"If you think about it, early settlers couldn't have picked a better location for a settlement. Nearby streams water thousands of acres that are ideal for raising cattle and growing goods, and the dense pine forests supplied decent lumber. Even today. Many of us making the drive between Reno and Carson like a break from the freeway every now and then. Franktown and the "outskirts" of Washoe Valley are the ideal anecdotes." -- September 2007

Along US 395 ALT, 9.2 miles north of Carson City

Reno & Washoe County
39.271438, -119.840812

Original Date Visited: 9/15/07
Last Confirmed: 11/22/22
Signed: Southbound lane of US 395 ALT.

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

Marker 114 represents one of the oldest communities in the state Marker 114 leaves a bit to be desired. Most of the magic sit in the woods opposite the marker. The forested slopes of Franktown and the Carson Range

Exact Description:
Franktown was established by Orson Hyde, probate judge of Carson County, Utah Territory in the Wassau Valley, (Washoe Valley) in 1855.

A sawmill was built and became an important enterprise in furnishing timber to the Comstock mines. The Dall Mill, a quartz mill of sixty stamps, employed hundreds of workmen.

Fertile farms surrounded the town.

With the completion of the railroad from Carson City to Virginia City in 1869, the milling business rapidly lost its importance and the once prosperous town declined.

This is all that remains of the old town of Ophir, a sister community to Franktown. About 50,000 commuters a day pass by this unassuming stand of ruins in Washoe Valley every single day.

A Visit to Franktown

The following images are all that remain of the old community of Franktown, arguably, the first Comstock community in western Nevada!

Today, Franktown consists of a picturesque cemetery locked away deep in the pine trees west of Franktown Road (SR 874) at the end of a private road. Finding the cemetery, or any information about how to find it the cemetery, is a feat in and of itself! in fact, see my Google Review here. Although the cemetery is sizeable, only half a dozen or so headstones remain. To honor these private property issues and the fickle land ownerships of the area, I ask that you email me personally for directions if you're interested in finding this cemetery. I took these pictures back in 2010 when I was able to get access to the cemetery by one passionate landowner.

Check out the other fascinating links below from some fellow ghost towners and friends of the website!

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POTOSI

Related Links & Markers:

Orson Hyde's Curse on Washoe Valley Franktown - Nevada Ghost Towns & Beyond Around Carson (History around Washoe Valley)

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