Discover Welcome Walking Tour

Thank you for your interest in our history!

#1 The Mountain

Take a look at that beautiful mountain before you. It doesn’t have a name. Nancy calls it “My Mountain.” It is such a treasure. And it was found to be so after Harry Cazier took over Trout Creek Ranch in 1908 from his father, John Cazier. Now Harry had graduated from the University of Nevada in 1906 with an engineering degree. In exploring the mountain drainages he discovered the Trout Creek headwaters never went dry. Look at the mountain now and find the drainage on your left as you face the mountain, or the farthest east drainage. That is where an artesian spring comes up from the hillside and where Trout Creek begins.

And this is where Harry saw that the stream had enough fall to provide a reliable source of hydroelectric power. For the next number of years he worked to pipe and plan the electric plant up there. In 1927 he formed his own power company called Wells Power Company. It became the first rural electrification project in Nevada. And in late fall of 1927 power began running to the town of Wells and in 1928 to the Deeth and Starr Valley areas. It still is running today, although of course updated with the times. And the waterway runs through Welcome Station on the west side. Make sure you go there to enjoy it!

Now, for the next stop, turn around and walk down the driveway to the old building and find the stake for #2.

#2 The Bar-and-Grill / Apartment

We love this old building. However, we don’t know how long it will stand. We’re not sure of the date it was built but we love the art deco look of the roof. For years this was a “Bar and grill” we are told. Inside there is an old bar covered with that white and gold Formica and two very old porcelain sink cupboards.

Before 1950, the sunroom was added. Above, you can see how the building looked before the conversion

A few years back we had a lady come and visit who said she had lived in the building in the early 60s, after it was a bar and grill. She told us she was a newlywed and her husband worked on the road crew. She remembers only that there was a pasture “out back” and that there were numerous rattlesnakes always at the foundation of the sun room. We have not seen any rattlesnakes here.

Moving on to #3, continue your walk down the driveway until you reach the fence at the end of our property. There you will see #3 by the big power boxes.

#3 The Neighboring Hooper Ranch

As you explore our five acres of Welcome Station RV Park at Welcome, NV do consider the ranch land you see. All around you is the Hooper Ranch, even across the road and up into the mountain. They purchased these many acres 26 years ago from Harry Cazier. They are great neighbors and we enjoy their livestock in this field.

We also enjoy their several “cattle drives” each year as they move their cattle from place to place.

Now it is time to head to Trout Creek. Find the sign that says “Memory Falls" and stop at #4.

#4 Mr. Art Knigge

Glad you found it. We honor the longtime caretaker and lover of this property, Mr. Art Knigge at this stop on the Discover Welcome Walking Tour. In 2018 we dedicated these falls to the man who made them. In 2023, Mr. Art requested the sign be named Memory Falls for his own memories of Welcome Stations as well as YOUR memories made during your stay here. Here is Art's story: Around 2003 Mr. and Mrs. Art Knigge moved here in a trailer. They were retired and as time went on Art, being a Marine, wanted something constructive to do with his time. Art and his wife built the waterfalls using upside down guard rails and plenty of rocks! After his wife passed, he moved into the old “bar and grill” which was then an apartment. He also procured these big posts and then built the bridges so that the opposite side of the stream could be accessed and the rhubarb picked! In the spring we are so thankful for his planting of the many bulbs which adorn the creekside for almost two months in May and June. Art single-handedly mowed, watered, parked and weed-eated this property for years as the few travelers stopped by. His love for the travelers was evident as he spent time talking with them during their visit. Art graciously stayed with us and showed us “the ropes” until June of 2019 and now splits his time being with his family and staying here at Welcome, the place that he loves! See his Marine photo in the museum in the Veterans honor corner. Above is Art as he helped us raise the new garage on the side of the shop in 2019.

Now to the next stop to discover a bit more history. Turn around and go to Mr. Steve’s shop building and then look across the drive to the big tree on the corner of the line of trees behind the Station House and look for stop #5.

#5 The Cabins

The Jewkes during their ownership built cabins just north of where you are standing (that would be on the other side of this row of trees. When we bought the property in 2017, the first site here was not being used and was very unlevel and deeply rutted. Now we know that a row of cabins ran east and west across the property here. There was another line of cabins that ran north and south on the east side of the station house. These pictures above and below show the cabins; notice how big the trees were even then in the 1950s.

We do not know when the cabins were removed or by whom. They were evidence, though, of a great era in American history as people began to travel this great country along US Highway 40. We have heard that it was called Welcome Motor Park in those days.

The walking tour is coming to an end, only one more stop and then the museum awaits you! Turn around and head to the office. You will see a big tree by the ramp. Walk on the other side of the tree to find stop #6.

#6 The Station House

We have heard that the Station House was built in 1921 and that would make it over 100 years old. A grand building in its time, it housed a grocery store, a service station, and held VFW (Veterans of Foreign War) meetings inside. When you enter the museum, look at the doors and see the mail slot and the two holes where nails once held the keys for the Men and Ladies restrooms.

Try taking a photo in the same place these grandchildren of Floyd and Irene stood playing. Their names were Rhonda and Carol and they were Laverne’s girls.

Now, look to your right, as you are facing the Station House. See that big lilac bush there. It is the same little bush that is in this picture of Laverne and Kenny taken in 1943 after they joined the US Navy in World War II. The history here is remarkable.

Now, head right over to the Museum to conclude your Discover Welcome Walking Tour.

Thanks for touring!