Common name: Masonic Lodge, Carson City Lodge No. 1
Historic name: Virginia and Truckee Railroad depot
General Location: Southeast corner of Carson and Washington Streets, Downtown Carson City, Nevada
Address: 729 North Carson Street
Assessor's PN: 004-261-01
Current use: Mixed-use: Fraternal Hall and commercial building
Original use: Principal passenger, mail and freight station
Year of construction: 1872
Pictures of above: 1980 and 1988
The one-story structure is is a vernacular utilitarian building with a broad gabled roof, a hipped portion over the entrance, and a shed roof section on the east. The board and batten surface is reminiscent of Gothic Revival surfacing and the pediment moldings over the windows suggest Greek Revival origins. Windows are double hung with six light over six. Angled brackets support the roof overhang at the eaves.
Some original pedimented openings on the north elevation have been made smaller and the pedimented moldings removed. In some cases the openings have been entirely closed. These modifications have been executed reasonably carefully. A wide metal door without a pediment and a metal door with arched entry and fluted pilaster trim occur at the north elevation, and some windows have been changed. Masonic and real estate signs have been added to the street facade.
The structure is an unusual remnant in this locale, and unrelated to present surroundings in style, scale, material, or character.
The structure, built in 1872, was the headquarters for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad from that date until 1950. As head of that entity, the structure served the railroad needs of both Carson City and Virginia City during their heyday and slack periods. Historically, due to these crucial associations, the structure is highly significant, not only to Carson City, but to the State of Nevada, and part of California as well.
Architecturally, the structure is an almost Classic picture book example of railroad depot design of that era. Despite its length and height, it maintains its human scale, and its image is strongly evocative of its use and its era. As an informational as well as visual resource, the structure is highly significant.
Source: Noreen Humphreys.
Listed in the National Historic Register: 1998 Sep 30.
City Landmark: Kit Carson Trail, Plaque No. 56.
Year of construction: 1872 (factual: Noreen Humphreys), on the original site.
Architect: Unknown.
Text: Carson City Historic Resources Inventory, 1980 & 1988.