House History

Thought to date from about 1858, the house was owned by A. Seamon from at least 1874 until1909. It was then bought by August Syll and occupied by his family until 1983, which led to it's sale to current owner Phil Stoll. Mrs. Stoll spent many years restoring the house

About Genoa

The White House Bed and Breakfast is nestled in the small town of Genoa, and is filled with historical charm. Genoa, pronounced “ju-NO-ah,” is nestled on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada in Carson Valley, 20 minutes from Lake Tahoe’s world-class skiing. Established in 1851 by Mormon traders, it was called Mormon Station until 1855 when, as legend has it, Judge Orson Hyde changed the name of the community to Genoa after Genoa, Italy the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

The town was the home to Nevada's first hotel, newspaper and court. Nevada's first newspaper, the Territorial Enterprise was founded in Genoa in 1858, but moved to Virginia City, Nevada in 1860. Another first for the state, the Genoa Bar, billed "Nevada's oldest thirst parlor", was patronized by Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt and Johnny Cash and was used in John Wayne and Clint Eastwood films.The village was also the set for the movie "Misery", starring Kathy Bates. The village size doubled in size with buildings added and then removed after the filming.

Much of Genoa, including the original fort, station and hotel was destroyed in a fire in 1910, but replica of the fort was built in 1947. Every year since 1919 Genoa has held a festival called The Candy Dance, where candy, food and crafts are sold to support its town government. The Candy Dance is usually held during the final weekend of September. Many pioneers rest in the Genoa graveyard including Snowshoe Thompson, his wife and his son

You can spend the day shopping at Genoa Square, where you’ll find unique gifts, old-fashioned candy and freshly ground coffee, or have a picnic at Mormon Station State Historic Park. On a warm day, you can grab a cool drink at the Genoa Bar, Nevada’s oldest saloon. After a round of golf at Genoa Lakes Golf Club, relax with a massage at David Walley’s Hot Springs and or a glass of wine at the Tahoe Ridge Winery tasting room. Be sure to visit Genoa’s historic buildings—Genoa Town Hall, Genoa Community Church and Genoa Courthouse Museum.

 

If you are visiting Genoa in September, make plans to attend the annual Candy Dance. The event began in 1919 to raise money for streetlights by passing out candy at a dance and continued to pay the electric bills. In 1970 a small crafts fair was added, and now the Candy Dance Arts and Crafts Fair draws large crowds, closing down the streets for an entire weekend.