Empire City was a milling town that was established in 1855. As you read this storyboard you are facing east toward Brunswick Canyon. The City of Empire was located to your right about 1/4 - 1/2 mile. At one time Empire City stretched for 3/4 of a mile and had a peak population of 700 people. Located on the Carson River, it got its nickname, Seaport, because the river was used to ship timber here from Alpine County. Previously the timber had been hauled over the mountains. The town milled lumber, most of which was used in the underground labyrinth of the Comstock Lode. The primary ore that was milled here was silver and gold bearing quartz rock. A seven-mile portion of the river was dotted with mills and settlements from the Mexican Mill to the south, in Empire, to the Eureka Mill at the far eastern end of Brunswick Canyon toward Dayton. Of these mills in the Empire area, the most famous one was Gregory's Mill which was built in 1859. this mill produced an average of 15,000 feet of lumber a day, and was the first steam powered mill in the Western Utah Territory. Nevada achieved Statehood, October 31, 1864. The main ore mill was the Mexican Mill which was built in 1861. It was water and steam powered. The Mexican Ditch was created to divert water from the Carson River to run the mill. The Mexican Mill processed 75 tons a day, had its own wood ranch and employed nine people; it occupied a portion of what is now the Empire Golf Course. In 1885, it was closed down. There were also two other main mills. They were the Mead and Morgan Mills and they were both water powered. The Mead Mill, built in 1861, employed 16 men and processed 20 tons a day. The Morgan Mill processed 80 tons a day. Serving some of the mills was the Virginia & Truckee Railroad whose tracks were immediately to the south along Morgan Mill Road. By 1878, the mills had closed down one by one. No one currently lives in Brunswick Canyon which the Carson River flows through, but the Empire City area now has a variety of homes and businesses.There are approximately 200 people buried in Empire Cemetery. The people buried here had an assortment of occupations such as: Laborers in the mills, shopkeepers, blacksmiths, carpenters, cooks, feeders, masons, real estate agents and amalgamators. Not all of the people here made it to adulthood as there are many children buried here. Also interned is a Vietnam Veteran who died serving his country.Boy Scouts of America have been active at this site. Three Eagle Scout projects have helped to restore this cemetery. The first was done by Matt Young in July of 2003 and the second was done by Michael Barnes in October of 2004. Both Scouts came from Troop 33. The most recent Boy Scout Eagle project was completed in April of 2013 by Jace Zampirro of Troop 16, Carson City. Rex Jennings has been an active volunteer here. The pictures were acquired form(sp) the Western Nevada Historic Photo Collection.
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