Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 13

August 30, 1958 RENO EYEKiXti GAaE 13 Lahontan Dam Completion Assured Newlands Project Water Supply industries ere found to be prof (This is the last in a series of articles on the Newlands project, from its conception, through the actual construction project and the later addition of Lahontan dam and installation of canals and laterals insuring a stable, prosperous development of agriculture in Churchill county.) By MRS. ROBERT KENT "St f-4mWP -r- 1 i' i i "in ii i it- inn inn- ITT-- in All ot well maintained iarms of tne Newlands Project. ViJUW ot Fallon'sMaine street, poking north, 1956. I I IV. i I rfiP v'-a'k xU-'V-K v.

4J itable. The most intensified of these were dairying and poultry-production. Others such as beef, pork and mutton production also commanded considerable atten tion. xThe fattening of beef and mutton for market on the high quality alfalfa hay grown be came well established. Range sheep and cattle in large numbers were shipped into the valley from great distances to be fattened for market on alfalfa hay.

ALFALFA PAGEANT The Newlands Project farmers were anxious to display the wonderful bounty of their farms and got together in September of 1915 to stage Fallon's first Nevada state fair, Alfalfa pageant. On a corner of Maine street, a castle like structure was erected from forty-four tons of alfalfa hay." It consisted of four walls and four battlement topped towers with agricultural exhibits arranged inside. Miniature alfalfa bales were given to visitors and cookies made from alfalfa meal were circulated through the crowds in attendance to pro-mole the project's leading crop. An Alfalfa King and Dairy Queen were elected by popular vote to reign over the fair. The winners were dressed in royal robes and during the parade sat on sn enormous float fashioned from three wagons coupled together.

Their throne was made of bales of alfalfa and the float was drawn by sixteen horses. From the 1 a ed alfalfa throne, the King and Queen overlooked a vista of alfalfa fields with dairy cattle, sheep and pigs in the foreground, typifying the kingdom over which they were to rule. Governor and Mrs. Emmett D. Boyle rode in the parade in an open carriage drawn by white horses.

An elaborate parade followed with a procession of thirty horse-drawn floats one mile in length. Lach Iloat featured allalfa or dairying in its basic theme. Among the floats was one entered by the United States Reclamation Service representing Lahontan Dam, with water flowing out of the conduits and miniature farms in the valley below. The float was preceded by the engineering staff with its instruments, a team, scraper and dump wagon, typifying the stages in construction of the dam. Visitors to the fair and even the project residents were struck with amazement at the efforts of themselves and their neigh bors when they visited the horticulture demonstration.

PROJECT HISTORY The history of the project over! the next four decades is to a large extent the history of the economic growth of Fallon, the city created by the project Falron today is the county seat of Churchill and the operating center and headquarters of the engineering, construction and maintenance departments of the Truckee Carson Irrigation District. It serves as a trading and social center for citizens of the project as well. Prior to reclamining the lands Pushed to obtain 120 acres of federal land in the area. The Los Angeles architectural firm of Jack Miller and Associates estimates the school to handle about 100 girls will cost between one-half and three-quarters million dollars. Final approval for construction of a girls' reform school has to be given by the legislature, FALLON (Special) Comple tion of Lahontan Dam brought forth jubilation throughout the project.

A mammoth task had been successfully completed and the farmers were hard at work proving their ability to make good on Uncle Sam's investment in western irrigation. With the waters of the Truckee and Car son in storage, there was little likelihood that the project would ever be1 faced with a -va- ter shortage again and efforts of the settlers could not help but meet with success in the fertile Lahontan Valley. Three hundred and fifty miles of canals and laterals were built to deliver water to the farms which gives an idea of the magnitude of the project. NO EASY GOING From the beginning it had not been easy going, and the cour- a homesteaders were aware it never would be. Old- timers tell of the prime example of Charles W.

Renfro, an early homesteader, who, like many others, was at one strongly inclined to give up. The task of making a good ranch out of raw sagebrush desert was then very fresh in his memory. But, keeping at it, he developed a splendid farm and when the opportunity arose, sold it for a good price. Several months later, the inhabitants of Fallon, noting a cloud of dust approaching from the Island District, flocked to the streets to see a 10 mule out fit attached to eight tons of wheat with Renfro cracking a long whip from the driver's seat. He not only had not quite the project, but had purchased one hundred acres of sagebrush and proceeded to cultivate this all over again.

When questioned about his new ranch, heYeported 103 tons of wheat had been harvested, some of which stood six feet high. LIMITS EXTENDED The available areas gradually became occupied and the project limits were extended as rapidly as there were demands for water rights by newcomers. The area represented a greater increase in population than any other agricultural region in the state. In 1900, the federal census credited county with a population of 830. By 1910, it had more than tripled with 2800 residents listed.

The number of irrigated farms steadily increased after dam construction, eventually reaching a figure slightly over one thousand. The principal crops were alfalfa, pasture, wheat, barley and other forage types. Good results were achieved in staple vegetables such as potatoes, onions, cantaloupes and other truck crops. Churchill county was also fine livestock country. All livestock Girls School Move LAS VEGAS The move to locate the Nevada reform school for girls in the Las Vegas area got a push today.

The state planning board asked the county planning group to approve a site for the proposed school. The state board proposes location of the school about 21 miles southwest of Las Vgas in the southern end of Red Rock canyon. Efforts are being made 4Mb. NEVADA STATE FAIR parade, September, 1915, shows U. S.

Reclamation Service float depicting Lahontan dam. State Fair, Fallon. Sixty by sixty feet, the palace was built of aressive and industrious people have worked to make a desira ble place in which to live and fear their children. The reclamation record the people of the project have Vrit-; ten over the last half century a proud one. Total construction costs to repay to the United States Government were at one time approximately five million dollars.

For all practical purposes the water users have met their obligation. The balance on the construction cost is very small in proportion to the total cost of the project. Of the five original reclamation projects receiving official approval in 1902, the Newlands is one of the few Carpet Copped TULSA, Okla. UP) The red carpet was out for three youths and they took it. They rolled up a red carpet in front of a carpet store, tied it to the topi of their car and drove off.

The! rug was valued at $300. of the area, Fallon had been post office, established in 1895 on the ranch of Mike Fallon. It was a mail distribution point for ranchers operating in this vicinity of the Carson River. In 1903 with the beginning of the canal system, many residents of Still water moved to Fallon because of its more central location and it subsequently became the county seat. The legislature of 1909 authorized its incorporation and its first municipal election was held in May of that year.

The spirit displayed by the early settlers along the Carson River and. by the homesteaders is well evident in the wide, tree-lined streets of the town, modern buildings and fine residences. The town is only fifty-six years old, but has many features of cities twice its age. Its prog- FLAMINGO EXPANDS LAS VEGAS. Opening of a 92 room addition at the swank Flamingo Hotel here was an- nounced today by hotel president Al Parvin.

The rooms are located in two adjoining two story buildings adjacent to the main hotel. Parvin said the project represented a $1,000,000 investment. S. CONGRESS --ir if- -J--: tiA -4 1 -i- rti J' A I if Si iirriNiiiiiiiii in ALFAUFA PALACE, Nevada Engle, Knight Are Endorsed As Candidates SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 28.

JP) The California State Federation of Labor's political ami endorses both Democratic Rep. Clair Engle and Republican Gov. Goodwin J. Knight in the November race for U. S.

senator. The dual endorsement was voted last night after heated debate and a 90-minute roll call. The result was 126,513 to 79,123 for the dual stand with delegates casting votes for the members they represented. Knight opposes right-to-work legislation which is backed by Sen. William F.

Knowland, Republican nominee for governor. KXIGHT BACKED Knight has been given undi-divided support in previous campaigns by the California Labor League for Political Education. His supporters urged the duel endorsement against appeals by Engle backers for a solid Democratic front by the state's AFL unions. The labor league's executive council contended both Engle and Knight merited endorsement as a friend of organized labor. Democratic candidates for all other statewide offices were endorsed except in the race for state treasurer.

A. Ronald Button, Republican Incumbent, was endorsed over Bert A. Betts, Democrat, on a 96 to 77 vote. Button has declared opposition to right-to-work legislation. He was appointed state treasurer by Knight.

AT CONFERENCE Dr. Daniel J. Hurley, head of Nevada's state department of health, and Dr. Horace B. Taylor, president of the Nevada division of the American Cancer Society, will attend a medical I I 1 i 1 I it able to claim this distinction.

From the beginning the New-lands water users have their obligations as they came due and been solvent. SEE HEAR GRANT SAWYER Democrat for Governor KOLO-TV Saturday AUGUST 30 6:33 P.M. Pd. Pol. Adv.

Paid Pol. Adv. r. EARLY liOMESTEADER Renfro in his wheat field, August, 1915. Re-elect to a 4th Term in the U.

r- '1 i ff jy 'a "y- Death Claims Douglas Native SUSANVILLE, Calif. Graveside services for George Winters, 74, who died at a local Tios-pital on Sunday, were held in the Lassen cemetery Thursday. The Rev. F. E.

Lewis of the First Baptist church officiated. Arrangements were in charge of the Lucero Funeral Chapel. A native of Kansas, Mr. Winters had lived in Lassen county 37 years, and was employed by the Red River Lumber Co. in before his retirement.

The only known relative is a niece living in California. conference in San Francisco) Sept. 12 and 13 on professional i education. The conference, spon-worth The claim Mining Claim Dates Changed A story in Monday night's Reno Evening Gazette quoted misleading figures from Associated Press news service concerning the amount of annual assessments on unpatented mining claims. The correct annual amount is $100, and periods for payment are from Sept.

1 to Sept. 1, starting this Monday, according to President Eisenhower, re- placing the old July 1 dates. law stipulates when the is first made, that $500 of work must be done on the site to protect, it. The an nual assessment, however, after the initial $500 worth of work has been' performed, is only $100 per unpatented mining claim. Georgettes KOLO-TV 2dM sored by the American Cancer Society, will be held at the Sheraton Palace Hotel.

Also representing Nevada will be Dr. Thomas Hood from Elko and Dr. Harold Boyer, Las Vegas. RE-ELECT HO WAR PULL 8A GRANT SAWYER Democrat tor Governor Paid Pel. Adv.

Sat, 6:55 P.M. KATO Clel GeorgeHa Ibl WALTER S. BARING (DEMOCRAT INCUMBENT) A PROVED FRIEND OF THE PEOPLE FOE OF BUREAUGRACYAND SELFISH MINORITY INTERESTS PLEDGED TO: CONTINUE THE PEOPLE'S FIGHT FOR A BY-PASS OF THE CITY OF RENO FREEWAY ROUTE, WHICH WOULD SAVE RENO FROM NEEDLESS DESTRUCTION INSURE ALL NEVADA COUNTIES THEIR FAIR SHARE OF PUBLIC ROADS FUNDS SAVE THE TAXPAYERS AN UNNECESSARY ADDITIONAL TAX BURDEN MAKE CONSTRUCTION WORK IMMEDIATELY POSSIBLE AND KEEP THE PROPOSED CONCRETE MONSTROSITY OUTSIDE OF THE CITY WHERE A DEFENSE HIGHWAY BELONGS Vole For Experienced Legislation Fearless Representation Paid Pol. Adv. RETAIN JUDGE CL1L GEORGETTA DISTRICT JUDGE, DEPT.

3 NON-PARTISAN, INCUMBENT HE'S DOING A GOOD JOB-LET'S NOT CHANGE NOWI 31 AS ASSEMBLYMAN Incumbent Republican See and Hear Judge Clel LISTEN TO STEREOPHONIC SOUND KNEV-FM and MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 10:00 P.M. Political Advertisement Paid for By The Committee To Elect Judge.