first installed. The chimney, which services fireplaces on all three floors, (including what would be considered a basement today) is still intact. These simple treasures were re-discovered by the WCYC. It’s hard to imagine that this significant piece of Utah’s history sat vacant for four years. In dire need of cleanup, the Youth Council’s advisors, Carmen Snow, Sherrie Reeder, and Washington City Councilman Jeff Turek, saw the project as an opportunity for the WCYC to have a firsthand experience in preserving local history. Snow and Reeder both have long been committed to the community, which their own ancestors helped settle. “To give the kids the opportunity to really be a part of uncovering stories from the past will hopefully provide them with a future commitment to caring for community,” Carmen shared. “Sherrie and I have spent hours upon hours in this house reminiscing our own heritage here in Washington.” The youth spent months cleaning, scrubbing and discovering the treasures of the home that had been kept under private ownership the past century. In October of 2012, the Historic Covington Mansion re-opened its doors to the community. The history of the home and the events that took place on the property since its inception some 150 years ago have become the fascination of the WCYC for continued research. And the fact that the Washington City Council has collaborated with the WCYC on the use and future direction of this cherished property is commendable. “If we give our youth the opportunity to learn about the sacrifices made by the people that settled the area, we can strengthen their appreciation for the place they call home.”
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A Cowboy’s Dream
A Wild West Tribute to Charlie Frias WRITTEN BY Darci Hansen
Vision and passion. Charlie Frias had both. The man who made his fortune in the taxi business had a huge heart and a big dream. When Charlie passed away in 2006, his wife Phyllis literally built that dream in 18,997 square feet of pure luxury. Nestled south of the majestic Nevada Sierras, in the curious town of Alamo, lies a desert hideaway so stately, so serene, so picturesque that it can only be described as A Cowboy’s Dream.
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Charlie and Phyllis moved to Las Vegas in 1958, where he began working as a taxi driver for ABC Union Cab Company. By 1966 the Frias’ not only purchased ABC Union Cab Company but three other companies as well: Ace Cab, Vegas Western Cab and A-North Las Vegas Cab. Building a transportation empire, Charlie went on to form A-Virgin Valley Cab Company in Mesquite, Airline Limousine, and Las Vegas Limousine. The Frias’ generously donated to education and other programs throughout Clark County. So much so that a school was named after them as was Las Vegas fire station No. 21. A Cowboy’s Dream is an eight-suite Bed & Breakfast Hotel built in the rural town of Alamo, Nevada. Located 90 miles north of Las Vegas, Alamo attracts visitors with an interest in wildlife due to its proximity to the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. Phyllis and Charlie shared in their desire to create a destination rooted deep in the spirit of family and tradition but when Charlie died in 2006, it was Phyllis who would see it through. Ginger Tharp, Project Design Specialist and close friend of Phyllis, designed both the interior and exterior of the home paying attention to every minor detail on the nearly 19,000 sq.ft structure. The house features a two story wood framed structure. The interior of the home including each individual guest room is designed with furniture, accessories, art and custom wall finishes to complement each uniquely themed space.
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Although the guest rooms are privy to their sense of style, there is no shortage of true western decor. The showers in each suite contain natural rain showerheads, custom-made bath products and private balconies. Barns and silos were taken down from Indiana and trucked to Nevada to provide the older, weathered appeal. Textures and materials ooze cowboy culture. The wood flooring was installed with spacers underneath. In time this process will make the wood-flooring creak as though it has been there for 100 years. Rocking chairs, buffalo horns, a mix of artwork, and a few Native American pieces provide the authenticity that connects the present to the past. The bunkhouse, a separate structure, was designed for pure fun in Wild West fashion. The bunkhouse is complete with bistro tables, pool table, dartboard, and a big screen television. Materials used in the interior include old barn wood and distressed tin. The bathrooms boast Jack Daniel’s barrel sinks keeping in line with the Wild West feel. Well worth the drive, A Cowboy’s Dream is the unique place with modern day conveniences that take you back in time when the west was won. And although Charlie Frias may not be on the property, you can certainly feel him present in the place that dreams are made of. woman
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