The Gothic-style Bowers Mansion dates back to the days of the Comstock Lode. In 1864, mining-stock millionaire Sandy Bowers and his psychic wife, Ellie Orum, established their home here between Carson City and Reno overlooking Washoe Lake at an elevation is 5,120 feet. They furnished the unique house with items imported from Europe, lived high for about 20 years, and died in poverty, both buried at the rear of their old home.
Today, the stately old building serves as the Bowers Mansion Museum, preserving its many original artifacts and furnishing as antiques, including brocades, silver tea services, and door hinges and knobs made of silver. The grounds, meanwhile, have been converted for use as a park, with playgrounds, picnic areas, and a swimming pool. The latter is fed by a natural hot springs and features a shallow kiddy pool area.
The Bowers Mansion Museum is located about ten miles north of Carson City at 4005 Old U.S. Highway 395 North, Washoe Valley, Nevada 89704. It is open seasonally, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Operating hours are from 11am to 4:30pm daily. Admission fees are $3 for adults and $2 for children under age 17 and seniors aged 55+.
Grounds look like it is an asset to the community and at least the bathrooms were open.