Washoe Valley, Nevada: Giant Prospector

He used to prospect outside of a casino, now he sifts dirt next to a candy store.

Our prospector has lost his arm! A lady in the candy store said they got a lot of ice this year and it just got weighed down and broke off. They intend to fix it.

The old prospector is still there, and it's actually a good place to walk and stretch your legs on a long car trip, as there is a little path to walk up to it. Our chihuahua thought he was real and barked at him. Fun little piece of history in a town full of chain stores and strip malls.

This is the Giant Prospector, listed as north of Carson City, next to the Chocolate Factory. He is still there, and much to his surprise, the Nevada Dept of Transportation is helping with his mining operation! Everything is torn up behind him for a new freeway. Apparently, he will be OK, even though the new road is close to his place. Looks like a giant hard rock mining operation these days, under his watchful eye.

While driving south on 395 from Reno and just outside of Carson City, there is a store called the "The Candy Factory" and on the hill above the parking lot is an 18-ft. fiberglass "Prospector" kneeling down holding a rock (gold?) that you can walk up to.

I inquired within the business and the cashier told me that it is one of the six fiqures that were on the Nugget Casino in Reno before it went high-rise and were sold off, when the owner of the Candy Factory bought this one. She didn't know where the other five went. Figure is in bad shape with holes in it. Seems according to the cashier that some families stop and let their kids out and watch as they throw rocks at him! the younger generation has no respect for the marvels of yesteryear!