Chautauqua performer Michael E. Fischer will portray Carson Valley rancher Heinrich F. Dangberg in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park, Saturday, June 20 beginning at 10 a.m.
H.F. Dangberg Sr. came to the United States in 1848 as a young immigrant from the Kingdom of Prussia, and thence began a journey westward that ended in Douglas County, Nevada in 1853.
As this Chautauqua presentation demonstrates, it was the combined force of his personality, work ethic, and intellect that led him to become a prominent figure in the early history of Nevada. His primary legacy is in the development of irrigation systems to support arid land.
He served in both houses of the Nevada legislature and also formed the H.F. Dangberg Land and Live Stock Corporation with greater than 20,000 acres in the Carson Valley. He made few friends along the way but supported many of the early Carson Valley residents in their attempts to reach America. Like him or not, H.F. Dangberg's legacy still engenders strong opinions about his methods and motives.
Raised and educated in Reno public schools, Michael E. Fischer earned a Bachelor of Science degree at UNR and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Southern California. After working in private practice for 31 years, he retired from dentistry and was appointed Director of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs, serving in both Governor Gibbons' and Governor Sandoval's Cabinet until the department was formally disbanded. He is now an independent scholar whose interests include the history of Nevada cowboys and ranching, politics, bootlegging, gambling, and crime.
The park is located at 1450 Hwy 88, ¼ mile north of the Carson Valley Veterinary Hospital. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or use one of the park’s chairs. Dogs are not permitted in the park, with the exception of certified service animals. For more information, visit dangberghomeranch.org or call 775-783-9417.