Central Pacific stations Palisade to Golconda
Your Guide Book to the Pacific Railroad, 1879
Stations in Nevada
Palisade to Golconda
PALISADE
(576 miles from San Francisco, elevation 4,841 feet)
It is the initial point of the Eureka & Palisade
Railroad, is a growing little place between the wall rocks of the river, and has
a population of from 150 to 200 souls. It has one or two hotels or
lodging-houses, stores, saloons, and two large freight depots. The new station
house, the finest on the road is used by both the Central Pacific and Eureka
& Palisade Railroad.
BEOWAWE
(556 miles from San Francisco, elevation 4,695 feet)
It has a hotel, a few dwellings, and is the station where
the business of the Cortez Mining District is transacted. There is no regular
stage line, but private conveyances may be obtained.
The
Maiden's Grave
On a low
point of land that juts out toward the river on the south side of the track is
the Maiden's Grave.
Tradition has it that she was one of a party of emigrants
from Missouri, and while they were in camp, she sickened and died.
Her loving friends laid her away to rest in a grave in plain
site of the valley for miles in either direction. But while her remains were
crumbling into dust, the railroad builders came along, and found the low mound,
and the decayed head-board which marked her resting place.
With that admiration of, and devotion to women, which
characterizes American citizens of even humble origin, they made a new grave and
surrounded it with an enclosure, a picket fence painted white.
They erected a cross, which bears on one side, this legend, "The
Maiden's Grave," and on the other, her name, "Lucinda Duncan.
All honor to the men, whose respect for the true woman
led them to the performance of this praiseworthy act.
The location of the grave is near Beowawe, and the point is
now used as a burial ground by the people living in the vicinity.
SHOSHONE
(546 miles from San Francisco, elevation 4,636 feet)
It is simply a side track station. This is one of the
landmarks on the dividing line between the Shoshone and Piute tribes of Indians;
but the line we consider purely imaginary, from the fact that Indians, as a
general thing, go where they please in this country, lines or no lines.
ARGENTA
(535 miles from San Francisco, elevation 4,548 feet)
It is simply a side track station, where considerable hay
is shipped.
BATTLE
MOUNTAIN (524 miles from San Francisco, elevation 4,511 feet)
Battle Mountain is the regular dinner station on the line
of the road, and the passenger will dine at a very cosy and attractive place.
Travelers will occasionally have a great deal of fun
listening to the talk of the Chinese waiters.
STONE
HOUSE (504 miles from San Francisco, elevation 4,422 feet)
This was not an old trading post, but a station in former
times of the Overland Stage Company, and the house, built of stone was one of
the eating-houses on their line, where travelers could relish square meals of
bacon and coffee with safety.
However, quite a number of skirmishes are reported to have taken
place near this station, and the graves in the vicinity tell of the number who
were killed, or died here on their journey to the golden shores of the Pacific.
GOLCONDA
(478 miles from San Francisco, elevation 4,385 feet)
The little town here has one or two stores, a hotel,
several adobe houses and the usual railroad conveniences.