Carson City history comes alive

Revolver shots rang out from the Legislative lawn and famous folks from Carson City's past came to life Saturday for the annual Kit Carson Trail Wild West Tour.

This year's event was based on the theme "Politics in the Wild West."

"Since it's an election year we wanted to give everybody a feeling for what politics were like back then," said Candy Duncan, executive director of the Carson City Convention and Visitor's Bureau, which sponsored the tour.

Costumed docents gathered groups at the courtyard next to the Nevada State Museum where Bobby Joe Holman offered live music. Groups were escorted around the city every half hour to historic homes and buildings where actors portrayed figures such as Orion Clemens and Hannah Keziah Clapp.

"I came out west on a wagon train," said actress Roz Works while portraying Clapp at the Yerington House. "Actually, I spent most of the time on horse back with a pistol on my side."

Toting a bag of pluots (plum-apricot hybrids) from the Telegraph Street farmer's market were Victor and Thelma McGraw from North Carolina.

"Did you come out just for the Wild West Tour?" joked Duncan.

Turns out they're driving an RV around the West.

"We decided to stop here over the weekend so we're not on the road for the holiday," explained Victor.

The couple enjoyed the tour - except one thing.

"I want to know where Orion Clemens got that Southern accent!"

This year's Wild West Tour was dedicated to Bruce Royce. The founder of the Nevada Gunfighters - one of the tour's most popular features - Royce died in April. His gunfighter group went on with the show - this year performing their shootouts on the Legislative lawn.

Carson City redevelopment and the visitor's bureau team up to offer the tour as well in the fall Ghost Walk. Both tours follow the Blue Line Trail to historic sites in the city.

"We have so much history here and our history is really what sets us apart from other cities," Duncan said.

Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.