The cemetery's first known burials were in 1861, when Nevada became a Territory and Washoe City became the Washoe County seat. Washoe City grew as an industrial community because wood and water needed to work the Comstock ores were vital resources there. Wagons hauled lumber and cordwood over Jumbo Grade to Virginia City and brought tons of ore back to local stamp mills. The Atchison mill was built on Steamboat Creek in 1861, and lots were laid out between Little Washoe Lake and the foothills. In 1863, a two story brick court house stood there. A flume brought lumber and water for the ice pond from the Mount Rose area. The population reached 2,000 in 1865. In 1869, the new Virginia & Truckee Railroad began hauling ore to Brunswick Canyon on the Carson River. Business lagged, and the State Legislature moved county government to Reno in 1871. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad arrived at Washoe City in 1872. In 1873, a large fire burned most of Old Washoe.