The Oldest House in Nevada Is More than 165 Years Old

Modern-day Nevada is known for its desert landscapes, massive casinos, and exciting nightlife. However, the state comes from humble beginnings. Many of the first settlers in the area were Mormon pioneers. When Virginia City struck silver ore Nevada experienced a massive boom.

The small unincorporated town of Genoa is the oldest house in the state of Nevada. It is the home to a beautiful residential building that still stands after 165 years!

History of Nevada

Nevada gained statehood on October 31, 1864, but its history begins long before that day. In the early days, the area was occupied by Native Americans of the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes, according to the State of Nevada (.gov).

The first European settlers to arrive in the area were Spanish. They named the area after the Spanish word for “snowfall” due to the area’s snowy mountains in winter. For a time Nevada belonged to the Viceroyalty of New Spain. It became a part of Mexico in 1821 and eventually was acquired by the United States following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.

During Nevada’s early days as a territory, small Mormon settlements formed along the border to Utah. In 1859, however, the area experienced a boom when silver ore was discovered in Virginia City. After the Civil War, profits in Nevada declined again, until the arrival of big-time gambling in 1931.

Origin of the Oldest House in Nevada — The Pink House

The oldest residential building in Nevada is the Reese-Johnson-Virgin House, also known as the Pink House. It is located in Genoa, NV, a town first settled by Mormon pioneers in the mid-19th century.

According to an article from the Pink House’s website, the home’s fascinating history begins in 1855 when it was constructed by John Reese of Salt Lake City. Reese is said to have established Genoa as a trading post for Gold Rush pioneers. He constructed the Pink House beside his grist mill in the new town.

Since then, a number of notable individuals have lived in the Pink House. In 1870, a local merchant named J.R. Johnson purchased the home with the intention of bringing his family from the East to live with him.

Despite its name, the Pink House wasn’t actually pink until Johnson painted it. He also moved the home to its current location on Genoa Lane. Johnson lived in the Pink House with his family until 1883, when it was purchased by another prominent local named Daniel Webster Virgin.

Virgin became the first district attorney of Douglas County, as well as a judge at the Douglas County courthouse. The Virgin family added several new additions to the Pink House, including a porch with white columns and railings. After Daniel’s death, ownership of the house passed to his daughter Lillian Finnegan.

Since then the Pink House has changed ownership many times. Today it belongs to Dan and Lois Wray. These local business owners partnered with the Douglas County Historical Society and the State Historical Preservation Office to restore the Pink House to its original glory.

Location

The Pink House is located in Genoa, NV in Douglas County. Located on the western side of the state near Lake Tahoe and the border to California, Genoa is actually an unincorporated town. It has a population of only 786 people and is believed to be the oldest town in the state.

Visit the Pink House

Today the Pink House is a hub for entertainment and history, as well as a lasting example of Gothic Revival style architecture.

By day the Pink House functions as a charming and beautiful historic home serving sandwiches, salads, and charcuterie boards. By night it transforms into a sleek speakeasy with live music, craft cocktails, and gourmet pizzas. The Pink House is also available to book for private events and parties and even offers catering for off-site events.

Other Points of Interest in Genoa, NV

There’s plenty to explore in the charming little town of Genoa. In 1919, the town hoped to install electric streetlights. To finance the project Lillian Finnegan suggested holding a dance as a fundraiser. Local women passed out candy to entice guests, and the event was a success.

Today the Candy Dance is an annual event that includes live music, food, and an Arts & Crafts fair. Genoa hosts several other community events and is also home to the Mormon Station State Historic Park and the Genoa Town Park.