Double Springs was a hotel on the toll road to Aurora and Bodie. It was named after two springs that had been used by Native Americans for round dances in the spring and fall. The earliest recorded name of the place was Round Tent Ranch.
Rancher S.D. Fairchild claimed over 300 acres in the area in 1861. He opened a hotel, barn and stable. Later, the property was owned by H.W. Bagley and then James C. Dean, who became a notorious figure in the area.
The Double Springs Hotel was torn down in 1887. The lumber was moved to South Camp, a mining camp, and used for buildings there. All that’s left to mark the spot is the historical marker.
Historical Marker Inscription
Double Springs, also known as Round Tent Ranch or Spragues, was a station on the road through the south end of the Pine Nut Mountains located at a pair of nearby springs. The road provided access between Carson and Walker valleys, both ranching and dairy regions in western Nevada. Double Springs also saw many travelers on their way to Esmeralda County. At one time, a toll road ran from this area west to the Kingsbury Road that still connects to Lake Tahoe.
About four miles north along the highway is the former location of Mammoth Ledge, also known as Carter’s Station. That site served as the post office for the Eagle Mining District, and the polling place in 1861 of the Mammoth Precinct of Douglas County. Stations like these provided water, supplies, and rest for travelers prior to the popularization of the automobile.
STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO. 126
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
CARSON VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Historical Markers of the World 