1870
Today’s celebration doesn’t look much like the way Carlinites celebrated over 150 years ago! Let’s take a look back in time to see how it was done in 1870 and then in 1901!
In 1870, the United States celebrated its 94th birthday. A parade was the highlight of the day and it was announced in the newspaper with a very specific list of the order of participants. The order was as follows:
“The Procession will form at the Carlin Hotel, corner of Main and Gillett street, at 9 o’clock A. M., in the following order:
First Division – Headed by the Carlin Band – President of the Day – Orator and Reader in coaches.
Second Division – Drum Corps – Central Pacific Steam Fire Company, marshaled by W. Hazen, Foreman.
Third Division – Ladies in Carriages – Carlin Glee Club – Webster’s Literary Union – W.A. Smith, Marshal.
Fourth Division – Citizens and Invited Guests, headed by the Carlin School, in carriages escorted by the Carlin Hook and Ladder Company, w. Blackburn, Foreman.”
The parade began at 10 a.m. and its route was, as follows:
“Up Main street to tenth; from Tenth to Cedar street, from Cedar to Sixth street, from Sixth to Hamilton, from Hamilton to Fourth street, where the procession will halt opposite the Carlin Hotel, where the literary exercises of the day will be held…”.
The “literary” exercises included a reading of the Declaration of Independence, singing, and music by the Carlin Brass Band.
After the “entertainment”, the whole group would “march to the Picnic Ground, at the head of Maggie creek, at Pierce’s lake, where boats and other amusements will be provided, so that all can enjoy themselves; adjourning with light hearts from the grounds of pleasure to the Ball Room…”
Wow! It was quite an ambitious event and it must have been amazing to see the carriages decked out, the ladies of Carlin in their finest gowns, and the instruments of the brass band shining in the sunlight!
1901
And, what about 30 or so years later? What was the Fourth of July like in Carlin in 1901? Let’s see…
The day began with a baseball game between the Southern Pacific’s steel tank crew and the semi-professional Carlin baseball team, typically referred to as the Carlin nine. The Carlin nine beat the tank crew by one run. After the baseball game, the people of Carlin gathered at the Carlin Library to hear the Carlin Glee Club sing, the reading of the Declaration of Independence, and other speeches. In the afternoon, the fun began. There were bicycle races, foot races, wheelbarrow races, and even a “fat woman’s race” and a “fat man’s race”. A Mrs. Beeler won for the women and Mr. George Arthur for the men. Next came a trap shooting contest and horse racing.
The evening went as follows:
“After the sports were over the time was pleasantly spent until the shades of evening fell, when there was a grand display of fireworks. These over the crowd assembled at the library and danced the hours away to excellent music.”
I wonder if they worried about starting wildfires with fireworks? What would they think of our Poker Walk and Lip Sync Contest? Times have certainly changed. But, I hope that the people who called Carlin home many years ago and the people who call it home today remember that 56 men from different places, backgrounds, and beliefs were willing to compromise so they could do something that we would still celebrate today.
Sources:
1870 – Elko Independent: June 25, 1870
1901 – Elko Weekly Independent: July 5, 1901