[23]       

Humboldt House

Pershing County
  40.598, -118.25219

"... And we wonder why it's been a little rough for our State Marker System. Can this placement be any more ridiculous?" -- Journal Entry, February 2008

Along I-80 @ Exit 138, 38 miles west of Winnemucca.
 Make a right, then a left onto the Frontage Road. Park in front of the NDOT fence yard immediately on your left.

Original Date Visited: 2/25/08

Signed: Eastbound lanes of Interstate 80

Notes: This one has good thing going for it: visible signage from the interstate. At least that's its saving grace because this one has one of the most ridiculous placements anywhere. If you're unfortunate enough to miss the exit to "Humboldt House," you'll have to wait another 7-8 miles to exit the freeway again. That's the worst scenario. Read up, friends.

- Once you do exit the 80, make your way east onto the Frontage Road to an NDOT maintenance yard on your left. Park then walk toward the interstate fence to find this hidden marker directly behind the yard. The SHPO decided on this ridiculous location so the marker would face the original Humboldt House (seen in the bg.), but it would've made more sense to place it on the other side of the freeway directly in front or nearer the original Humboldt House. Thoughts?

  • Rare signage from a freeway
  • Marker 23 plaque
  • The awkward placement of Marker 23
  • Marker 23 literally sits right alongside the interstate

Exact Description:
Humboldt House (or Humboldt Station) was originally the point of departure for Humboldt City, Prince Royal and the mines in that vicinity. In September, 1866, it became a stage stop for historic William (Hill) Beachey Railroad Stage Lines.

As the Central Pacific Railroad advanced from eastern California it reached Humboldt House about September 15, 1868. From 1869 to 1900 Humboldt House was well known as one of the best eating houses on the Central Pacific Railroad. It was truly an oasis in the great Nevada desert, with good water, fruit, vegetables, etc. The large grove of trees to the west marks the site of this famous hostelry.

Between 1841 and 1867, 165,000 Americans traveled the California Emigrant Trail past here. In 1850 on the dreaded 40-Mile Desert southwest of present Lovelock, over 9,700 dead animals and 3,000 abandoned vehicles were counted.

Next Marker:

OLINGHOUSE

Related Links & Markers

 [26] -- Forty Mile Desert 

Have you been to this marker? Tell us all about it here!