39.501111, -117.181111

This site is (or was) also referred to as Jacob's Spring. While the Pony Express had a station located at Reese River Station, the Overland Mail and Stage company established its own station a mile to the east at Jacob's Spring. There was also a telegraph maintenance station built here. In 1862, when Lander County was created, Jacobsville became the county seat. By 1863, the rush was on in the Reese River Valley, and Jacobsville prospered, but eventually lost out to Austin.

 JACOBSVILLE, the first county seat of Lander County, was situated six miles west of Austin, was originally a station on the overland stage line, and at one time, in 1863, had a population of three or four hundred; also contained two hotels, three stores, post-office, telegraph office, Court House and fifty residences. By a vote of the people of the county, in September, 1863, the county seat was moved to Austin, and most of the residents followed soon after. There is nothing left of Jacobsville at the present time but a single farm house.

The Reese River excitement began in 1862. At that period the overland mail created all the civilized life of the central and eastern part of the Territory of Nevada. The route crossed the valley of Reese River at Jacobs Station, and from eight to twelve miles northeast crossed the Toiyabe range of mountains, by a pass called Telegraph Cañon. Nearly east of Jacobs Station was a pass, through which the Pony Express riders had often traveled as a cut-off on the overland road, and, as a consequence, received the name of Pony Cañon. From this cañon, on the second of May, 1862, Mr. William M. Talcott, who had been a Pony Express rider before that institution was superseded by the telegraph, was hauling wood for the stage station, and discovered a vein of ore-bearing quartz. The ore was taken to the station, and some sent to Virginia for assay. Proving rich, the report of the new discovery soon got abroad, and the excitement soon followed. The region was a vast, unexplored wilderness, crossed by two overland routes of travel, the Humboldt Valley and the Simpson routes. The mines in Pony Cañon had been discovered, and the name of "Reese River" given to the district. Six miles west, near the stream called Reese River, was a station of the Overland Mail, and the only settlement near. This was then called Jacobs' Springs, afterward called Jacobsville, in honor of George Washington Jacobs, the division agent of the Overland Mail Company. Here was located the county seat, subject to a vote of the people at the next general election. By the provisions of the creative Act, Jacobsville was made the county seat of Lander until a census could be taken, and a permanent location could be fixed upon by a vote of the people. The Governor was authorized to appoint, prior to the next general election, such county and township officers as he might deem necessary. The County Commissioners, thus appointed, held their first meeting March 3, 1863, approved the bonds of officers presented, and granted to J. Gooding a franchise for a toll-road across Warsaw Slough to Jacobsville. They also authorized the County Clerk to advertise for bids for a Court House. At a subsequent meeting, held April 29th, they awarded the contract to J. A. McDonald. He was to have the building completed by the first of August following, and was to receive therefor the sum of $8,440. At the same meeting they divided the county into thirteen districts. The Court House was completed on time; and at the meeting, held August 5th, the Commissioners accepted the building, and issued scrip to the contractor for the amount agreed upon. They also redivided the county into ten districts, each to be a voting precinct, and to have a Justice of the Peace. By a vote of the people at the election, held September 2, 1863, Austin was made the county seat; and the new Board of Commissioners met on the twenty-first of September, at Jacobsville, and adjourned to meet at Austin in the afternoon of the same day. The Court House which had been built at Jacobsville was removed to Austin immediately after, and additions made thereto.
-History of Nevada 1881

This was a time when our Native American brothers often took exception to our presence here.

The station-house in the Reese Rover Valley had lately been evacuated by its proprietors and burnt down by the Indians; a new building of adobe was already assuming a comfortable shape. The food around it being poor and thin, our cattle were driven to the mountains. At night, probably by contrast with the torrid sun, the frost appears colder than ever: we provided against it, however, by burrowing into the haystack, and, despite the jackal-like cry of the coyote and the near tramping of the old white mare, we slept like tops.
-The City of the Saints, and Across the Rocky Mountains to California, Richard Burton
October 18, 1860

Lots of famous folks ventured past.

On the eighteenth day we encountered the eastward-bound telegraph- constructors at Reese River station and sent a message to his Excellency Gov. Nye at Carson City (distant one hundred and fifty-six miles).
-Mark Twain, Roughing It

The site of Jacobsvile and the often-mentioned station were not the same place.

Jacobsville, our present county seat, is situated near the old Reese Rover Station, in the center of a large valley, and contains about 40 houses.
-The Mountain Democrat, May 9, 1863

See something-- say something.

STEALING HORSES -- We understand that there have been several horses stolen at Jacobsville recently, and that Indians are accused of the theft. In order to prevent trouble and probably bloodshed, it would be well for these complaints, if there is any foundation for them, to be laid before Indian Agent Jacobs before any measures of redress are taken.
-Gold Hill Daily News, November 30, 1863

There were several mills close by.

The Fountain Mill at Jacobsville is now lying idle for want of rock to crush. This mill is capable of crushing and amalgamating eighteen tons in twenty-four hours. As great quantities of rock is lying at the mouths of many shafts in this and the neighboring districts, that will pay well for crushing, it is to be hopes that enough will be brought forward to keep all the mills constantly running.
-Gold Hill Faily News, January 23, 1864

Soon there would be litle use for a station and the amenities it provided.

ANTICIPATED CHANGE
In a very short time, the Overland mail route will probably be changed from the present Western route via Toole, Ruby, Austin and Reese River Station to the Northern route via Ogden, Brigham City, Point Look Out, Promontory City and Humboldt Wells Station on the Central Pacific Railroad.
-Weekly Telegraph, January 21, 1869

Bits and pieces of the past are all that remain. We looked around for some obvious signs that this was once a bustling town of 400 people. We didn't find anything.