Buckland's Station

Samuel S. Buckland left his home in Ohio in 1850 at age twenty-four.  He traveled south, got on a boat, sailed through the Panama Canal and wound up in California.  Later, he ventured into the western part of the Utah Territory, which would eventually become Nevada, and established a ranch along the Carson River at a logical stopping off place for hundreds of travelers who crossed the Great Basin on their way west.  In 1860 he built a log cabin for his family, a store and saloon for the travelers and corrals for cattle and horses.  He named the property Buckland’s Station. Then the enterprising Buckland constructed a bridge across the Carson River and charged a toll to cross: $.25 for pedestrians, $1.00 for buggies, $1.50 for light wagons and $2.00 for heavy wagons.  Before crossing the river, travelers stopped at the station and replaced their trail weary animals, replenished supplies, and swigged down rotgut whiskey.

    Until 1861 when nearby Fort Churchill was established, Buckland’s cabin served as a Pony Express Station, where riders changed horses.  Two months after beginning operation the station witnessed a remarkable feat of horsemanship.  “Pony Bob” Halsam, one of the most famous Pony Express riders, made the fastest trip ever, galloping 120 miles in 8 hours and 20 minutes - the message Halsam carried, Lincoln’s Inaugural Address.

    The lead picture isn't the original building on the property.  This house was constructed years later when Buckland acquired all of Fort Churchill’s buildings in 1870.  The army abandoned the fort that year and Buckland paid $750 for the privilege of carting away doors, windows, lumber and hardware.  He moved his family into the new building and rented out extra rooms to travelers.  Samuel Buckland, his wife Eliza, and six of their nine children are buried in the cemetery at  Fort Churchill.      

    In 1994, the Nevada Division of State Parks acquired the building.  Not long ago it was jacked up and given a new foundation and paint job.  Today it's all spruced up and is the interpretive center for the Fort Churchill State Historic Park.  Too bad, I liked the old look better, something about aging wood and peeling paint that gets to me.

Q