least three different stonemasons. The stonework on the left side of the foundation and at the bottom of the chimney resembles the stonework found at the SIS. The stones are faced and the stonework is precise and tight. The keystone in the fireplace resembles the fireplaces at SIS. The stonework of the other two masons resembles stonework we have seen executed by other Native American stonemasons. All of the stonework is a joy to behold and should be preserved for future generations.
Note: Lamoille is sometimes spelled Lemoille. The preferred spelling is with an “A”.
Foundation and Chimney, Lamoille CCC Clubhouse (Photo: Richard A. Walker) Note the differences in stonework in the foundation, the chimney and the steps)
Front side of CCC Clubhouse (Photo: Richard A. Walker)
We have not had the opportunity to visit the clubhouse in person. We hope to do so this summer, along with a visit to Thunder Mountain, the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe of the Duckwater Reservation and Elko. If you get there before us, please share your photographs and thoughts.
The Geiger Grade lookout and Park was completed in 1938 with the assistance of the CCC. The lookout and park are on Route 341 which connects Washoe County and Storey County. We believe that Native American stonemasons were employed on the project due to the proximity of reservations in Carson City and Sparks, Nevada.
Geiger Grade – the Early Years (Internet photo)
The stonemasons would have either been employed by the CCC – ID or by the Nevada Highway Department (Now, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). That agency employed day laborers on the project.
While some of the stonework in the park is not the polished, finished product of a seasoned stonemason, other stonework found in the park resembles the stonework we have seen in documented examples of Native American stonework. As stated previously, we haven’t been able to verify the stonemasons who worked on these two projects.
circular perfection
However, based on the stonework and the proximity to Native American tribes and reservation land to each project, we believe there is an excellent possibility that Native American stonemasons completed some, if not all, of the stonework at both Lamoille and Geiger Grade. Take a look at the curvature of the stone trash barrel – that is the work of a master stonemason, such as one who trained at the Stewart Indian School.
Going down
Entrance
Placement for signage pole
Entrance to the restroom
Storage container?
Through the restroom window
Restroom & sign based
Restroom – other entrance
The views from the park and lookout are beyond compare. We urge you to visit this site and enjoy the quiet beauty spread before you. We spent a spring morning there, exploring, enjoying, oohing and aahing at how nature and man came together so perfectly. If you have an opportunity, we urge you to take the jaunt to Virginia City and explore the park and lookout. It’s well worth your time.
Looking west from the park
For proof positive of the CCC – ID’s participation in these projects, we need to review the employment records of the CCC – ID. The BIA is the custodian of the CCC – ID records, which are located at the National Archives Records Administration’s Seattle and Denver regional facilities. The CCC – ID records aren’t indexed and few are microfilmed. Verifying CCC – ID enlistee information would be an excellent research project for a grad student.
So, until we can verify employment, we are going on the belief that Native American stonemasons (serving in either the CCC or the CCC – ID) assisted with the stonework at Geiger Lookout and Park and the Lamoille CCC Camp Clubhouse.
Look at these gorgeous gates, guarding the eternal sleep of our nearest and dearest. These gates are the creation of Randall Wungnema. We’re not sure when the gates were erected. We think it could have been sometime in the 1960s or 1970s. Possibly in 1979, when the cemetery entrance was moved 500 feet to the east to accommodate the Roop Street expansion and realignment. Originally, Roop Street ended at the Civil War monument at the extreme northern edge of the cemetery. The street now bypasses the cemetery to the west.
These gates are a monument to function and art. The gates are a thing of beauty and are still in use today. Randall also constructed similar gateposts on the west side of Carson City.
Right inside the first set of gates is a grave site outlined in Rhyolite. Coincidence? Good question!
And get this, a mere stone’s throw from these gates lies the graves of Frederick and Charlotte Snyder. Frederick is the former superintendent of the Stewart Indian School(SIS). His efforts revolutionized the stone masonry program at SIS and brought Randall’s family to Nevada. Without his efforts, Northern Nevada would not be home to the many wonderful pink stone creations that grace our landscape!
West Gates – these lead into the original section of the cemetery
Middle Gates – these lead into the Veterans’ section of the cemetery (to the left of the entrance)
East Gates – these lead into the religious section of the cemetery
We think we should mention that the last set of gates on the east side of the cemetery are not open to the public. Why? Well, it seems that when these gates are open, most drivers charge through the gates and hit the tree on the right hand side of the photograph. We don’t know why – that tree seems like it would be easy to miss.
This entrance originally led to the Catholic section of the cemetery. The Catholic Church signed their interests in the Catholic Section over to the City of Carson in the 1970s. The Latin phrase over the gates “beati morbid qui in domino mortuntor” translates to ” Blessed are those who die in the Lord.”
One of the gates is dedicated to the memory of Charles J. “Mac” McGuigan. Who he? Many people have asked that question. Turns out he was an area undertaker who worked for Capitol City Mortuary (now FitzHenry’s Funeral Home). He must have been someone special to have one of the gates dedicated in his honor.
We think this post is the appropriate place to mention, that under Nevada Law, it is illegal to publicly display or share photographs of Native American burial sites. The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (NSHPO) is the agency responsible for enforcing the NRS that protects Nevada American burial sites in Nevada.
From the NSHPO’s Web site: “PROTECTION OF NATIVE AMERICAN BURIAL SITES: In 1989, the Nevada legislature passed a law (NRS 383.150 to 383.190) to protect Native American graves on private and public land. This law was updated with the passage of Senate Bill 244 in the 2017 Legislature.
The Nevada legislation protecting Native American burials is included in the portion of the Nevada Revised Statutes that covers the State Historic Preservation Office (NSHPO). The full text of this law is presented here (https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-383.html), and we urge all concerned parties to read it carefully.
Because it covers private land and county land, this legislation has more far-reaching impact in some respects than any other laws in Nevada concerning human remains. Note that under Nevada law, it is illegal to publicly display or exhibit Native American remains except during a funeral ceremony (NRS 383.180.3(b)). This may include television, photographs, exhibits, and lectures using human bones (Dansie et al., 1994, page 9).
It is also illegal to find an Native American burial and not report it, even if on private property, and it is illegal to possess or sell a Native American burial or artifacts from an Native American grave.”
So, if you are exploring the wonder that is Nevada and find a Native American burial site, do the right thing. Leave the site alone and report its location to the NSHPO and the nearest tribal office. Do not dig up the remains and treat them as those they are souvenirs of your outing. Remember the remains are your fellow human beings and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
In the 1970s and 1980s, one of the “It” places to eat was the Cabin in the Sky up on the Comstock. The Cabin was the place to see and be seen. This was the place for the view, the steaks and the drinks. And, occasionally, one might catch a glimpse of the owner, Joe Conforte (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Conforte).
Between the dining room, the bar and the dance floor, the Cabin was large enough to host any occasion – wedding receptions, wakes, holiday parties and the annual Fireman’s Dinner. The Cabin is located on the road into Virginia City and people from Reno, Carson City and beyond made their way to the Cabin.
Contributing to the ambiance of the Cabin was the stonework of Randall Wungnema. He was responsible for the brickwork around the fireplace and mirror. He was also responsible for the stonework in the bar.
The Cabin has not been operational since 2004 and has sat vacant since that time. The Comstock Mining Company now owns the Cabin. Officials at the mining company graciously allowed the Wungnema family and friends to tour the Cabin in 2017.
Once in the door, the first thing we noticed was the fireplace. One of the owners painted the bricks a dull brown and covered the paint with a gold, glittery finish. This was not the fireplace the family remembered. The Wungnemas were disappointed that one of their father’s creations had been mistreated so.
Our apologies for the photographs. The power was off at the Cabin and these are the best photographs that we were able to take with flash photographs. Think about this – if the stonework looks this good in subpar lighting, think how it looks in real life!
Close up of the paint on the fireplace
Mirror over the fireplace
Fireplace and mirror
However, all was not lost. The stonework in the bar had been left intact. We could see the precision and artistry with which the stones had been cut, polished and set. To us, this is a masterpiece of stone working. We consider it one of Randall’s finest creations.
Looking down at the bar step
Bar front
Behind the bar
Note the gold grout
The stonework within the stonework
Now, some people might take offense to the glitter and glitz among the stones. Kindly consider who commissioned the bar and remember that the bar is a reflection of Joe’s personality and taste. The glitter and glitz does not take away from the superb workmanship that went into the stonework.
On the cold winter nights, people would gather in front of the fireplace and visit with one another over serious adult beverages.
During the hot summer days on the high desert, people sought refuge from the heat at the bar, enjoying cool drinks. The Cabin and its interior brick and stonework contributed to the community. They have their place in Nevada history and deserve to be protected and enjoyed by the community once more.
The Comstock Mining Company assured us that it has no plans to demolish the Cabin. Indeed, there is talk of converting the Cabin into a tourist center. This is a fabulous idea! Naturally, we had our own thoughts on the restoration. We suggested that the paint be removed from the fireplace and that the bar be used to provide refreshments to the tourists and locals alike.
If you have a chance, drive by the Cabin, stop to take in the view and pray that the building and its remarkable stonework is preserved for future generations to enjoy.
