Hauntings and history in Nevada

Nevada offers plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween and the fall season, and many of those activities, such as the Douglas County Historical Society’s Haunted Weekend, the Carson City Ghost Walk and the Virginia City ghost walking tours, have a historical component. Many of the purportedly haunted houses in the area are buildings with historical significance.

As Gov. Brian Sandoval has proclaimed October Nevada History Month, many people will be out visiting museums and cultural attractions — but here’s a few ways your audience can take in some of Nevada’s history and get a Halloween thrill.

Haunted Weekend in the Carson Valley

Douglas County Historical Society’s Haunted Weekend runs Oct. 18-21 in Minden, Gardnerville and Genoa. Six events are scheduled, including two ghost investigations and a ghost hunting workshop led by the Northern Nevada Ghost Hunters.

• ·         Haunted Minden Ghost Walk at 6 and 7 p.m. Oct. 18
• ·         A Real Ghost Investigation will begin around 8:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at the New Rancho Grande (formerly the historical Ritchford Hotel) in Gardnerville
• ·         Ghost Hunting Workshop runs from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 20, also at the Courthouse Museum in Genoa
• ·         Haunted Genoa Cemetery Tour from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20
• ·         A Real Ghost Investigation will run from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the historical Courthouse Museum in Genoa
• ·         Haunted Genoa Ghost Walk at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 21

All Haunted Weekend events cost $5; tickets for the ghost investigations and workshops are limited and can be purchased in advance at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center, 1477 U.S. 395, Suite B in Gardnerville. Details: 775-782-2555; www.historicnevada.org, click on Calendar/Events.

For more on staying in Carson Valley, contact the Carson Valley, contact the Carson Valley Visitors Authority, 782-8145 orwww.visitcarsonvalley.org.

Carson City Ghost Walk

Now in its 20^th year, the Carson City Ghost Walk offers 90-minute guided tours of five historical — and possibly haunted — homes, including the Bliss Mansion, a 15-room Victorian built in the Italianate style, and the Ferris Mansion, home of George Ferris Jr., inventor of the Ferris wheel. This year’s theme is Legends of the Past, and some of those legends — including Mark Twain, whose brother, Orion Clemens, lived in Carson City — will greet walk participants along the route. Tours depart every half hour from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For details and to buy tickets, visit the website www.carsoncityghostwalk.com.

For more on staying in Carson City, contact the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, 687-7410 or www.visitcarsoncity.com.

Virginia City Ghost Walking Tours

Bats in the Belfry Guided Ghost Tours offers Special Halloween Ghost Walking Tours Oct. 25-28 and Oct. 31 in Virginia City, which looks much as it did in the late 19^th century — and may still be harboring spirits from that time. The mining town developed after gold was discovered in 1859 in nearby Six Mile Canyon. Thousands came to the area to work in the Comstock Lode mines, which produced millions in silver and gold before playing out.

The walking tours, which last about one-and-a-half hour, leave from the Silver Queen hotel. Tickets, 30, must be bought in advance. Details: 815-1050 or www.virginiacityghosttours.com/halloween_night.htm.

For more on staying in Virginia City, contact the Virginia City Tourism Commission, 847-7500 or www.visitvirginiacitynv.com.