When Fort Churchill was constructed alongside the Carson River and on the Pony Express route in 1861, it was meant to serve multiple purposes. First, to intimidate local Confederate sympathizers; and second, to intimidate the local Paiutes. The fort was constructed of adobe, with bricks made from local mud, and with sparing use of timber for roof beams and lintels. (Timber had to be brought in from the Carson Range some 30-35 miles west.) The post, although very remote at the time, at least kept those stationed there out of…
