RonnieAdventure #0026 – Lovelock, Nevada

Most people only think of Lovelock as the county seat for Pershing County, Nevada, and the location of one of the most unique courthouse in the United States; however, Lovelock is also for lovers!

The Pershing County Courthouse was constructed as a monumental building to outdo anything that rival Humboldt County had, or could construct. The circular designed courthouse is said to have taken its architectural style from the Thomas Jefferson library at the University of Virginia.

The courthouse is a Beaux-Arts classical designed building that has six ionic columns that support a pediment style portico at the front entrance. The inside of the circular building has a round courtroom in the center of the structure, surrounded by offices around the perimeter. A shallow dome covers the courtroom and there is various artwork on the inside of the courtroom walls depicting early periods in American history. The building’s basement has a similar design, but not as elaborate.

 

Pershing County Courthouse

 

Circular Courtroom

 

Interior Art Work

By now you are probably wondering how a unique courthouse has anything to do with lovers – well, it doesn’t! However, in 2005 there was an employee at the Nevada tourism department from China and when she saw the name “Lovelock,” she told of an ancient Chinese custom of forever “locking” one’s love on a never-ending chain and then throwing away the key. The tourism department liked the idea and on Valentine’s Day, 2006, Lovelock became the official “love-locking” destination in the United States. It is said that as long as your lock remains secured on the chain, love will endure. Now you know where to take your spouse on your next vacation! (P.S. If you forget your lock, the local merchants will be more than happy to sell you a new one.)

Never-Ending Chain of Locks

 

As a follow-up to RonnieAdventure #24 (Silver State Classic Challenge), Nik and a co-worker were in Ely and photographed some of the cars that participated in the race. You can see their pictures at http://imgur.com/a/yujJm.

 

The fall colors in Northern Nevada are really great this time of year!

 

 Northern Nevada Fall Colors