History Hunt: Nine original street lights remain in Genoa

While many may not know the name of Lillian Virgin Finnegan, they probably know the Genoa Candy Dance.

Lillian is the woman who started the Genoa Candy Dance in 1919 to raise money to purchase street lights for the town. The dance was held at the Raycraft Hotel, and Lillian and other Genoa women made candy to serve at the dance. In the years that followed, the annual dance continued as a way to raise money to pay the town's electric bill for the street lights. It was considered the "Big Event of the Season" by the people in the Carson Valley, Reno and surrounding communities.

At a recent Chautauqua held at the Dangberg Historic Ranch, Genoa resident Kim Copel entertained the crowd in her portrayal of Mrs. Finnegan, who was also a suffragette, local school teacher and daughter of a local judge.

During that event, Copel shared a map of the Candy Dance streetlights that remain in Genoa, courtesy of her business, Genoa Historic Ghost Tours.

With map in hand, I started my walk of this historic town, looking for each light still hanging after all these years. To begin, I parked my car at Antiques Plus which is located at the Dake House (a "must do" on my list of things to enjoy in Genoa). Right across the street is the first Candy Dance light.

You can walk into town and get back in your car (driving or riding a bike is MUCH easier) and head north along Foothill Road. Turn left on the appropriately named Candy Dance Lane. Turn right on Junction Alley and you'll see light #2 and light #3 is just a few yards down at the intersection with Carson Street. Turn left here and head up the hill to Genoa Street. Turn right and the light #4 will be at the intersection with Mill Street. Turn right on Mill and light #5 is about halfway down the street. A few feet away is the historic Genoa Bar.

Back on Foothill Road, head north and turn left on Nixon (the four way stop in the middle of town). Right near the Genoa Park and Community Church is light #6. From here, continue up the hill and turn right onto Poplar Street. You'll find light #7 at the the intersection with 5th Street.

Turn left on 5th and then make a right on Genoa Street. Just a few yard down, at the intersection with 1st street is light #8.

You're almost done with your treasure hunt!

You get back on Main Street and make a right (head south). Back at the four-way stop, make a left onto Genoa Lane past the Mormon Station Park. Halfway to Kinsey Way you'll see the last remaining Candy Dance light hanging from the light pole.

Perhaps you'll take your own Candy Dance light historical treasure hunt next time you're in Genoa. Lillian would be proud her efforts are still being enjoyed almost 100 years later.