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!
