Welcome to the Federal Government Building
(1888-1970)
(elevation 4695')
Nevada State Historical Marker No. 75
Welcome to the Paul Laxalt State Building, site of perhaps one of the most inconveniently located Historical Markers in the entire Nevada SHM collection. This marker is a bronze plaque on the front of the Building... with a handrail placed perfectly centered right smack dab in front of the plaque, making it super awkward to read from any angle.
The exterior of the large, beautiful brick building has remained largely unchanged since it opened over a hundred years ago. The building has undergone modifications over its history such as modern restrooms, a larger lobby, and the installation of Carson City's first elevator. After the Post Office was relocated, the building's interior was renovated and the clock tower was restored. It housed the State Library for a time period before becoming the home of the Commission on Tourism and Nevada Magazine.
The Carson City post office is the second oldest Federal Building in the State. It was constructed from 1888 to 1891, and once housed the Post Office, Land Office, Weather Bureau, and US District Court. The building also includes Carson City's only Clock Tower. The building was designed by M.E. Bell; it is the singular example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture.
Paul Laxalt was an American attorney and politician who served as the 22nd Governor of Nevada from 1967 to 1971 and a UNited States Senator representing Nevada from 1974 until 1987. A member of the Republican Party, he was one of Ronald Reagan's closest friends in politics. After Reagan was elected president in 1980, many in the national press referred to Laxalt as "the first friend". He was the older brother of writer Robert Laxalt and grandfather of Adam Laxalt, who served as the 33rd Attorney General of Nevada from 2015 to 2019.
Marker Text:
This imposing public structure, the former United States Post Office and Courthouse, represents the first federal office building constructed in the State of Nevada. Construction began in late 1888 and was completed in 1891 at a cost of $ABC,DEF.GH.
Designed by Mifflin E. Bell, Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department, the building incorporates many elements of the Romanesque Revival style. Subsequent interior designs were made by Bell’s successors, Will Frost and James Windrum.
Thomas P. Hawley was the first United States District Judge to preside in Carson City. The last federal judge to officiate here was Bruce R. Thompson whose court was moved to Reno, August 1965.
This building ceased to serve as a post office in 1970 with William E. Dunfield as Postmaster. Deeded to the State in 1971 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, the Government Building continues to serve the public.
Fill in the missing marker text numbers to solve for the cache coordinates.
FINAL LOCATION:
N 39° 09.(D+H)(A+D)(F-B)
W 119° 45.(F+H)(C+G)(B+E)