Douglas County is located directly south of Carson City, and about 40 minutes to the south of Reno. To the west lies South Lake Tahoe and Markleeville, both cities landing on the California 
side of the border. In this same area, at the base of the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, lies a beautiful view of Carson Valley, home to Gardnerville, Genoa, Minden, and Topaz Lake. The county seat sits in Minden, where it has for over 100 years. At approximately 738 square miles, Douglas is home to rich history, outdoor recreation and a community of 47,632 individuals (DETR, 2017). The US-50 takes you up the scenic western border of the county, while the US-395 takes you north and south from Gardnerville Ranchos up to Indian Hills.
Douglas was one of the nine original counties as part of the first Nevada Territorial
Legislature. Its county seat then, Genoa, is the oldest permanent settlement in Nevada. It was settled in 1851, first known as Mormon Station, and was a part of a number of communities established as trading posts and centers for ranching and farming (see Parks and Recreation History of Douglas County). Genoa was also a popular stop for supplies and goods for those traveling west during the historic gold rush.
For a more in-depth look at what makes Douglas County a community, you can read the full Douglas County Cultural Overview.
