Fort Churchill and Dayton State Parks

On our way from Walker SRA to Dayton State Park we decide to stop in at Buckland Station and Fort Churchill Historic State Park to experience the history these sites showcase.

Buckland Station

After settling here in 1859 Samuel Buckland established one of the earliest ranches in the area. Not unexpectedly, his ranch quickly became an important way station for pioneer travelers on the Overland Route. The Overland Stage Company even kept horses at the station and the Pony Express stopped here to change their mounts. Samuel also established a tent hotel for weary travelers.

In 1864, Sam along with his wife Eliza opened a store to disperse goods to travelers, neighbors, and the soldiers at the nearby Fort Churchill. A few years later, Sam built the two story house seen below using salvaged materials from Fort Churchill as it was being dismantled. The family then moved into the house and rented rooms to travelers.

Unfortunately, the station is unexpectedly closed to visitors today, so aren’t able to check out the inside.

Orchard Day Use Area

Directly across the road is the “Orchard Day Use” picnic and rest area; which contains a few old buildings, some antique farm equipment, and an old buckboard wagon with a very scenic backdrop.

Fort Churchill Historic State Park

An unexpected surprise

Our next stop, which is only a few miles up the road, is Fort Churchill Historic State Park. And as I exit the truck, I hear a hissing sound that I know means our day just got a little more stressful. You guessed it, it’s a flat tire! Thank goodness, we only went a few miles between sites.

But, my wonderful partner just shook his head and got to work plugging it, and airing it back up. Such a wonderful man!

The Fort

Established in 1860 the desert outpost was erected to guard the Pony Express, the telegraph lines, protect California-bound emigrants, and settle disputes. It housed hundreds of soldiers over the years to help guard the settlers from the frequent attacks by the natives as well as during the civil war.

Adobe buildings were erected on stone foundations in the form of a square, facing a central parade ground.

There is also a cemetery onsite. The soldiers originally buried here were moved to Carson City in 1884 after the fort was abandoned. But, it still contains the remains of the Buckland family.

The site also showcases some of the artillery used during the era.

The fort was named after the Inspector General of the US Army.

Dayton State Park

Dayton State Park is only 160 acres of the typical Great Basin desert topography. The lower park borders the Carson River and includes a 10 site campground, a group picnic pavilion, a small garden, and a few walking trails. We were lucky enough to see a small herd of wild horses while we were here.

The upper park is the site of an old rock mill at the foot of the Virginia Mountains. It is one of the earliest, large rock mills in the area and was used to crush ore from the Comstock mines. Unfortunately, the trail going from the lower to upper portions of the park is completely grown over and impassable. So, we had to settle for zoomed pictures to get an idea of these ruins.

I have to say these few stops held some really incredible scenery as well as history. But, so much of them were closed, and add getting a flat tire for our efforts to see them, it was overall disappointing. Very unusual for what we’ve come to expect from the Nevada State Park System.

At least we were able to get the tire replaced the same day, so we didn’t have to worry about towing any further on a plugged tire.

Next stop… Washoe Lake State Park and the Lake Tahoe area.