Bowers Mansion
by Donna Kennedy
Title
Bowers Mansion
Artist
Donna Kennedy
Medium
Photograph - Photographs
Description
Original Fine Art Photography by Donna Kennedy...
A rags to riches story..Built in 1864, restored in 1967 and just recently had a $200,000 much needed renovation. Placed on the National Register of Historical places March 6, 2013. Located on Old Hwy 395 in Washoe City, Nevada
A reminder of the Comstock Bonanza, Lemuel (Sandy) and Eilley Bowers were probably the first millionaires produced by the fabulous find in Gold Canyon. As strangers, they had adjoining claims, after a rich vein was struck, they were soon married and had the mansion built. They traveled the world to furnish it. Misfortune followed fortune and soon all was lost. The richness of their vein gave out; a new mill was destroyed; financiers balked; then Sandy died in 1868. Eilley struggled on, finally in 1878, losing the mansion by foreclosure to Myron C. Lake. Thereupon, the property had a succession of owners including Henry Ritter, who managed it as a popular resort from 1903-1946. Eilley Bowers had died in poverty and unwittingly, she and Sandy left a legacy to Nevada.
Several episodes of the TV series Bonanza were filmed here including the episode "The Saga of Annie O'Toole". As I walked the historic grounds I couldn't help but feel sad knowing this couple came from nothing yet acquired so much wealth just to lose it all. Their graves are high up on the hill in a fenced area behind the mansion looking down on their once beloved home...HDR
Thank You to the following Groups that Featured this photo:
-Excellent Self-Taught Artists
-Dimensions
-Memories and Nostalgia
Uploaded
June 4th, 2013
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Viewed 605 Times - Last Visitor from Beverly Hills, CA on 03/29/2024 at 1:05 AM
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Comments (18)
Chris Berry
nice capture Donna back in the 1970s I have a slide before this was renovated but now it looks better fv
Mick Anderson
When most people think of Nevada, they think of desert and sand and wasteland. This image should help uncover the real Nevada!! VERY nice image, Donna :))) F/V
Donna Kennedy replied:
Thank you Mick, yes Nevada has a lot of desert but there are some beautiful places here :))
Bob Orsillo
Interesting history - but a sad story. At least they live on though this beautiful mansion and stories of gold canyon. V/F
Sharon Mau
. . ♥ . . . ☆ ☆ . . ★ . Featured: :: Dimensions :: . ★ . . ☆ ☆ . . . ♥ . . . http://fineartamerica.com/groups/dimensions.html
Donna Kennedy replied:
Thank you Sharon for the feature in Dimensions, I appreciate the recognition!
Randy Rosenberger
Donna, not only a rich looking and wonderfully captured and composed shot, but really enjoy the historical reading in your description. Love it, and thanks for sharing! fave and vote
Kathy Baccari
What a beautiful piece of architecture Donna and a great history behind it. Fantastic! F/V :)
Nick Boren
And what a mansion it is... I would love to visit this place someday.. Thanks for photographing it and posting it Donna. :-) fv
Donna Kennedy replied:
Thank you Nick, yes it's a nice place and they have tours of the inside on the weekends during the Summer.