[
Main ] [Business Directory ] [ Mason
Valley Map ] [
Photos ] [ Events
] [History & Demographics]
[ The County ] |
Mason Valley History & Demographics |
YERINGTON A Community
Located in a Majestic Setting Where People Make the Difference A Region Rich
in History and Western Lore John
C Fremont made the first recorded account of this region in 1844. He
was on his second expedition to explore and map the “West” and followed
the course of the This
valley was later named after it’s first settler,
N.H. A. “Hock” Mason, who saw the area in 1854 while on a cattle drive
to Just
north of In
early 1870’s a willow-thatched saloon which, according to the locals,
served a beverage like poison (pizen) gave the town its first name,
Pizen Switch. As the town grew larger the more respectable name, During
the late 1800’s the Indian Paiute messiah, Wovoka, lived in this region.
In 1889, Wovoka claimed to have a vision in which he was instructed
to teach a new dance (Ghost Dance Religion) that would restore to the
Native Americans their old way of life. Although a peaceful dance and
movement, the whites misinterpreted the movement, thus culminating in
the killing of Sitting Bull. Today the “Spirit of Wovoka” is celebrated
annually with an August powwow. The
area also has a rich mining history stemming from the gold at Pine Grove
and Bluestone at the turn of the century to copper at Today,
Yerington enjoys the diversity of both industrial and agricultural life
styles. Its rich history and culture can be further explored at the
At an elevation of 4,380 feet
above sea level the area is typical of basin and range typography --
lush farmland acreage surrounded by high desert terrain. Locally noted
as being the “banana belt” area, temperatures rarely reach extremes
with moderate temperatures and averaging over 300 days of sunshine. Average annual precipitation
is 5.52”. Temperature averages in January are 46 degrees with July averages
at 92 degrees. The annual snowfall is 10” or less and humidity is low
at 20%. Within a short drive, you can
ski at a world class destination -- Providing convenient municipal services. Yerington is incorporated and
has been the county seat for Full municipal services in
Yerington include police and fire departments, public works, water and
sewer, a mayor, four city councilmen and a city manager. Estimated Population Statistics as of 2000 are: Yerington
3,710 With
approximately 50,000 acres under cultivation for our main crops, which
are: alfalfa, onion, garlic, grains (oat, wheat, barley and other hays)
and potatoes. A Community friendly
to business In Diverse transportation
services are located throughout the county Yerington is located on Highway
95A, 54 miles from I-80 and 30 miles from US 50. Various trucking companies
serve the area daily as well as national parcel carriers. The railroad
located north of town provides daily freight delivery upon demand. Passenger
and parcel bus service provide daily service to The The airport is located approximately
40 air miles south east of There is one paved runway of
5,800 feet in length and 75 feet wide, a 200 foot chevron on each end
of the runway -- combined total pavement of 6200 feet, and a taxiway.
Excellent facility for light to medium size business jets.
Full service FBO with fuel, maintenance, avionics, cafe, lighted runway,
beacon, PAPI lights, unicom and walking distance
from town. Excellent Community
facilities provide convenience. Education: K - 12, various daycare facilities,
and Public Library:
The
Yerington facility is the central branch of the Lyon County Public Library
System. Branches include the towns of Smith, Silver Springs, Fernley,
and Lyon County Museum,
one
of the best in rural Jeanne Dini Yerington
Cultural Center: The newly renovated 1912 historic Yerington Grammar School No. 9 is home
of the 210 seat Jeanne Dini Performing Arts Center equipped with state
of the art lighting and sound systems. The center attracts local as
well as regional productions. Convention /
Community Center: A recently opened facility located
right in the center of downtown Yerington, boasts of its 299 seating
capacity, warming kitchen and full meal catering service. Yerington’s The Older Americans of Lyon County is a non-profit
nutrition program serving up to 125 meals daily at its Yerington dining
facility and its meals on wheels delivery to the homebound. Adjacent
is Yerington Manor, a non-profit apartment facility serving its seniors
on a sliding scale basis. Our seniors take an active role in running
these services as well as contributing to the quality of life within
our community. Many types of
family recreation are offered Golf: In Yerington there is a challenging
18-hole public golf course, which includes driving range, putting green,
and pro shop with complete clubhouse and restaurant facilities. Just
a few miles from town at Parks: We have several parks in our area. Mountain View
Park complete with fishing lake, sheltered
picnic area and horseshoe pit. The Tennis Courts:
There
are (two double, one single) asphalt tennis courts and two practice
courts located near the Baseball, Softball,
and Soccer Fields: Several fields are available for school and league
play. Tournaments are often hosted and several fields have lights for
night play. Archery - Trapshooting:
Each
has an active club with complete ranges available in each sport for
shooting and competition. There is an indoor and outdoor archery range
along with a rifle and pistol range too. Cinema and Bowling
Complex: With its friendly atmosphere, the complex is located right in the heart
of town. The bowling center is a fully automated, synthetic lane facility.
The ABC/WIBC sanctioned lanes have hosted the Nevada State Women’s,
Senior’s and Men’s Tournaments. Several Annual
Events are celebrated throughout the region:
·
Spring Fling Classic Car Show
May
·
Coyote Chase June
·
·
Spirit of Wovoka Powwow August
·
·
Fernley Living History Festival
September
·
·
Silver Springs Stew-Do October With
over 130 motel rooms, 275 RV spaces, the area is an unexpected vacation
oasis situated along the Open public lands
provide limitless outdoor activities. Hiking: Our high desert country promises
challenging and breathtaking hiking terrain. Wildlife and foliage abound
in the surrounding area. Camping: Facilities are available at
all the lakes in the area. Lakes and rivers:
Lakes
Lahontan, Topaz, Tahoe, Pyramid and Fishing: Fishing abounds in the area.
Nearby Hunting: Bird hunting is especially
good around the valley with duck, geese, dove, and pheasant available.
The state operated game ranch attracts sportsman to a fine hunting area. Rock hounding:
The
area abounds in mineral and semi precious gem stones -- minerals such
as malachite, copper, iron pyrite, traces of turquoise, peacock ore
(bornite) and quartz crystals. Jasper, agate
and calcite in several different forms are found in the area. Petrified
wood, petroglyphs, and bones of prehistoric
animals have been discovered. Adventure sports
abound: Plenty of open lands to enjoy rock climbing, mountain bike adventures,
and off road vehicle explorations. Ghost town exploration:
The region is full of history such as the ghost
towns and mine sites of Pine Grove, Ludwig, and Bluestone Mine. Within
a day’s trip you can visit Virginia City, Ft. Churchill and Buckland
Station, Bodie, and Masonic just to name a few. |