Genoa, Nevadas Oldest Town and Saloon

One of the buildings still in its original state is the Genoa Bar and Saloon, serving whiskey in its third century. Build in 1863 by Al Livingston, it was initially called Livingstons Exchange. In 1884 Frank Fettic bought it, renamed it Fettic's Exchange and operated it as a Gentlemen's Saloon with no excess drinking allowed. The claim as the oldest continually operating thirst parlor in Nevada had been challenged once by the Delta Saloon in Virginia City, but it turned out that although the Delta Saloon opened its doors in 1862, it moved once in its existence. The Genoa Saloon still looks like it might have looked in the eighteen hundreds, its dark smoky walls seem unchanged. Make sure to stop there and have a glass of whiskey, which feels especially good on a cold, snowy winter morning. But remember: "No Horses Allowed!".

Genoa, Nevadas oldest town and saloon Snow, Deer and Whiskey - Page 2
One of the buildings still in its original state is the Genoa Bar and Saloon, serving whiskey in its third century. Build in 1863 by Al Livingston, it was initially called Livingstons Exchange. In 1884 Frank Fettic bought it, renamed it Fettic's Exchange and operated it as a Gentlemen's Saloon with no excess drinking allowed. The claim as the oldest continually operating thirst parlor in Nevada had been challenged once by the Delta Saloon in Virginia City, but it turned out that although the Delta Saloon opened its doors in 1862, it moved once in its existence. The Genoa Saloon still looks like it might have looked in the eighteen hundreds, its dark smoky walls seem unchanged. Make sure to stop there and have a glass of whiskey, which feels especially good on a cold, snowy winter morning. But remember: "No Horses Allowed!".	Genoa Bar and Saloon - The oldest still operating Thirst Parlor in Nevada [click image to enlarge]
Don't be suprised if you see groups of deer wandering around town and pausing in frontyards of gorgeous old and new victorian style homes. Local residents have mixed feelings about this "blessing" - with the deer eating plants, stripping bark from their trees or damaging fences when locking horns in fights. Speaking of trees, check out the large tree at the towns center. It was used to hang a visiting Californian in the earlier times. For more information on criminals, locals and the old life, visit the Genoa Courthouse, now a museum. It is open from May to October. There, a special exhibit is dedicated to famous Snowshoe Thompson, who delivered mail over the Sierras. Coming from a Norwegian family who was used to snow, he made legendary 90 mile treks over snowdrifts and through 80 mph blizzards on his	self- made 10 foot long ski's. He set out up 2 to 4 times a month, covering the 90 miles in 2 to 3 days as a postman in the U.S. postal service. He never carried a gun to save additional weight for provisions and mail, which weighted often up to 100 pounds. Thompson is buried at the Genoa Cemetery, which is another place to see. For some reason, his gravestone misses the 'p' in his name. There is speculation that the carver and his wife might have been illiterate, or that they just made a mistake. Folklore says when a gravestone name is mispelled, the person can't go to heaven.
	More Pictures from Genoa [click to enlarge]