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ENLARGE
The Henry Marvin Yerington House, 512 North Division St., is located at the southwest corner of Division and Robinson streets and was constructed in 1863. It's one of three sites being recognized with a Carson City Historic Preservation Award.
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ENLARGE
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photos by Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal Lauren Jahn takes a moment to check his work after repainting one of the 16 decorative patterns on the ceiling of the McKeen Motor Car. The 1910-style patterns can take up to six hours each to complete and are an exact replica of the car's original pattern.
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Two historic structures and one rare conveyance will be recognized by the Carson City Board of Supervisors this week.
The Henry Marvin Yerington house, Beck-Barber-Belknap house and the McKeen Motor Car are being singled out as sites best reflecting the ideals of historic preservation. National Historic Month is celebrated every May and the local awards have been given out since 2001.
"One of the relevant themes was a consistent preservation ethic," said Michael Drews, chairman of the Historic Resources Commission.
Going out to see this year's nominees brought about a discovery -and eventually might bring added rules about the renovation of properties in the city's historic district.
Some of the structures in the district looked historically accurate but weren't. This is because a window frame or fence had been replaced with modern vinyl, Drews said.
An addition might look right from a distance, and be the correct shape and color. But additions should also match the historic period texturally and be of wood or glass - products that existed when a given building was constructed, he said.
"You get up-close and it's not appropriate," he said. "It might not sound like it's that big, but it really is."
Three other sites were nominated this year: The Cactus Jack's Senator Sign at the southwest corner of Carson and Spear streets; the Carson Nugget sign at the southeast corner of Carson and Robinson streets; and the Fellows building at the west side of Minnesota, between Musser and Telegraph streets.
One of the commissioners was leery about giving the award to signs, for example, because they aren't considered architecture. These types of sites could end up receiving awards in the future, however. Early neon signs are becoming more rare. They are artistically important and integral design elements, Drews emphasized.
Carson residents with nomination suggestions are asked to explain why they believe someone or something deserves recognition and present the ideas for consideration.
The Henry Marvin Yerington house, Beck-Barber-Belknap house and the McKeen Motor Car are being singled out as sites best reflecting the ideals of historic preservation. National Historic Month is celebrated every May and the local awards have been given out since 2001.
"One of the relevant themes was a consistent preservation ethic," said Michael Drews, chairman of the Historic Resources Commission.
Going out to see this year's nominees brought about a discovery -and eventually might bring added rules about the renovation of properties in the city's historic district.
Some of the structures in the district looked historically accurate but weren't. This is because a window frame or fence had been replaced with modern vinyl, Drews said.
An addition might look right from a distance, and be the correct shape and color. But additions should also match the historic period texturally and be of wood or glass - products that existed when a given building was constructed, he said.
"You get up-close and it's not appropriate," he said. "It might not sound like it's that big, but it really is."
Three other sites were nominated this year: The Cactus Jack's Senator Sign at the southwest corner of Carson and Spear streets; the Carson Nugget sign at the southeast corner of Carson and Robinson streets; and the Fellows building at the west side of Minnesota, between Musser and Telegraph streets.
One of the commissioners was leery about giving the award to signs, for example, because they aren't considered architecture. These types of sites could end up receiving awards in the future, however. Early neon signs are becoming more rare. They are artistically important and integral design elements, Drews emphasized.
Carson residents with nomination suggestions are asked to explain why they believe someone or something deserves recognition and present the ideas for consideration.
The nomination doesn't have to be for a person or project within the historic district. There is no need for the nomination to be focused on something completed during the past year, he said.
Though this year's winners were nominees suggested by commission members, who also voted to approve the same sites, the awards now have an Internet presence on the city's Web site. The commission encourages residents to make submissions throughout the year.
"It's not just our district, it's everybody's," Drews added.
Visit the Web site at: http://www.carson-city.nv.us/Index.aspx?page=1461or contact the Planning Division at 887-2180. There are also pictures of the winning sites on display at City Hall, 201 N. Carson St.
• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.
If you go
WHAT: Carson City Board of Supervisors meetingWHEN: 9:45 a.m. ThursdayWHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.
See Selections:
www.carson-city.nv.us/Index.aspx?page=1461 or contact the Planning Division at 887-2180. There are also pictures of the winning sites on display at City Hall, 201 N. Carson St.
Though this year's winners were nominees suggested by commission members, who also voted to approve the same sites, the awards now have an Internet presence on the city's Web site. The commission encourages residents to make submissions throughout the year.
"It's not just our district, it's everybody's," Drews added.
Visit the Web site at: http://www.carson-city.nv.us/Index.aspx?page=1461or contact the Planning Division at 887-2180. There are also pictures of the winning sites on display at City Hall, 201 N. Carson St.
• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.
If you go
WHAT: Carson City Board of Supervisors meetingWHEN: 9:45 a.m. ThursdayWHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.
See Selections:
www.carson-city.nv.us/Index.aspx?page=1461 or contact the Planning Division at 887-2180. There are also pictures of the winning sites on display at City Hall, 201 N. Carson St.
Beck-Barber-Belknap House
1206 N. Nevada St., located on the northwest corner of John and Minnesota streets
The Beck-Barber-Belknap House was built by the Barber family around 1875. It's an example of Second Empire style, distinctive because of its Mansard roof.
Peter Smith and Patricia Cooper-Smith bought the house in December 1996. While he wanted an older house to fix up, "I fell in love with it," Cooper-Smith said.
It has been featured on public television's "House With a History" program.
"When we bought the house we put a lot of work in it," she said. "We had to put in insulation, new wiring, plumbing, walls."
Smith is a former member of the Historic Resources Commission.
"We like it," Cooper-Smith said. "The yard is fabulous."
After Supreme Court Justice Charles Belknap acquired the house in 1885, three rooms were added. Belknap was married to Virginia, the daughter of Gov. Lewis Rice Bradley.
Years later, when George and Dorcas Criteser owned the property, an amateur radio tower was constructed. The tower was used to receive communications from American troops during the Vietnam War.
It's on the national and state registers of historic places.
Henry Marvin Yerington House
512 N. Division St., southwest corner of Division and Robinson streets
This property is historically known as the Henry Marvin Yerington House and was constructed in 1863.
Thomas Haydon, a noted Carson City lawyer, built the original structure. Yerington purchased the home in 1869 and made additions to it.
Yerington is an important historical figure. He's associated with major mining and lumber interests and was a superintendent and vice president of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.
He drove the first spike in September 1869 on the first rail of the famous rail line.
"The building is just beautiful," said Michael Drews, chairman of the city's Historic Resources Commission. "And it's location is pretty prominent in the district."
The primarily one-story building has a partial second floor under a gable roof. Its ornate style is Greek Revival, Gothic Revival and Italianate.
It's on the national and state registers of historic places.
Henry Marvin Yerington House
512 N. Division St., southwest corner of Division and Robinson streets
This property is historically known as the Henry Marvin Yerington House and was constructed in 1863.
Thomas Haydon, a noted Carson City lawyer, built the original structure. Yerington purchased the home in 1869 and made additions to it.
Yerington is an important historical figure. He's associated with major mining and lumber interests and was a superintendent and vice president of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.
He drove the first spike in September 1869 on the first rail of the famous rail line.
"The building is just beautiful," said Michael Drews, chairman of the city's Historic Resources Commission. "And it's location is pretty prominent in the district."
The primarily one-story building has a partial second floor under a gable roof. Its ornate style is Greek Revival, Gothic Revival and Italianate.
"It's continually maintained," Drews said.
Its listed owner is the Thomas Family Trust. Northern Nevada Title Co. occupies it.
McKeen Motorcar No. 22
Nevada State Railroad Museum 2180 S. Carson St., at Fairview Drive
McKeen Motor Car No. 22 was built in 1909. The self-propelled motor car began service in 1910 on the V&T and came off the rails in 1945.
It was converted into a diner that sat on north Carson Street until 1957, when Al Bernhard acquired it and incorporated it into a building at his plumbing business. Bernhard donated the car to the Nevada State Railroad Museum in 1996.
The car is being restored and museum officials expect the work to be complete by 2008. A second McKeen was purchased for $10,000 to provide parts for the restoration project by the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum.
Cost to restore the car is expected to reach $1 million. This money has come from private donors, the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum and the state.
"We're seeking national historic landmark status," said Peter Barton, director of the Nevada State Railroad Museum. "It would be the first piece of operating equipment to obtain that status."
Its listed owner is the Thomas Family Trust. Northern Nevada Title Co. occupies it.
McKeen Motorcar No. 22
Nevada State Railroad Museum 2180 S. Carson St., at Fairview Drive
McKeen Motor Car No. 22 was built in 1909. The self-propelled motor car began service in 1910 on the V&T and came off the rails in 1945.
It was converted into a diner that sat on north Carson Street until 1957, when Al Bernhard acquired it and incorporated it into a building at his plumbing business. Bernhard donated the car to the Nevada State Railroad Museum in 1996.
The car is being restored and museum officials expect the work to be complete by 2008. A second McKeen was purchased for $10,000 to provide parts for the restoration project by the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum.
Cost to restore the car is expected to reach $1 million. This money has come from private donors, the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum and the state.
"We're seeking national historic landmark status," said Peter Barton, director of the Nevada State Railroad Museum. "It would be the first piece of operating equipment to obtain that status."
