Historical Walking Tour

A French trader settled on the banks of the Humboldt River in 1860, near the present-day Winnemucca, and called it French Ford. Essential for the wagon trains heading West on the Immigrant Trail, French Ford became a popular supply depot in those early years. By 1868, freight wagons and then the Central Pacific Railroad were making their way through the region, thus the crossing was well on its way to becoming a well-known mining and cowboy hum of the West.

In 1868, the Railroad chose to honor a local Paiute Indian, Chief Winnemucca, and changed the name of the bustling town to Winnemucca. As the town grew and prospered in the 1860’s, it wasn’t long before it gained control of the county seat from the nearby mining town of Unionville.

Rich in history of the buckaroos, miners and Basques, Winnemucca still displays signs of the grand old west in its historical building of fine architecture and craftsmanship. Although many structures are gone today, due to the progress and expansion of the town. Many of these relics still stand proud for visitors to admire.

If you are interested in further history of Winnemucca and Humboldt County, we urge you to visit the Humboldt County Museum. Otherwise, we invite you to enjoy the selection of historical landmarks we’ve chosen for our historical walking tour. Keep your eyes open, there are many fine old buildings that we simply didn’t have room to add.  A brochure with the mapped route is available through the Winnemucca Convention & Visitors Authority. 1-800-962-2638