Buckland Station

We always enjoy our visits at the Buckland Station. I think yesterday was the first time that we sat and watched their 11 minute informational video, though. It was nicely done and it felt great to nudge hubby every time I knew some historical detail they brought up that I knew and he didn’t…lol (since he has lived here since 1978 and I moved here in 1997).
I have studied and taught about Nevada history (mining camps, ghost towns, noteworthy Nevadans, etc) the last couple of years in order to teach about them at our local homeschool co-​op and Buckland’s Station comes up a lot in these studies and my teaching. Several key events happened here and/​or nearby… everything from dealings with the Paiute Indians, travelers on their way to California, nearby Fort Churchill, to the Pony Express.
It only costs $ 1 to check out the inside of the home (which I believe is only open on weekends) and children (I believe 12 and under) are free. You can, however, explore the grounds on your own anytime.
I highly recommend that you do just that. They have picnic tables, restrooms, and it makes for a great place to stop in the middle of a long ride. Right across the highway from the main building is a field and a few old buildings that have definitely seen better days. I love ghost towns and buildings like this, so I recommend checking them out and taking pictures, too. From a safe distance, of course.
There is also Fort Churchill that is probably less than a half a mile from Buckland Station. If you haven’t been there, you will definitely want to check that out, too!
We also had the opportunity a couple of years ago to participate in their Halloween Party. It was a lot of fun! Everyone was in costumes. There was candy, a movie, trick or treating around the museum… A wonderful, safe, and memorable Halloween night!

This is one of those spots that you zip by that is really worth the stop.
Buckland Station is a large white house right next to Highway 95A between Silver Springs and Yerington next to the Carson River. It is now a part of the Nevada State Parks. The house was built in 1870 as a boarding house and served as a stop along the Pony Express Route.
As a 21^st century traveler it serves as a great rest stop when making the interminable drive from Reno to Las Vegas. There are bathrooms and a small picnic area available behind the house. The house itself is only open on weekends, sometimes, but there are informational signs and lots of open space for dog and kid walking. All of this is free.
It is not far off the road, clean and unpopulated. Great place to get out and stretch.

You may not find this a five star attraction but since I am very interested in Nevada history, this is a significant attraction, and I’m glad they are restoring it, even if it is being done slowly.
This was the «ranch house» and station for the famous Buckland family, and it was smack dab on the main pony express route, stage route, emmigration route, and every other route you can think of. Mr. Buckland threw a toll bridge across the river here, so that helped.
It’s not a huge house, but when you consider what else was here, it was a significant establishment. The first floor is the only one completed; the second floor has seven bedrooms and a ballroom, for crying out loud.
Come by and throw a lousy dollar (that’s all it costs) to get in and take a peek around. Your visit helps them get this thing all shined up and restored.