Lyon County Nevada is named for Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon, commander of the Federal forces at Wilson’s Creek during the civil war. General Nathaniel Lyon was the first Union General killed in the civil war after being shot three times on August 10th, 1861 at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek near Springfield, Missouri. The general was killed by a soldier named John Morgan after he was completely surrounded by Confederate soldiers
The county is one of the original nine counties in the great state of Nevada, that were in place on November 11th, 1871. The original county seat was located in Dayton, however now this honor belongs to Yerington.
The first mineral discoveries in Nevada occurred in Gold Canyon north of Dayton in the spring of 1850. Johntown was founded at the site and the states first mining camp. This areas was “the place to be” in terms of mining operations when the Comstock boom started.
Lyon county has a total area of 2,024 square miles (5,240 km2) and 23 square miles (60 km2) is water.[It is the fourth-smallest county in Nevada by area.
The bravest man I ever saw was General Lyon. After he was completely surrounded, and pulled off of his horse, he picked up rocks and fought with thousands of men around him. He struck Will Morgan in the face with a rock, and John Morgan shot him with an old-fashioned horse pistol, killing him.
Lyon County Map
4×4 Trails
 The Pony Express Trails and Stations In NevadaThe Pony Express operated for a very brief period of time from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861. The mail service allowed quick delivery… |
Lyon County Ghost Towns
 Johntown Nevada – Lyon County Ghost TownLocated in Gold Canyon between Silver City and Dayton, Johntown Nevada is the first ghost town in Lyon county. None of the buildings are currently… |
 Pine Grove Nevada – Lyon County Ghost TownOne of the lesser known yet longest running gold mining camps is Pine Grove, Nevada. Located in Lyon County, Nevada just East of the 338… |
 Sutro NevadaLocated at 4,478 feet, Sutro Nevada is a ghost town located in Lyon County Nevada built to support construction of the Sutro Tunnel. The town… |
Points of Interest
 Buckland’s StationBuckland Station is a pony express station, stage stop, boarding house and supplier near Fort Churchill in Lyon County, Nevada. Buckland Station early 1900s In… |
 Fort Churchill NevadaFort Churchill is a Civil War era United States Army Fort, Pony Express Station and overland stage stop located in Lyon County, Nevada just West… |
Johntown Nevada – Lyon County Ghost TownLocated in Gold Canyon between Silver City and Dayton, Johntown Nevada is the first ghost town in Lyon county. None of the buildings are currently… |
Pine Grove Nevada – Lyon County Ghost TownOne of the lesser known yet longest running gold mining camps is Pine Grove, Nevada. Located in Lyon County, Nevada just East of the 338… |
Sutro NevadaLocated at 4,478 feet, Sutro Nevada is a ghost town located in Lyon County Nevada built to support construction of the Sutro Tunnel. The town… |
 Sutro TunnelThe Sutro Tunnel was a drainage adit into the Comstock Load, which is located in Lyon County, Nevada. The entrance to the Sutro Tunnel in… |
The Pony Express Trails and Stations In NevadaThe Pony Express operated for a very brief period of time from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861. The mail service allowed quick delivery… |
Lyon County Nevada State Historic Markers
Buckland’s StationBuckland Station is a pony express station, stage stop, boarding house and supplier near Fort Churchill in Lyon County, Nevada. Buckland Station early 1900s In… |
Sutro TunnelThe Sutro Tunnel was a drainage adit into the Comstock Load, which is located in Lyon County, Nevada. The entrance to the Sutro Tunnel in… |