"Here's one that's easily forgotten. In fact, I was on my way back home and had to turn back around. And with that its placement is a bit awkward. I'm noticing there are quite a few cars parked at the Luther Canyon Trailhead, a popular hiking trail. Luther Canyon is quite scenic, and the marker might be better placed at the trailhead. Before starting off, why not read up on the history of the same canyon you're about to hike? Just an idea ..." -- August 2007

Along SR 206, 10.1 miles south of Genoa Douglas   38.870492, -119.809462

Original Date Visited: 8/15/07
Last Confirmed: 10/14/22
Signed: Both lanes of SR 206

   Marker Superlative

- 118 - is the westernnmost Nevada historical marker -- 980 feet east of the California state line!

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This marker uniquely represents a famous outlaw and cattle rustler! The severely faded sign of Marker 118 The white barn in the background is the original barn belonging to Sam Brown

Exact Description:
Luther Canyon, west of this site, takes its name from Ira M. Luther, who from 1858-1865 had a sawmill there. The house across the road (east) was his home. After 1865, the canyon came to be known as Horse Thief Canyon, because of the "business" of John and Lute Olds, owners of the next ranch south. Besides operating a station along the Emigrant Trail for a number of years, they rustled horses from emigrants. The animals were sent up the canyon to drift over the ridge into Horse Thief Meadows; after resting and feeding, the horses were driven down to Woodfords Canyon to sell to other emigrants. A prospector called Saw Tooth was allegedly murdered and buried in the barn south of the Luther house. Sam Brown, a notorious badman, was shot and killed in front of the Olds barn in 1861 by a man he threatened. "Lucky Bill" Thorington, implicated in a murder in California, for which he was hanged by vigilantes in 1858, had a ranch two and a half miles to the south--and the pioneers called the school district "Fairview."

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Henry Van Sickle just a few years after his run-in with outlaw Sam Brown

Next Marker

REUEL COLT GRIDLEY (CITIZEN EXTRAORDINAIRE)

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Related Links & Markers:

- 207 - Carson Valley  A hike up the Luther-Fay Trail   The Demise of Sam Brown 

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