The Historic James Doane Roberts House
Constructed in Washoe City in 1859
Now located at 1207 North Carson Street, Carson City, Nevada
This structure is a fine example of Gothic Revival architecture. In 1873 it was moved
to Carson City on the Virginia and
Truckee Railroad and by oxen with logs.
James
Doane Roberts was co-owner of the Roberts and Corbett’s Saloon (across the street
from the V&T depot).
Hattie was the granddaughter of Calvin
Hale, founder of the Hale and Norcross mine in Virginia City. Hattie, a direct
descendent of American patriot Nathan Hale, was a former employee of the State of Nevada. Thurman
Roberts willed the property to the children of Nevada, and it became the
property of Carson City (then Ormsby County). The Public Works Department
planned to raze it to form a small park. The outcry of the citizenry brought
about the creation of the Nevada Landmark’s Society which enlisted the aid of
the local citizens to save it. (On August 20, 2002, Nevada Landmarks became the
Carson City Historical Society.) The City Council agreed to a year’s extension
to restore and stabilize the structure. A stone foundation was installed with
the aid of anyone who was interested, including state prison inmates. Others
turned out to paint and refurbish the house, with many thousands of hours of
volunteer services and dollars expended. The
Nevada Landmarks Society (now the Carson City Historical Society) has raised
thousands of dollars for the restoration of this fine historical
structure.
