Great Fun Facts About Carson City, NV

Carson City Existed Before Nevada's Official Statehood

Residents of Carson City may be surprised to learn that Carson City predates Nevada's official statehood. It first became recognized as a community in 1858, seven years after the area's settlement of the Eagle Station trading post. Abraham Curry was behind the initial recognition of Carson City as a community. Three years later, the U.S. incorporated an organized territory by the name of the Territory of Nevada. Carson City became this territory's capital. When Nevada joined the Union as a state in 1864, it retained Carson City as its capital, and the rest is history.

Christopher "Kit" Carson Inspired Carson City's Name

Carson City is named after Christopher "Kit" Carson, who was a famous American frontiersman. Carson had an adventurous spirit and fulfilled many roles during his lifetime, including those of a U.S. Army officer, Indian agent, wilderness guide, and fur trapper. Politician and explorer John C. Fremont had the idea of naming the area after Kit, and the name stuck.

Many Popular Movie Scenes Were Filmed in Carson City

Another fact that you may not know about Carson City is that it is the site of many popular movie scenes. For example, the films "Bonanza: Under Attack," "State Trooper," "Pretty Hattie's Baby," "Wild Is the Wind," "Cobb," and "Pink Cadillac" feature scenes that were filmed in Carson City. A few more recent movies that were filmed at least partially in Carson City include "The Motel Life," "Tickets to Paradise," "This Is Martin Bonner," and "Nowhere Nevada."

Carson City Is One of Two U.S. Capitals To Border Another State

Carson City may be Nevada's capital, but this city isn't too far away from California. In fact, Carson City borders California. This city is one of only two U.S. capitals to border another state. The only other state capital that does this is Trenton, New Jersey, which borders Pennsylvania. This geographic technicality makes the city unique, and it means that a day trip to California is only an hour or so drive away.

If you're looking to go on a road trip with your family, you'll need a reliable vehicle to fuel your adventures. Whether you need to service your current vehicle or are looking to purchase a new one, feel free to visit our dealership at Carson City Hyundai. We aim to help you pick out the perfect car and get you and your family back on the road safely.

Carson City Is the Smallest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the U.S.

A metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is an area that has strong economic ties to its region and a relatively high population density. There are 366 MSAs in the U.S., and Carson City classifies as one of them. Notably, it's the smallest of all 366 MSAs. This is quite a fun fact, as it means that Carson City has a big-town feel and offers plenty for its residents to do. However, being so low on the list means that its residents don't feel overcrowded, which makes it the perfect sweet spot for adventure-seekers.

Carson City's Official Name Is a Mouthful

Take a deep breath before saying Carson City's official name. It's actually the "Consolidated Municipality of Carson City." However, residents and visitors alike almost never resort to these formalities. If they don't refer to the city as simply Carson City, they may resort to nicknames like "The Capitol," "C.C.," or "Carson." Feel free to take your pick, as true residents will know what you mean.

The Government Is the Biggest Employer in Carson City

While silver production was responsible for Carson City's first financial boom back in the mid-19th century, a lot has changed in its economy since then. Today, the government is the biggest employer in Carson City. Examples of institutions that hire the most employers include the state's DMV, the Carson City School District, and the Legislative Counsel Bureau. Manufacturing employers closely follow government employers, and retail employers come in third in terms of how many employees they hire in Carson City.

The Inventor of the Ferris Wheel Called Carson City Home

Though he was born in Illinois, George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. lived in Carson City for several years of his life. He and his family lived in the now-famous Sears-Ferris house on West Third Street during Ferris's adolescence in the 1860s and 1870s. While Ferris Jr. eventually moved out of Carson City, his father owned the building until 1890 when he sold it to his daughter.

The house was under the ownership of various families outside of the Ferris brood in the 20th century until it finally became a part of the National Register of Historic Places for Carson City in 1979. Now, every time you go on a Ferris wheel, you can think about how you, as a Carson City resident, are connected to its creation.

Carson City Is an Aviation Hot Spot

Carson Valley, which is directly south of Carson City, is a rural area that's an aviation lover's dream. The valley's distinct weather patterns and surrounding mountains generate thermals that create ideal flight conditions. Pilots from all over the world come to Carson Valley to fly gliders and sailplanes and either practice or achieve record-breaking flights. International pilots often come to stay in the adjacent Carson City while they're in the area, so you could strike up a conversation with one about their adventures in Carson Valley.

A fun fact that we want to leave you with is that our dealership, Carson City Hyundai, operates right here in our beloved town. You can contact our team to discuss anything: from new vehicle specials to financing and maintenance plans. We're happy to address any questions that you may have. Our goal is to get you on the road with a reliable vehicle that suits your lifestyle and preferences.