Welcome to Franktown
(elevation 5072')
Nevada State Historical Marker No. 114
Franktown is one of the oldest communities in Nevada, "established by Orson Hyde, probate judge of Carson County, Utah Territory in the Wassau Valley, (Washoe Valley) in 1855." This town came into existence with the construction of a sawmill, which became an important enterprise in furnishing timber to the Comstock mines. The Dall Mill, a quartz mill of sixty stamps, employed hundreds of workmen shortly after, and Franktown seemed to be destined for greatness. Franktown's idyllic location, at the edge of the pine forest, afforded hundreds of acres of fertile agriculture thanks to the valley's cool climate. The community flourished further with the completion of the railroad from Carson City to Virginia City in 1869.
The milling business rapidly lost its importance over time and the once prosperous town declined. Today, Franktown is a shadow of what it was and known mostly for its prime real estate. Many of the same ranches that thrived in former Franktown still survive, passed down from relatives of yesteryear. Aside from these ranches, all that remains of Franktown is a small cemetery in the pine forest west of Franktown Road. The cemetery is hidden by a locked gate and permission is often required to see it.
This marker was one of 116 historical markers replaced throughout the state as part of Nevada's year-long susquicentennial celebration in 2014-2015. The Nevada 150 Commission raised private sector funds for the celebration along with legacy projects like this one. The Nevada 150 Commission contributed $165,000 to the project along with in-kind donations valued at more than $50,000 from YESCO, helping to significantly speed up the normal process of historic marker replacement.
The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) budget typically allows for the replacement of only 1-2 markers per year. Many more are constantly in need of replacement due to vandalism, disrepair or outdated wording. If not for these contributions it would have taken 60-100 years to replace this many signs based on the current budget and schedule.