California town shares more than its moniker with Missouri counterpart

By Afton Bugg

Nevada Herald

A historic town in California shares a similar name to Nevada, Mo., and research shows the two communities have even more in common than one might think.

For example, in California, there's a nearby town called Stockton and an Eldorado County -- places with coincidentally similar names to sites near Nevada, Mo.

Culturally, historians joke about Nevada City's version of "border wars."

The town of Nevada City is older than the state of Nevada, and Nevada County, Calif., is right beside the state of Nevada. Some people say that on the map, Nevada County, Calif., resembles the shape of a pistol pointed east, as if shooting the state of Nevada for taking the county's name.

Nevada City (pronounced like the state), was established as Nevada, meaning snow covered for the mountains close by. In 1850 the town added to their name calling it Nevada City. Nevada, Mo., was known in its early days as Nevada City, later shortening its moniker to Nevada, according to local historians.

The original name of Nevada City, Calif., was Deer Creek Dry, which was later switched to Codwell's Upper Store named after a local doctor. At one time, Nevada City was the third largest city in California. In 1850 the population was 10,000; Sacramento and San Francisco were the only cities larger. More people over the years moved to the larger cities leaving Nevada City's population today at only 3,001. Nevada's population has also risen and fallen, and is more than 8,000 now.

Nevada City ranks with Northern California's best, because of their cultural and historic past and is known as the entertainment capital of the Sierra Foothills. The Gold Rush came about in 1849, one year before the town was named Nevada City.

Both cities, it appears, are looking to tourism as a way to keep the local economy strong.

Old gold mine tours are available to view original mines and visitors can see the rivers close by, where one can go fishing or hunting.

"People visiting here for the first time are struck by the old mining town's appearance." said Edwin Tyson, curator of the Nevada County Historical Society's Searls Library, located near the county courthouse.

In 1985, the city was successful in having the downtown area listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The downtown district includes a total of 93 historical buildings, including eight buildings listed on the register. Nevada City also contains another 18 state and local landmarks.

In 1968, Nevada City prohibited the remodeling of any of the downtown buildings or the placing of neon or other bright lights in store windows. The residents wanted to keep the original look of the downtown, which meant that all of the downtown utilities run underground.

South Yuba Canal Building, Otts Assay Office, is the oldest building still standing in Nevada City's historical downtown. Built in 1855, it is home to the area Chamber of Commerce and the Otts wine tasting room, established in 1857.

There are several things to do in downtown Nevada City. Stores for shopping include art, antiques and collectables, body care, book stores, candle stores, clothing, entertainment, food, furnishings, gift and specialties, jewelry, leather goods, real estate, toys, and wine, while in Nevada, downtown stores follow a similar vein, in content.

In Nevada City, Firehouse No. 1 is the most photographed building in Gold County. It was built in 1851 and now used as a museum. The National Hotel established in 1854 is the state's oldest operating hotel consisting of four buildings. Firehouse No. 2 was built in 1861 and housed one of Nevada City's first volunteer fire companies. An award winning-winery is located in the newly restored quarters. There are also wineries not far from Nevada, such as the Kel Toi Vineyard, located about 3 miles west of 43 Highway on a county road just off of M Highway.

Sergeant House was built in 1856 by a civic leader and former U.S. Senator Aaron A. Sergeant. The Pine Street Bridge is a replica of a 1903 bridge span, which was built in 1996.

In Nevada, people come to see the Bushwhacker Museum and jail and more; and Missouri Northern Pecans and the historic W.F. Norman company provide other tourism opportunities.

There's something to do in Nevada City every month. January, February and March are good times for cross country skiing, snow boarding, the annual Mardi Gras celebration as well as wildflower walks or mountain bike riding along the South Yuba River. April is the International Teddy Bear Convention and in May visitors and residents enjoy dining out and live theater at Miners Foundry Nevada City Theater. Meanwhile, in Nevada, winter and spring months are filled with school sports and other activities in the arts and in the business community.

While folks in Nevada, Mo., are enjoying Bushwhacker Days in June, the Nevada City Bicycle Classic in downtown Nevada City takes place, along with a Bluegrass Festival at the fairgrounds. July and August include a Fourth of July parade and street fair and County fair at the fairgrounds. Interestingly, Vernon County's youth fair also takes place during July, with a multitude of area street festivals also taking place in Vernon County in August and September.

September is the Constitution Day Parade and Celebration. The holiday months of October, November, and December include the vibrant colors of autumn and the Christmas Victorian Celebration.

In Nevada, Mo., October means the haunted house, Oktoberfest and more. November brings Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday shopping season, and December brings the traditions of the holiday parade and the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant.