Churchill County Courthouse
Fallon, Churchill County, Nevada
Marker Inscription
Churchill County Courthouse. Churchill County was created by the Territorial Legislature in 1861 but attached to Lyon County for judicial and revenue purposes. Churchill County was organized in 1864 and La Plata served as county seat. In 1868, the local government moved to Stillwater where it remained until March 5, 1903 when Fallon claimed the title.The Neo-Classical Churchill County Courthouse was constructed in 1903 on property donated by Warren and Addie Williams and John Oats. Contractor W.B. Wyrick built the wood building for $7,300 from plans and specifications by Reno architect Benjamin Leon. The building was completed and accepted by county commissioners F.L. Small, Charles L. Allen and E.S. Harriman on February 2, 1904.The building is the only monumental wooden courthouse built in Nevada. It has been in continuous use since opening.
Erected by Churchill County Commissioner
The Story
Churchill County was created in 1861 and its seat wandered—from La Plata to Stillwater—before Fallon claimed the honor in 1903. That year a Neo-Classical courthouse rose on donated land, built in wood by contractor W.B. Wyrick for $7,300 to designs by Reno architect Benjamin Leon, and accepted by the commissioners in early 1904. Remarkably, it remains the only monumental wooden courthouse ever built in Nevada and has served continuously ever since.
Why it matters
A rare surviving wooden courthouse, it embodies how young Western counties built enduring civic institutions with modest means as their communities finally put down roots.
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Related people
- · Warren Williams
- · Addie Williams
- · John Oats
- · W.B. Wyrick
- · Benjamin Leon
Themes & tags
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