This is a town with deep roots in adventure. John C. Fremont, one of the West’s great explorers, made the first recorded account of the area back in 1844. He was on his second expedition to explore and map the West and followed the course of the Walker River into a large fertile valley later named Mason Valley after the area’s first settler N.H.A. “Hock” Mason.

During the 1800’s the Indian Paiute messiah, Wovoka, lived in the region. In 1889, Wovoka began teaching the peaceful Ghost Dance Religion, which was misinterpreted by whites and eventually led to the killing of Sitting Bull. Today the “Spirit of Wovoka” is celebrated annually with an August powwow.

Yerington is located in the lush green Mason Valley and is the county seat of Lyon County. In a state that is generally dry and arid, Mason Valley is unique in that two river systems flow through the valley, the East and West Walker rivers. The valley is one of the state’s richest agricultural regions producing alfalfa, onions, organic lettuce, garlic, and dairy products. It is conveniently located in Western Nevada close to Reno, Lake Tahoe, and the Nevada State Capitol, Carson City.

It’s also a region rich in mining history. You can see the huge open pit Anaconda Copper Mine from a special lookout point or visit the Lyon County Museum located on Main Street to learn more about the history of this valley.