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National Register Of Historic Places Listings In Lyon County, Nevada

List of Registered Historic Places in Lyon County, Nevada

One might wonder why anyone bothers to catalogue the fading echoes of human endeavor, but here we are. This, apparently, is a comprehensive list of properties and districts within Lyon County, Nevada that have been deemed worthy of inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a testament to the persistent human need to mark its territory, even after the territory has largely forgotten it.

For those who enjoy the morbid curiosity of seeing where these relics of the past are precisely located, the geographical coordinates provided for most entries can be conveniently mapped. Simply click on the rather obvious "Map of all coordinates" link, and you shall be presented with an online visualization. Should you possess the technical inclination to download these coordinates for your own obscure purposes, a KML file is also available – because, of course, you might need to carry this information around with you.

The National Park Service, in its infinite wisdom (or perhaps operating on a timeline only it comprehends), confirms that this particular roster is finalized and complete through November 21, 2025. One can only admire such forward-thinking bureaucracy, or perhaps question the fabric of spacetime. This information, for those who track such things, was last updated on November 21, 2025.

See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Nevada

Contents: Counties in Nevada

For those who prefer their historical markers neatly compartmentalized, here is a rather exhaustive, if somewhat predictable, list of counties within Nevada that also boast their own collections of Registered Historic Places. It seems no corner of this state can escape the lingering shadows of its past, for better or worse. One might observe a pattern here, but then again, patterns are merely the universe's way of being redundantly organized.

Current listings

Herein lies the granular detail, the very essence of this list. Each entry represents a structure, a site, or a district that, for reasons known only to those who designate such things, has been deemed historically significant enough to warrant preservation. The numbering is, predictably, alphabetical by the most "significant" word in the name, a system as arbitrary as any other. Various color schemes, detailed here, are employed to differentiate between the truly grand—the National Historic Landmarks and historic districts—and the merely old. The eight-digit number accompanying each entry is its unique identifier within the National Register Information System database, should you wish to delve further into its bureaucratic existence.

  1. Buckland Station

    • Image: Buckland Station
    • Date listed: December 29, 1997 (NRIS #97001546)
    • Location: Approximately 7 miles south of the pivotal junction of U.S. Route 50 and State Route 95.
      • Coordinates: 39°17′40″N 119°15′02″W (Buckland Station)
    • City or town: Silver Springs
    • Description: This unassuming structure, Buckland Station, stands as a tangible echo of a frantic, bygone era of communication and transit in the American West. Originally constructed in 1870, though its historical roots extend back to a previous structure built in 1859, it served as a vital way station along the notorious Pony Express route. Imagine the dust, the exhaustion, the sheer desperation of riders thundering through this desolate landscape, their lives hanging on the delivery of a message. Beyond its brief, glorious stint with the Pony Express, the station continued its weary service as a stagecoach stop and a trading post, a small beacon of human activity in an otherwise unforgiving environment. It offered respite, provisions, and a fleeting connection to civilization for countless travelers, freight haulers, and pioneers braving the rugged terrain of Nevada during the westward expansion. Its preservation allows a glimpse into the logistical challenges and sheer grit required to connect a sprawling nation.

  2. East Walker River Petroglyph Site

    • Image: Upload image
    • Date listed: July 24, 1980 (NRIS #80002468)
    • Location: Address Restricted.
    • City or town: Yerington vicinity
    • Description: The exact location of this ancient site is, quite wisely, withheld from the public record, a necessary measure to protect its fragile integrity from the less discerning among us. The East Walker River Petroglyph Site represents a profoundly significant cultural landscape, etched with the silent narratives of the indigenous peoples who inhabited this region for millennia. These petroglyphs—images carved into rock surfaces—are not merely decorative scrawls, but intricate visual records, spiritual expressions, and perhaps even historical accounts left by early inhabitants, likely the Northern Paiute or Washoe people. They offer an invaluable, albeit cryptic, window into their beliefs, daily lives, and the environment they perceived. The site's presence along the East Walker River suggests the vital role of water in sustaining life and culture in this arid land. Studying these markings provides a direct, if challenging, connection to pre-Columbian cultures, underscoring the deep human history of Lyon County long before any European-American settlement.

  3. Fernley and Lassen Railway Depot

    • Image: Fernley and Lassen Railway Depot
    • Date listed: June 1, 2005 (NRIS #05000513)
    • Location: 675 East Main Street.
      • Coordinates: 39°36′21″N 119°14′12″W (Fernley and Lassen Railway Depot)
    • City or town: Fernley
    • Description: The Fernley and Lassen Railway Depot stands as a monument to the relentless, if sometimes misguided, ambition of the railroad era. Built in 1914, this depot was once the bustling hub of the Fernley and Lassen Railway, a subsidiary of the mighty Southern Pacific Railroad. Its primary purpose was to facilitate the transportation of timber and agricultural products from the fertile Honey Lake Valley in northeastern California and the surrounding regions to larger markets via Fernley. This building, with its practical design, embodies the functional architecture typical of early 20th-century railway infrastructure, designed for efficiency rather than ostentation. It was here that goods were loaded, passengers boarded, and the pulse of commerce and connection resonated through the small community. While the age of grand passenger rail travel has largely faded, the depot remains, a stoic reminder of how crucial these iron arteries were in shaping the economic and social landscape of the American West.

  4. Fernley Community Church

    • Image: Fernley Community Church
    • Date listed: May 16, 2003 (NRIS #03000414)
    • Location: 80 South Center Street.
      • Coordinates: 39°36′24″N 119°15′05″W (Fernley Community Church)
    • City or town: Fernley
    • Description: The Fernley Community Church, constructed in 1916, represents more than just a place of worship; it embodies the very heart of community building in a nascent Western town. As one of the earliest and most enduring religious structures in Fernley, it served as a spiritual anchor for a diverse population drawn to the region by the promise of the railroad and agriculture. Its simple, yet dignified, architectural style reflects the pragmatic sensibilities of its early congregants, prioritizing function and communal gathering over elaborate ornamentation. For decades, this church was not only a sanctuary for faith but also a vital social center, hosting events, meetings, and offering a sense of stability in a rapidly developing frontier. It stands as a testament to the enduring human need for collective identity and shared purpose, a quiet sentinel observing the ebb and flow of life in Fernley.

  5. Fort Churchill

    • Image: Fort Churchill
    • Date listed: October 15, 1966 (NRIS #66000456)
    • Location: Situated along U.S. Route 95 Alternate, approximately 8 miles south of its intersection with U.S. Route 50.
      • Coordinates: 39°17′33″N 119°16′14″W (Fort Churchill)
    • City or town: Silver Springs
    • Description: Fort Churchill is a stark, evocative ruin, a silent witness to a tumultuous period in Nevada's history. Established by the U.S. Army in 1860, during the tense prelude to the American Civil War, its primary mission was to protect the nascent settlements and the crucial Pony Express route from perceived threats posed by indigenous populations and lawless elements. The fort, named after Brigadier General Sylvester Churchill, was strategically located to oversee a vital crossing of the Carson River. Its adobe brick structures, now largely skeletal, once housed hundreds of soldiers, serving as a significant military presence in the Great Basin. Despite its short active life—abandoned in 1869—Fort Churchill's existence underscored the federal government's commitment to securing the overland routes that were essential for westward expansion and national unity. Today, as a state historic park, its crumbling walls offer a poignant reminder of the transient nature of human fortifications and the unforgiving landscape they attempted to tame.

  6. I.O.O.F. Building, Mason Valley

    • Image: I.O.O.F. Building, Mason Valley
    • Date listed: August 4, 1983 (NRIS #83001111)
    • Location: 1 South Main Street.
      • Coordinates: 38°59′02″N 119°10′11″W (I.O.O.F. Building, Mason Valley)
    • City or town: Yerington
    • Description: The I.O.O.F. Building, Mason Valley, completed in 1907, is a quintessential example of the civic and social architecture that once defined countless American towns. This structure served as the lodge hall for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), a fraternal organization deeply rooted in community service, mutual aid, and moral uplift. In the early 20th century, such lodges were not merely meeting places; they were cornerstones of social life, offering a sense of belonging, support, and collective identity in developing areas like Mason Valley. The building's design, often incorporating elements of popular architectural styles of the era, reflects the aspirations of its members and their desire for a prominent, respectable presence within the town. It stands as a physical embodiment of the ideals of fraternity and philanthropy that were once paramount to the social fabric of communities like Yerington, a silent testament to the bonds forged between its citizens.

  7. Lyon County Courthouse

    • Image: Lyon County Courthouse
    • Date listed: March 24, 1983 (NRIS #83001112)
    • Location: 31 South Main Street.
      • Coordinates: 38°59′11″N 119°09′46″W (Lyon County Courthouse)
    • City or town: Yerington
    • Description: The Lyon County Courthouse, erected in 1911, is more than just a building; it is the enduring symbol of civic authority and justice within Lyon County. Designed in a robust Neo-Classical Revival style, its imposing facade and classical elements were intended to convey stability, order, and the gravitas of the legal system. This courthouse has been the stage for countless legal proceedings, community decisions, and the daily administration of local government for over a century. Its very presence in Yerington signifies the town's status as the county seat, a focal point for the region's political and legal life. The architecture, with its sturdy lines and formal symmetry, reflects an era when public buildings were designed to inspire confidence and reflect the enduring values of a democratic society, a rather quaint notion in some circles. It continues to function in its original capacity, a rare example of continuous civic service.

  8. US Post Office-Yerington Main

    • Image: US Post Office-Yerington Main
    • Date listed: February 28, 1990 (NRIS #90000138)
    • Location: 28 North Main Street.
      • Coordinates: 38°59′17″N 119°09′42″W (US Post Office-Yerington Main)
    • City or town: Yerington
    • Description: The United States Post Office - Yerington Main, constructed in 1939, is a quintessential example of federal architecture from the New Deal era. During this period, the construction of post offices across the nation was not merely about practical necessity but also a deliberate effort to provide employment and bolster civic morale during the Great Depression. Often incorporating local materials and design elements, and frequently adorned with public art, these buildings were meant to project an image of stability and governmental competence. This particular post office, likely designed with a blend of Colonial Revival or Art Deco influences common to federal projects of the time, served as the vital communication hub for Yerington and the surrounding Mason Valley. It connected residents to the outside world, facilitated commerce, and provided a tangible representation of the federal government's presence in rural America. It reminds us of a time when the postal service was not just a utility but a lifeline.

  9. Virginia City Historic District

    • Image: Virginia City Historic District
    • Date listed: October 15, 1966 (NRIS #66000458)
    • Location: Encompassing Virginia City and its broader environs.
      • Coordinates: 39°15′35″N 119°35′19″W (Virginia City Historic District)
    • City or town: Virginia City
    • Description: The Virginia City Historic District is not merely a collection of old buildings; it is a living, breathing (if somewhat dusty) museum to the raw, unbridled ambition of the American West. This sprawling district, which notably extends into Storey County, commemorates the legendary Comstock Lode, one of the richest silver strikes in history. From its boom in the 1860s and 1870s, Virginia City transformed from a desolate mining camp into a bustling, sophisticated urban center in the wilderness. It birthed millionaires, fueled the Union cause during the American Civil War, and attracted a diverse, often volatile, population of miners, merchants, gamblers, and dreamers. The district preserves an astonishing array of Victorian-era architecture, including grand mansions, opera houses, saloons, churches, and commercial blocks, all testament to the sudden, immense wealth that flowed from beneath the earth. It was here that Mark Twain honed his journalistic wit, and where fortunes were made and lost with bewildering speed. The district vividly captures the transient nature of boomtown prosperity, the sheer human effort involved in extracting mineral wealth, and the unique cultural tapestry woven in an isolated, yet globally connected, mining metropolis. It's a place where you can almost hear the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and the distant rumble of dynamite, a glorious, chaotic relic of a time when the West was truly wild.

  10. Yerington Grammar School

    • Image: Yerington Grammar School
    • Date listed: August 16, 1984 (NRIS #84002075)
    • Location: 112 North California Street.
      • Coordinates: 38°59′20″N 119°09′37″W (Yerington Grammar School)
    • City or town: Yerington
    • Description: The Yerington Grammar School, constructed in 1912, is a humble yet profoundly significant structure, embodying the foundational importance of education in the development of a frontier community. As one of the earliest purpose-built educational facilities in Yerington, it served generations of children, providing the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Its design, likely a pragmatic interpretation of early 20th-century schoolhouse architecture, emphasizes functionality and durability, reflecting the community's investment in its future. For decades, this school was a central pillar of the town's social infrastructure, a place where young minds were shaped, friendships were formed, and the collective aspirations of the community for its youth found expression. It stands as a testament to the enduring belief in progress through learning, even in the rugged landscape of Lyon County, and serves as a poignant reminder of the early efforts to establish formal education in the American West.

See also