Town of the Week

Take a visit to Winnemucca, Nevada; just listen in.

Winnemucca, Nevada
November 7, 1998

The placid course of the Humboldt River through Nevada has long been the route of Indians, pioneers, miners, railroads and superhighways. A trading post named French's Ford was built in 1850 at the site of today's town. It was the only place for many miles where the river could be forded.

When the railroad finally arrived there in the Humboldt Valley in 1868, it changed the name of the young town. It honors the principal Indian chief of the region, a Paiute named Winnemucca. Winnemucca became a major shipping point for cattle and sheep, tended by hundreds of Basque shepherds. This heritage led to Winnemucca hosting the largest Basque festival in the world; on June 10th and 11th this year.

Some landmarks still in use are the Winnemucca Hotel and the Railroad Saloon. Built in 1868, the saloon has seen at least five bloody gun battles and half a dozen murders. While Winnemucca looks much as it used to, this town of 7,200 people is lots tamer today. Thousands of visitors show up annually for cowboy barrel racing in May; world championship roping in July; a hot air balloon festival the week of August 15th; and an art roundup and poetry fest over the Labor Day weekend.

At the intersection of I-80 and State 95, you'll find the high school Buckaroos, and our Town of the Week, Winnemucca, Nevada.