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Bowers Mansion

Bowers Mansion

Bowers Mansion Overview

Bowers Mansion, built in 1864 and restored in 1869, recalls the wealth of the Comstock Bonanza. Lemuel S. “Sandy”& Eilley Orrum Bowers were probably the first millionaires produced by the famous find in Gold Canyon.

Misfortune followed fortune and soon all was lost.

The property had a succession of owners and from 1903-1946 it was a popular resort under Henry Ritter.

Category

  • Architecture
  • Mining

Marker Type

Blue marker

Nevada Historical Marker Number

Browers Mansion is Nevada Historical Marker #166.

Click here to view the full list of Nevada State Historical Markers.

County

Washoe County, Nevada

GPS Coordinates

39.284693, -119.840610

Nevada Historical Marker Transcription

BUILT— 1864 RESTORED —1967

Bowers Mansion recalls the wealth of the Comstock Bonanza.  Lemuel S. “Sandy”& Eilley Orrum Bowers were probably the first millionaires produced by the famous find in Gold Canyon.  As strangers, they had adjoining claims.  After a rich vein was struck, they were soon married and had this mansion built.

Misfortune followed fortune and soon all was lost.  The richness of their vein gave out, a new mill was destroyed, financiers balked, and then Sandy died in 1868.  Maneuvering to make the property self sustaining, Eilley struggled on.  Finally, in 1878, she lost the property by foreclosure to Myron C. Lake.

After that, the properly had a succession of owners including Henry Ritter, who managed it as popular resort from 1903 to 1946.  Eilley Orrum Bowers died in poverty and unwittingly, she and Sandy left a legacy to Nevada.

STATE HISTORIC MARKER NO.  166

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

BOWERS MANSION RESTORATION COMMITTEE

References Used

Bowers Mansion