Genoa Courthouse Museum

The Genoa Courthouse Museum was built in 1865 and is now a cool little historical museum that is worth at least several minutes of your time. It’s an easy wander from the Genoa Bar and other «Center City» points of interest. Gayle also has fond childhood memories of spending many joyful hours, playing on a big swing set here.
The courthouse was constructed by when Genoa was the county seat of Douglas County. In 1916, the county seat was moved to Minden, and the building then served as a school until 1956. In 1969, it was opened as a museum by the Carson Valley Historical Society.
Exhibits include the old courtroom, a county office, the blacksmith shop and jail, Washo Indian life and artifacts, schoolroom, school kitchen and a room dedicated to John «Snowshoe» Thompson, «Mailman of the Sierra».

When I visited a number of years ago, I enjoyed my tour of the courthouse as well as its gift shop (I’m a self-​proclaimed glutton for historic postcards and the like). My most memorable moment: Stepping inside the jail cell downstairs and feeling the immense weight of such an experience. I instantly began feeling claustrophobic and needed to step out – the sense of dread was so strong in there.
As for the area itself, Genoa’s a pleasantly intimate town, and when I last visited, only had a handful of stores on its main street. I would definitely revisit Genoa and would also recommend touring the Capitol building in Carson City.