Nevada City: A Failed Experiment

by Scott W. Elliott Churchill County has certainly seen its share of diversity. An influx of migrants from all over the world made it what it is today.  Though it has been a hundred years since the Socialist Colony existed here, it has left a peculiar and colorful twist on local history. What began as a curious and sometimes admirable approach to communal subsistence and goodwill, ended in disputes, corruption and the murder of a Churchill County Sheriff. Nevada City, located four miles east of Fallon, was created as a beacon for people around the country who desired a socialist platform amongst the capitalist ideals of the United States. The settlement produced hundreds of members of all trades including doctors, politicians and ministers. Headed by C.V. Eggleston, the heart of the colony was located on the J.S. Harmon Ranch. The cement-block Harmon farmhouse was rechristened the Nevada City Hotel and plans were drawn up for a very sophisticated and cosmopolitan metropolis. Two long streets, parallel to The Lincoln Highway, containing two hundred frame and adobe houses were platted. A circular boulevard was to encompass the city with sunken gardens, tennis courts, parks, croquet grounds and walkways. Another road from the north, would provide access from the highway, where an elaborate arch would welcome people to the city. Construction began in mid-1917, but most of these grandiose plans would never be realized. Eggleston and other leaders engaged in a nationwide campaign to draw people to the new utopia. Instead of economic competition, there would be equal opportunity and cooperative endeavors. Communal ideals and a retreat from world conflict were advertised. Also, the independence of the west and climate were a factor. The main newspaper; “The Co-operative Colonist,” used language such as, “Come to Nevada and see for yourselves…it is the only thing left for us to do—our LAST CHANCE!” Eggleston himself wrote, “Comrades, if I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would have never believed it possible…it is truly wonderful.” For a short time, Nevada City grew. Funded by a stockholder system, a fee of several hundred dollars or more was charged for membership; sometimes $1000 for a family. Stockholder/employees received free food and shelter. The colony also promised to support one in the event of sickness, injury or old age. Entertainment was provided by a couple of former Vaudeville actors, a literary society, garden club, a band and a motion picture machine. For children there was “Kid Kolony” which was inside a 50x75 foot circus tent. Aspirations were huge. Even though the socialist candidate for U.S. Senate for Nevada; A. Grant Miller, had lost the 1916 election, the plan was to turn Nevada into a socialist state and become the “Switzerland” of the United States. With America’s entry into World War One, the Socialists believed more Americans would embrace utopianism, co-operative ideals and other theories of the socialist agenda. By 1918 the population of Nevada City peaked at 200. By this point, however, many of the original leaders had been ousted and new leaders took on a more capitalistic approach. Entrance fees increased, hard work was stressed over socialistic ideals and eventually, the idea of carrying Nevada for socialism was abandoned. Constant infighting and bickering ensued. Conditions began deteriorating. Over half of the migrants were without adequate housing or proper sanitary facilities and there was a severe shortage of food. After the winter of 1917-1918 many people were left sick and three children died.  Women whom had looked forward to some form of gender equality were forced to double down on their stereotypical  roles of washing, cooking and cleaning for the community. Dissension from within was on the rise. As punishment, stockholders were expelled by the dozens.  Others left at will. As workers and supporters departed, the day to day functions of the colony began to break down. Lawsuits against the colony mounted. Prospective members, upon touring the so-called utopia, found filthy conditions, an inadequate commissary and unhappy people, many living in tents. The aforementioned plans of a grand and sophisticated city had only produced a dozen or so frame and adobe houses. New memberships all but ceased. Colonist Paul Walters was wanted for draft evasion. When Churchill County Sheriff Mark Wildes confronted him, Walters shot and killed him. Walters escaped but was tracked down and killed.  His family was too afraid to claim the body, as was anyone else in the colony. Stock sales were discontinued in July 1918.  Less than a year later the colony went into receivership and liquidation.  Family after family packed up and left an idealistic city which had never really amounted to more than a village. However, it appears Nevada City did not fail as a town, as much as it did an idea. This story first appeared in the November 8, 2019 printed edition of The Fallon Post.     Sign up to receive updates and the Friday File email notices. Support local, independent news – contribute to The Fallon Post, your non-profit (501c3) online news source for all things Fallon.