Take the tour Visit some of Carson's most historic homes

Sunday is your opportunity to walk through the doors or gates of some of Carson City's most interesting homes and gardens.

It's the Carson City Historical Society's annual "Through the Garden Gate" home and garden tour, co-sponsored by Carson City Redevelopment.

What is it?

A self-guided tour of eight homes or gardens in Carson City. The funds raised from this event will benefit the Carriage House to be built at the location of the Foreman-Roberts House, 1207 N. Carson. As Carson City is celebrating its Sesquicentennial, many of the homes on the tour this year will feature structures from that era.

What will I see?

• The oldest home on the tour is the Smail House (now home of White Cat Antiques). The home was built in 1862, two years before Nevada was a state. It was built by David Smail, a carpenter, who bought the lot for $250, quickly built the home and sold it to John McAvoy for $600. The house is representative of the Greek revival, and stood behind the famous Arlington Hotel for decades.

• The tour also features the Ihfe Garden in Kings Canyon. This is a garden-only tour featured off the Kings Canyon Road. Kings Canyon is west of Eagle Valley and in the Carson Range. Kings Canyon was named for Dr. D. L. King who came to Carson County, Utah Territory in 1852 and ran a public resort. The road is connected to Spooner Summit. The garden location is at the base of Kings Canyon Road (specific directions are given when purchasing tickets).

• Next on the tour is the Roberts House Museum (now called the Foreman-Roberts House) built in 1865 by Solomen Foreman in Old Washoe City and in 1866 purchased by James Doane and Annie Roberts, who used it as a home and boarding house. James Doane Roberts fought with Captain Storey in the Pyramid Lake Battle. During the downturn in Old Washoe City in 1872, the house was moved to Carson City. The home is a fine example of Gothic-Revival. Both home and grounds are open for tour. Tickets for the tour will be on sale here from 11 a.m. on.

• The next oldest home is the Olcovich-Meyers home, which was constructed in 1875, built by Joseph Olcovich, the oldest of the Olcovich brothers who owned a family store at Fourth and Carson Streets, the Sazarac Saloon, a jewelry store and others. The home was later rented to George Meyers in 1885 and sold to him around 1900. The home is one-and-a-half story and features Gothic-influenced architecture. Both the home and garden will be open for tour. David Bugli and trio will be playing here.

• In 1879 the Bliss Mansion was built by Duane Bliss, who was a lumber tycoon. It was built in the area where the railroad men lived, such as H. M. Yerington, and is across the street from the Bender Home (of the V & T). When it was completed in 1879 it was the largest home in the city. There are 21 rooms in this home and was one of the first homes in the West to be piped for gas lighting. It is currently owned by Steve and Cindy Brenaman; Cindy is an artist and will have paintings on display. All three stories of the home will be open, along with the artist loft on the third floor (this used to be the ballroom that was equipped with a stage). The home and garden will be open. Chris Bayer will be playing banjo.

• The Krebs-Peterson home (also the location of John Wayne's last movie, The Shootist) was built in 1914 by Dr. Earnest T. Krebs, who was described as "a free thinker with a fighting spirit." He saved the lives of over 10 million Americans in the flu epidemic of 1918. This is a Victorian two-story home with oval stained glass windows. There is red oak wainscoating throughout done by Burd Lindsay, a longtime Carson City resident and finish carpenter.

• Also built in 1914 was the John Chartz home. It is a lovely two-story, six-room home constructed for Ormsby County District Attorney John Chartz. It is now the home of the Bliss Bungalow, a bed and breakfast, and has been restored to its original beauty.

• Last on the tour is the Greenhouse Garden Center. Tickets are also on sale at this location.

When is it:

The event runs from noon until 5 p.m. Sunday, June 1.

How to get tickets: Tickets are available at the Greenhouse Garden Center (2450 S. Curry), Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau (1900 S. Carson), White Cat Antiques (512 N. Carson) and the Roberts House Museum, (1207 N. Carson 11 a.m. day of tour). The cost is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors over 65 and students, and $5 for children age 6-12 (free for those age 5 and younger).

For further information on tickets, call Dorothy Dolan at (775) 882-1805.