[118]       

Luther Canyon (Fay Canyon)

Douglas County
  38.87046,-119.80938

"Here's one that's easily forgotten. In fact, I was on my way back home and had to turn back around. And with that its placement is a bit awkward. I'm noticing there are quite a few cars parked at the Luther Canyon Trailhead, a popular hiking trail. Luther Canyon is quite scenic, and the marker might be better placed at the trailhead. Before starting off, why not read up on the history of the same canyon you're about to hike? Just an idea ..." -- Journal Entry, August 2007

Along SR 206, 2 miles west of SR 88, 10 miles south of Genoa

Original Date Visited: 8/15/07

Signed: Both lanes of SR 206

Notes: This marker was one of thirty markers that was re-vamped in 2015 in celebration of "Battle Born, 150th: A State Sesquicentennial" (as evident by the campaign's logo on the plaque)

  • Marker 118 plaque
  • [118] Luther Canyon is an easily forgotten marker, one that sits on the far outskirts of Carson Valley.

Exact Description:
Luther Canyon, west of this site, takes its name from Ira M. Luther, who from 1858-1865 had a sawmill there. The house across the road (east) was his home. After 1865, the canyon came to be known as Horse Thief Canyon, because of the "business" of John and Lute Olds, owners of the next ranch south. Besides operating a station along the Emigrant Trail for a number of years, they rustled horses from emigrants. The animals were sent up the canyon to drift over the ridge into Horse Thief Meadows; after resting and feeding, the horses were driven down to Woodfords Canyon to sell to other emigrants. A prospector called Saw Tooth was allegedly murdered and buried in the barn south of the Luther house. Sam Brown, a notorious badman, was shot and killed in front of the Olds barn in 1861 by a man he threatened. "Lucky Bill" Thorington, implicated in a murder in California, for which he was hanged by vigilantes in 1858, had a ranch two and a half miles to the south--and the pioneers called the school district "Fairview."

   Marker Superlative
[118] is the westernmost Nevada historical marker -- 680 feet west of the California state line!

Next Marker:

REUL "COLT" GRIDLEY

Related Links & Markers

Marker Superlatives [207] -- Carson Valley

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