Sheepshead

Sheepshead is the site of a former town that is located west of the Smoke Creek Desert. Laird Spring is to the south, the Parker Ranch is located to the north.

References

• GNIS
  • Citation: "Carlson, Helen S., 'Nevada Place Names, A Geographical Dictionary,' Reno, Nevada: University of Nevada Press, 1974, 282 pp. Reference work giving historical background on place names in Nevada. p114"
    • p. 20 of Carlson says that Sheepshead Ranch was named for Sheepshead Springs, "which got its name from the head of a mountain sheep nailed to a tree at the site"
    • The Sheepshead post office was in operation from March 28, 1879 until March 15, 1926.
    • Variants are "Sheep Head" and "Sheephead".
• The 1880 Census mentions "Sheep Head".
• "General history and resources of Washoe County, Nevada, published under the auspices of the Nevada Educational Association." (1888)
  • p. 19: "Passing south we come to the Salt Marsh where Adams takes out about 200 tons of salt annually for which he finds a market in Sierra Valley. He obtains his salt by evaporation. Sheep Head, Deep Hole and Round Hole Springs follow. Going southeast from Round Hole sixteen miles we reach Pyramid District."
• Granite Range (1894, Rp. 1923) (UNR) shows "Sheep-head Spring"
• 1895 U.S. Atlas - Washoe County shows "Sheephead"
• 1896 Post Route Map shows "Sheephead" 2 miles north of "Pyramide (n.o)" and 26? miles south of Salt Marsh (n.o.)
• Reno, Washoe Cty, Nevada 1920-21 City Directory Page 234 Lists Bonham Bros. and Bonham, Maud (milliner) along with others.
  • "SHEEPSHEAD. A postoffice on Smoke Creek, 20 miles north of Sand pass, the shipping point on Vv P Ry, 36 miles northeast of Amdee Cal, and 71 miles north of Reno, the county seat and banking point. Stockraising is the principal occupation.
  • Population 50. Martha Ross, Postmaster.
  • Bailey Ed, stage
  • Bonham Bros, cattle dlrs
  • Bonbam Maud, milliner
  • Christensen & Nelson, salt mfrs
  • Cornell Eaton, farmer - Overton (1947) reports that Mr. Cornell, living at Sheepshead Station, knows where Buffalo Salt Works is located.
  • Hager Chas, rancher
  • Heller Bros, salt mfrs
  • Heller Margaret, dresmkr
  • Hom Arthur, cigars and tobacco
  • Laird Ed, horse dlr
  • Mott Roy, farmer
  • Norton H L, notary public
  • Parker W T, farmer
  • Rogers Chas, horse dlr
  • Ross Martha, postmaster, hotel and stock raising
  • Ross Wm, Farmer
• Find-a-grave Ross Francis Bonham b.1888, Sheepshead, d. 1966