[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PAYING TRIBUTE TO CITY OF YERINGTON CENTENNIAL

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                          HON. JON C. PORTER-

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of 
Yerington Centennial Celebration.
  Yerington is truly a unique city that is rich in history. Situated 
along the banks of the Walker River, the green fields and tree lined 
highways of Mason Valley are surrounded by picturesque mountains full 
of history such as ghost towns and mining camps. On March 14, 1907, 
Governor John Sparks signed into law a bill that incorporated Yerington 
as a city. The origins of Yerington can be traced back to the 1850s 
when N.H.A. ``Hock'' Mason settled in the valley that now bears his 
name and in 1871, the Mason Valley Post Office was established in the 
town near the Walker River.
  The town was referred to by many as ``Pizen Switch,'' which folklore 
traces to the inferior grade of whiskey sold in a local saloon that was 
constructed of willow branches, and in 1879, the town was rechristened 
``Greenfield.'' In 1880, Henry Marvin Yerington, the General 
Superintendent of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, founded the Carson 
and Colorado Railroad that soon extended through Dayton, Fort 
Churchill, Wabuska in Northern Mason Valley. By 1894, the residents 
officially changed the names of the town and its post office to 
Yerington, in an unsuccessful effort to flatter Henry Yerington so that 
he would extend his rail line south through the town named after him. 
In 1911, the county seat of Lyon County was moved from Dayton to the 
thriving and growing City of Yerington.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the Centennial Celebrations of the 
City of Yerington. The City of Yerington truly has a colorful and rich 
history that deserves recognition and I commend the efforts of Mayor 
Douglas Homestead, and City Council members Bill Vicencio, Rita 
Evasovic, Richard Faber and George Dini in facilitating this Centennial 
Celebration.

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