Robert Presswood and his family found it after 13 clues hidden among the rock in front of the Nevada State Museum.
Explanations for the 2005 Nevada Day Treasure Hunt Clues
Clue No. 1
The curtain rises
The grand stage is set
Follow the clues
And hope for the best
Explanation: This is simply an introduction to the event
Clue No. 2
East toward the barrens
It flows along a windy path
Four out of six?
You do the math
Explanation: The Carson River flows east through four of the six possible counties in which the treasure can be hidden. The treasure is lies in one of those four counties
Clue No. 3
Utopian, Pleasant, and Heavenly
Form the field
Search it well
The prize it does yield
Explanation: On a map, Utopian Mine in Douglas County, Pleasant Valley, and Heavenly Ski Resort form a triangle, which encompasses the hidden medallion
Clue No. 4
Number five
Was a two-six-oh
This name helps
Direct you where to go
Explanation: Engine #5 of the V&T Railroad was nicknamed “Ormsby.” The medallion is hidden in Carson City, once Ormsby County
Clue No. 5
A link that lacks connection;
A spur without a boot –
Find this oxymoron
And you’ll be near the loot
Explanation: The Carson City bypass official number is 580. Connecting highways designated with an odd first digit do not reconnect to the parent highway; in this case, I-80. These connecting highways are called spurs
Clue No. 6
Education and doctors
This major money buys
If you can nab this clue
Your chance to win will rise
Explanation: Major Max C. Fleischmann donated money to UNR (i.e. the Fleischmann Planetarium), the Carson-Tahoe Hospital – for which Fleischmann Way is named, and the Nevada State Museum. Nab and rise are hints to the source of the Major’s money. He was head of Nabisco and his father was in the yeast industry
Clue No. 7
From the mountain
To the valley
Press on treasure hunters
Don’t dilly-dally
Explanation: Mountain and Valley Street form the east of west boundaries of the playing field
Clue No. 8
He was a father
One could say
For because of him
Was born a day
Explanation: Judge Clark Guild lobbied Congress to form the first official Nevada Day. He also was instrumental in purchasing the old Carson Mint for use as a state museum
Clue No. 9
Fifth is seventh
Of all fifteen.
Long is short
Search in between
Explanation: There are fifteen stoplights in Carson City. From south to north, Fifth is the seventh signal. Long narrows the search area. The treasure is between Fifth and Long streets
Clue No. 10
It’s a duke, a saint
And a wrinkle in time
It bypasses 60
And answers this rhyme
Explanation: The Blue Line Tour winds past 60 homes in West Carson including the house used in the filming of ‘The Shootist,’ Saint Teresa’s or St. Charles, and the Rinkel Mansion. The Nevada State Museum is also located on the Blue Line Tour
Clue No. 11
Hunters paid
To mine this place
Tripled their money
At a meager pace
Explanation: Once, placer miners paid $600 to placer mine the grounds of the Carson Mint. After 6 months they profited $1800
Clue No. 12
Five names converge
Near the spot
Where the treasure lies
You’re getting hot.
Explanation: A plaque on the corner stone of the Museum commemorates Gov. Carville, Judge Clark Guild, Max C. Fleischmann, Donavan and Pike for helping the create the museum.
Clue No. 13
Change is inevitable
So it’s nice to have known
That some things are
Set in stone.
Explanation: The medallion was hidden under a stone on the grounds of the museum. “Change” was a reference to the Mint.
Clue No. 14
Feeling bushed?
Feeling beat?
Weary hunters
Have a seat.
Explanation: The grounds near the hidden medallion include a depiction of the state and its county ‘seats.’ The treasure was also hidden near the ‘bushes.’