[217]       

Tate's Stage Station (1886-1901)

Nye County
  38.97821, -117.19652

"(#217) ... As my long travel up Big Smoky Valley draws to an end, I'm reminded that I forgot my fly rod. Normally this wouldn't bother me, but considering the weather is perfect and the flows aren't too bad, tons of these creeks flowing from the Toiyabes are filled with fish. It normally stays behind my seat at all times ... but all it takes one time ... the one time I take it out "to clean it." -- Journal Entry, April 2008

Along SR 376, 14 miles south of the Lander County Line

Original Date Visited: 4/15/08

Signed: Both lanes of SR 376

  • [217] The faded signage for Marker 217
  • [217] Marker 217 plaque
  • [217] Marker 217 in the Big Smoky Valley
  • [217] Marker 217 and the mighty Toiyabe Range
  • [217] Marker 217

Exact Description:
Long after the railroads came to Nevada and the branch lines were extended towards the heartland of the state, horse-drawn stages transported people and mail from railhead to the hinterlands.

The principal routes were covered by such well-known lines as Overland Mail and Stage Co., William Hill Beachey Railroad Stage Lines, Butterfield's, Wells, Fargo and Co., Pioneer Stageline, Carson and Columbus Stage Line, plus other lesser-known lines.

Thomas Tate sub-contracted mail routes in central Nevada for over thirty years. In 1886, he and his wife established a station due east as an overnight stop between the county seats of Austin and Belmont. Stages met here and exchanged passengers and mail and obtained fresh horses. Tommy's wife fed and lodged the passengers, in what became a local social center. Ester Tate organized the first school in the area.

The Tates maintained this station until 1901. Belmont lost the county seat in 1905."

Next Marker:

MAGNOLIA HOUSE (GEIGER STATION)

Related Links & Markers

 [8] -- Austin   [138] -- Belmont 

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