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Genoa is located in Douglas County just a few miles south of Carson City, Nevada. Genoa was founded in 1851 by John Reese as a trading post on the route from Utah across the Sierra Mountains to Sacramento. It claims to be the first permanent settlement in Nevada. Because most of the people who settled there were Mormons it was first known as Mormon Station. In 1855 Mormon Elder Orson Hyde surveyed the town and renamed it Genoa in honor of Christopher Columbus. The Overland Trail passed through town and Reese prospered until the Mormons were called back to Salt Lake in 1857. Reese returned to Salt lake City in 1859. It was designated the County Seat of Douglas County and the courthouse was constructed in 1865. The Genoa Bar claims to be the oldest "thirst palace" in Nevada and brags that it has hosted many famous personalities including Mark Twain and Teddy Roosevelt. It has also been featured in a number of movies. Genoa was the home of Jon "Snowshoe" Thompson and he is buried in the Genoa cemetery. In 1910 a disastrous fire destroyed the town center and in 1916 the county seat was moved to Minden.
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