History of Carson City, Nevada in Timeline

Carson City, Nevada, is the state's capital and 6th most populous city, with a population of 58,639 as of 2020. Located in Eagle Valley near the Sierra Nevada's Carson Range, about 30 miles south of Reno, it began as a stopover for California-bound immigrants. Its growth was spurred by the Comstock Lode silver strike. Carson City has been Nevada's capital since 1861 and was a significant hub for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad for a considerable amount of time. The city is named after mountain man Kit Carson.

1909: Death of William M. Stewart

Carson City lawyer William M. Stewart, who had escorted territorial governor James W. Nye from San Francisco, California, died in 1909.

1930: Carson City Population Decline

By 1930, Carson City's population had dropped to just over 1,500 people, and the city began advertising itself as "America's smallest capital."

July 19, 1931: Hottest temperature recorded

On July 19, 1931, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Carson City was 107 °F (41.7 °C).

1931: Legalization of Gambling

In 1931, gambling was legalized in Nevada, leading to increased tourism in Carson City.

December 12, 1932: Lowest Maximum Temperature

On December 12, 1932, the lowest maximum temperature ever recorded in Carson City was 5 °F or −15 °C.

January 1937: Second coldest month

January 1937 was the second coldest month in Carson City with a mean temperature of 14.9 °F (−9.5 °C).

January 21, 1937: Coldest temperature recorded

On January 21, 1937, the coldest temperature ever recorded in Carson City was −27 °F or −32.8 °C.

July 1937: Start of the wettest rain year

July 1937 marks the start of the wettest rain year with 19.36 inches (491.7 mm) of precipitation, lasting until June 1938.

June 1938: End of the wettest rain year

June 1938 marks the end of the wettest rain year, which began in July 1937, with a total of 19.36 inches (491.7 mm) of precipitation.

1939: Start of World War II

World War II began in 1939, which eventually contributed to the slow growth of Carson City's population.

1941: Start of World War II

World War II began in 1941, which eventually contributed to the slow growth of Carson City's population.

1945: End of World War II

World War II ended in 1945, after which Carson City slowly grew.

January 1949: Coldest Month

January 1949 was recorded as the coldest month in Carson City with an average temperature of 12.6 °F (−10.8 °C).

1950: Virginia and Truckee Railroad Shut Down

In 1950, the Virginia and Truckee Railroad was shut down, ending passenger train service to Carson City.

1950: Removal of Virginia and Truckee Railroad tracks

In 1950, the tracks for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad were removed, marking the end of Carson City's time as a hub for the railroad.

1950: Most precipitation in one day

On November 19, 1950, Carson City experienced the most precipitation in one day, with 3.12 inches or 79.2 millimeters.

July 1951: Start of the period with the most snowfall

July 1951 marks the start of the period with the most snowfall, 82.1 inches (2.1 m), lasting until June 1952.

March 1952: Most snowfall in one month

In March 1952, Carson City experienced the most snowfall in one month, with 34.5 inches or 0.88 meters.

June 1952: End of the period with the most snowfall

June 1952 marks the end of the period with the most snowfall, which began in July 1951, with a total of 82.1 inches (2.1 m).

December 1955: Most precipitation in one month

In December 1955, Carson City experienced the most precipitation in one month, with 10.39 inches or 263.9 millimeters.

1960: Carson City Population Reaches Former Size

By 1960, Carson City had reached its former 1880 mining boom-town era population size.

1960: Carson City's population compared to Ormsby County

By the 1960 census, all but 2,900 of Ormsby County's residents lived in Carson City.

1964: Last Democrat win before Obama

Before Barack Obama's victory in 2008, the last time a Democrat won Ormsby County/Carson City was in 1964.

1966: Statewide Referendum Approves Merger

In 1966, a statewide referendum approved the merger of Ormsby County and Carson City.

1968: Constitutional Amendment Passed

In 1968, the required constitutional amendment was passed, paving the way for the merger of Ormsby County and Carson City.

April 1, 1969: Ormsby County and Carson City Merge

On April 1, 1969, Ormsby County and Carson City officially merged to become the Consolidated Municipality of Carson City.

1969: Consolidation of Ormsby County with Carson City

In 1969, Ormsby County consolidated with Carson City, and the county simultaneously dissolved. The city is now governed by a five-member board of supervisors.

1969: Carson City and Ormsby County Merger

In 1969, after a referendum, the state legislature merged Carson City and Ormsby County into the Carson City Consolidated Municipality.

July 1971: Start of the driest rain year

July 1971 marks the start of the driest rain year with 3.48 inches (88.4 mm) of precipitation, lasting until June 1972.

June 1972: End of the driest rain year

June 1972 marks the end of the driest rain year, which began in July 1971, with a total of 3.48 inches (88.4 mm) of precipitation.

1972: Completion of the Ormsby House

In 1972, the Ormsby House, which is the tallest building in downtown Carson City, was completed.

1984: Start of Average Temperature Increase

In 1984, the average temperature began increasing in Carson City.

1987: Creation of Bullfrog County

In 1987, the state government carved Yucca Mountain out of Nye County and created Bullfrog County, with Carson City as its county seat.

1989: Bullfrog County Deemed Unconstitutional

In 1989, a state judge found the creation of Bullfrog County unconstitutional, and its territory was retroceded to Nye County.

December 22, 1990: Lowest Maximum Temperature

On December 22, 1990, the lowest maximum temperature ever recorded in Carson City was 5 °F or −15 °C.

1990: Last time a Democratic Governor won the county

The last time Carson City voted for a Democratic governor was in 1990 when Bob Miller won every county.

1991: Adoption of Downtown Master Plan

In 1991, Carson City adopted a downtown master plan that restricted the height of new buildings near the Capitol.

2000: Household Data from 2000 Census

According to the 2000 census, there were 20,171 households in Carson City, with an average household size of 2.44 and an average family size of 2.97. The median age was 39 years.

July 2002: Start of the period with the least snowfall

July 2002 marks the start of the period with the least snowfall, 3.1 inches (0.079 m), lasting until June 2003.

June 2003: End of the period with the least snowfall

June 2003 marks the end of the period with the least snowfall, which began in July 2002, with a total of 3.1 inches (0.079 m).

2004: Presidential Election Results

In 2004, George W. Bush defeated John Kerry in Carson City with 57% of the vote to Kerry's 40%.

October 2005: Opening of the Jump Around Carson Bus System

In October 2005, Carson City's first modern bus system, Jump Around Carson, or JAC, opened to the public using a smaller urban bus.

February 2006: Completion of Phase 1 of the Carson City Freeway Project

In February 2006, Phase 1 of the Carson City Freeway Project, running from US 395 just north of the city to US 50, was completed.

2006: Greyhound Lines Stops Bus Services

In 2006, Greyhound Lines stopped their bus services to Carson City.

2008: Amtrak Discontinues Thruway Bus to Sacramento

In 2008, Amtrak discontinued their connecting thruway bus service to Sacramento, California.

2008: Obama's Victory in Ormsby County/Carson City

In 2008, Barack Obama became the first Democrat since 1964 to win Ormsby County/Carson City, defeating John McCain by 204 votes.

September 24, 2009: Opening of Phase 2A of the Carson City Freeway Project

On September 24, 2009, Phase 2A of the Carson City Freeway Project, extending from Route 50 to Fairview Drive, was officially opened.

2010: Language Data from 2010 Census

As of 2010, 82.3% of Carson City residents age 5 and older spoke English at home as a first language, while 14.1% spoke Spanish.

2010: Census data from 2010

As of the 2010 census, Carson City had a population of 55,274 people, with a population density of 366 people per square mile, and a racial makeup of 81.1% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 2.4% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 9.4% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races.

2012: I-580 Extended into Carson City Limits

Prior to 2012, Carson City was one of only five state capitals not directly served by an interstate highway until I-580 was extended into the city limits in 2012.

2012: Notable Employers

The text mentions that a list of notable employers in Carson City would be provided from the fourth quarter of 2012.

2014: Significant Temperature Increase

Between 1984 and 2014, the average temperature in Carson City increased by 4.1 °F (2.3 °C).

August 2017: Completion of Phase 2B of the Carson City Freeway Project

In August 2017, Phase 2B of the Carson City Freeway Project, running from Fairview Drive to Route 50, was completed.

2019: Carson Montessori School Receives Governor's STEM Schools Designation

In 2019, Carson Montessori School received the Governor's STEM Schools Designation, an official recognition given to 25 schools statewide which causes a short ceremony attended by the governor during which receiving schools are assigned a 10-foot (3 m) banner.

2020: Population Data from 2020 Census

As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 58,639, with a median age of 43.9 years, and a diverse age distribution.

2020: 2020 Census

In 2020, the Carson City population was 58,639, making it the 6th most populous city in Nevada.

2020: Ancestry Data from 2020

In 2020, the most reported ancestries in Carson City were Mexican (19.6%), English (17%), German (15.3%), Irish (14%), Italian (5.5%), and Scottish (3.8%).