"I wonder what prompted the SHPO to place this one just past the entrance booth. Most people headed to Spooner Lake are headed there to park for the day, or for a few hours -- not to turn around. And that is precisely what I had to do. I came here at the wrong time of year when the fees are in full force! Fortunately, the ranger allowed me to enter without paying. If I'd had to pay the entrance fee, this would've been the priciest historical marker I've run across yet!" -- August 2007

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At the entrance to Spooner Lake State Park, 13.4 miles west of Carson City Douglas   39.106390, -119.918780

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Original Date Visited: 8/19/07
Revisited: 9/13/20
Signed: No

Notes: Possible fee required. Good luck trying to spot this one from the highway. In fact, my recommendation is don't! The setting for this marker might be the most exotic in the entire state as it's completely hidden from view among the hugely dense forest. Coupled with the busy traffic along SR 28 save yourself the trouble (and possibly an accident) by having a second set of eyes to help you find this marker because this one is so hidden that people are still finding it to this day. Apparently the SHPO thought it was best to place Mr. 225 alongside the turn-around directly behind the entrance booth, yet not at the actual parking area.

- From US 50, head north on SR 28 for a quick 1/4 mile and turn into the entrance to Spooner Lake State Park on the right. Marker 225 is right behind the entrance booth at the turnaround. During my revisit in 2020, the ranger working at the entrance kiosk had know idea that this marker has been there for upwards of twenty years literally 300 feet from his daily post. Although you might see the marker as you near the entrance booth, it can only be accessed by entering the park itself past this booth. This entrance booth is usually tended during the summer months of May through September, and like the other parks in the area, the rangers here will not allow vehicles, bicyclists, or even hikers in here without paying the fee. According to one of them, "the state parks have really been cracking down on non-tickets lately." However, you may get lucky here. Just tell the ranger that you're only turning around to view the marker and there's a good chance you'll get out of paying the ridiculous $20 vehicle fee.

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Street View

Here's what you'll see!

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The intense green surrounding Marker 225 The bustling logging and lumbering era, circa 1866 Logging in the Spooner Area, circa 1870 It's taken two centuries for the intense second-growth forest to return to the Carson Range. The setting for this marker may be the most exotic in the entire state!

Exact Description:
This area bears the name of Michele E. Spooner, a French Canadian entrepreneur, who, along with others, was instrumental in establishing the wood and lumber industry which supplied the needs of the Comstock mines and mills.

In 1868 Spooner became a partner with Oliver and John Lonkey, the Elliot Brothers, Henry M. Yerington, William Fairburn and Simon Dubois in the Summit Fluming Company and operated a shingle mill and sawmill. In 1870 Yerington, Bliss & Company took over the Summit Fluming Company.

In 1873 another sawmill was erected at Spooner Meadows. Later in 1873, all the mills were taken over by the Carson & Tahoe Lumber and Fluming Company. This company, headquartered at Glenbrook, went on to become the largest of the three huge combines supplying wood and lumber to the Comstock.

The exotic piney settings at Spooner Lake

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Spooner to Marlette Lake

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 COVERED IN MY US 50 ROAD TRIP

Next Marker

DE EK WADAPUSH (CAVE ROCK)

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Related Links & Markers:

 - 193 -- Historic Flume & Lumber Yard   - 219 -- Glenbrook   Spooner Lake State Park - Marlette Backcountry (Nevada State Parks)   Marlette Lake Trail (All Trails)   Timber for the Comstock PDF (Forest History) 

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