Common name: Brougher-Bath Mansion
Historic name: Wilson Brougher House
General Location: Northwest corner of Curry and Spear Streets, Carson City, Nevada
Address: 204 West Spear Streets
Assessor's PN: 003-222-04
Current use: Hotel
Original use: Residence
Year of construction: between 1903 and 1907
Architect: Unknown
The structure is a particularly large and impressive representative of Colonial Revival and Queen Ann styles. The round tower with conical roof topped with a finial is a standard Queen Ann feature, while the Classical detailing is Colonial Revival in this context. The surface of the two-story wood frame structure is narrow clapboard siding and the foundation is stone. An open two-story circular tower protects the first floor entry and provides a covered second floor balcony. Balustrades with turned posts connect the tall turned columns with capitals, and a large round window on the second floor is flanked by two oval ones. The doorway of the first floor entrance is decorated with fine stained glass. A shallow two story slanted bay projects from the rear of the building and sits on a base of rusticated stone. Roof forms are gabled and conical. A large scaled dentil course and series of brackets beneath the cornice encircle the building at the eaves. A large arched window, flanked with smaller rectangular windows is centered on the first floor of the tower.
There are additions to the north and rear and there are small out buildings on the property.
The structure is larger and taller than immediately adjacent structures but stands across the street from the Carson Nugget casino parking lot and other two- and three-story buildings that front on Carson Street, and therefore it visually relates commercial and residential neighborhood components.
The structure was built shortly after the turn of the century by Wilson Brougher, a state senator, who became wealthy during the Tonopah bonanza. Brougher came to Carson City as the proprietor of the Arlington Hotel on North Carson Street and built his home behind the hotel (since razed and now the Carson Nugget parking lot). The property was acquired by postmaster Ernest Bath in 1937, hence the designation Brougher.
The structure is the largest and finest example of its style in the city. Its design is very unusual and displays boldness in its composition. The juxtaposition and visual counterpoint of entrance porch and tower provides a strong and unusual design focus. The quality of craftsmanship of the building is high and contains some exceptionally fine work, such as the stained glass windows.
Sources: Carson City Historic Tour; Don Ford; Sanborn maps; Phyllis and Lou Zauner.
Listed in the National Historic Register: 1980 August 11.
City Landmark: Kit Carson Trail, Plaque No. 49.
Year of construction: 1903-04 or 1907 (factual, depending on the source), built on the original site.
Architect: Unknown.
Text: Carson City Historic Resources Inventory, 1980.