Carson City Historic Resources Commission presents the
2026 Scavenger Hunt
Welcome to the Carson City Historic District 2026 scavenger hunt! This year we are looking at the evolution of properties into the “modern era.” Outbuildings within Carson City’s Westside Historic District include sheds, ice houses, and buildings constructed specifically for horses, carriages, and vehicles. Many of these buildings were built after the house but are considered to be “contributing” resources within the district. Outbuildings reflect a continuing adaptation of the property to evolving technological, social, and economic factors. They help tell the story of how Carson City changed through time.
This year the search focuses on carriage houses, garages, sheds, and outbuildings that were built to satisfy various needs within the community including storage, and the need to shelter wagons, buggies, and later, automobiles. With the introduction of automobiles at the turn of the 19th century, outbuildings on residential properties changed from separate carriage houses or barns to auto garages. Separate garages can take the form of the house style in a smaller version. Later garages were attached or included as part of the house. The years between 1900 and 1950 reflect this significant change to how people lived.
Driveways leading to the garage are often adjacent or behind the house. This year’s hunt will require looking past the house or around the corner (in some cases) to find the place where residents parked buggies or automobiles. The evolution of transportation and improved streets is directly related to how the new-fangled vehicles were sheltered. As you match an outbuilding with its residences, look for similarities in siding materials, window configuration, and roof forms. However, older sheds were very simple using corrugated metal siding and roofing.
Bonus: As part of the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we are including properties that are related to the national celebration. Of course we don’t have any buildings dating to 1776! However, the Federal style (1780-1840) of architecture popular during the colonial period of American history inspired architects to repeat elements of the style. The Colonial Revival (1880-1955) style reused many of the elements of the Federal style such as formal ornamentation at the front entrance including columns topped by a pediment. Carson City has a few examples of Colonial-inspired architecture, and they are included in our scavenger hunt this year – to remind us of the ties that buildings provide between the founding fathers and our hometown.
