Once thriving, the only remnant of Empire City is the cemetery atop a hill overlooking Carson City.
(Photo credit: WNHPC)
In 1855 Nicholaus Ambrose owned and operated a ranch, station stop and tavern named Dutch Nick’s. The site was on the north bank of the Carson River and on a well traveled emigrant road. Nicholaus moved closer to Virginia City in 1857, opening a tent saloon and boarding house. Later he constructed a small building which became the first structure in Gold Hill.
Empire City was surveyed in March 1860 and the streets and lots were laid out. Boundaries of town stretched over a mile, including stores, hotels, stables, saloons, a real estate office and a school. The economy consisted mainly of mining and timber.
Empire City was three miles east of Carson City, but as the capitol grew it absorbed Empire City.
Grave sites range from ornate fences and marble headstones to simple stone or wood markers. Many graves are unmarked.
In 2015 Cyrus Stokes chose the Empire City for his Eagle Scout Project. He researched the cemetery and made informational markers.
A monument from the State Historic Preservation Office marks the location of Empire City. The marker in on the south side of Highway 50.
The route to the cemetery wanders through the Waste Management facility, a strange irony for a once lively town.
We visited Empire City with friend Stephen. We combined with trip with Hooten Well, Desert Station, Buckland’s Station and Dayton.
Visited 5-31-2020
References
- Backyard Traveler: Finding Forgotten Empire City
- Basso, Dave. Nevada Historical Marker Guidebook. Nevada Publications, 1986. Page 1.
- Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps. Nevada Publications, 1970. Page 15, 16, 42, 46, 47-51.
- Western Nevada Historical Photo Collection: Empire City
- Wikipedia: Empire, Nevada
- Wikipedia: Empire and the Carson River Mills
Stephen says
Very interesting presentation. Thank you
Tami says
Thanks for the directions to get there!
Vicky says
Hi Tami. Beautiful photos. My guy was raised in Empire. He has so many amazing stories of what it was like growing up in such a small town with the desert as his playground.
It’s such a unique and beautiful place. You did a wonderful job capturing the unique beauty.
Tami says
Thank you, that is so sweet. I am updating the Empire article, I found a building from Empire that is now at Sutro. It is a beautiful Victorian house.
Anonymous says
I’m curious of that one defaced headstone reads “Von Schmidt” and if they may have been related to the Von Schmidt who drafted the Nev-Cal state border.
Tami says
You have my interest peaked!
I didn’t find the name Von Schmidt on a search of Find a Grave, so went through each headstone.
Older pictures show the less damaged headstone reading “Simon Schmitt.”
With the spelling it seems they are likely different families, but I know several instances where headstones were spelled incorrectly so there is still a possibility.
Empire City is an article I want to update as I have more references in my library. That would sure make a heck of a story!