Carson City was founded in 1858, seven years after the first settlement of Eagle Station trading post was founded in 1851. The city is named after frontiersman Christopher "Kit" Carson. The name was originally given to a river during an 1843-1844 expidition by John C. Fremont. Carson was Fremont's lead scout. Eventually the town started to grow, and some prospective lawyers bought the richest areas of the valley for $500 and a herd of horses. Nevada was an important frontier territory, but it wasn't until President Abraham Lincoln realized the importance of the silver industry that it was ushered into the Union. On October 31, 1864, Nevada became a state of the Union. Of course, for anyone who is familiar with United States history, they'd realize this was during the Civil War. The silver and gold coming out of Nevada was essential for the victory of the North over the South. Carson City was chosen as the state capital and has remained as such to this day.