The Oasis of Nevada and its 8,000 citizens will celebrate Fallon’s centennial of becoming an incorporated city on Thursday.

At the turn of the 20th century, Fallon did not exist, but Mike Fallon sold his ranch in what was called Jim’s Town to Warren Williams.

Williams, who became a state senator, began selling lots in 1903. As a lawmaker, Williams pushed legislation for the county seat to be relocated from Stillwater to Fallon.

The beginning of a town

Williams laid out the west side of town from the ranch he purchased from Fallon and named Maine Street after his native state. Other streets were named after friends.

The eastern part of the city was established on land owned by John Oats.

After voters rejected a special incorporation act in 1907, the city incorporated in 1908 under a general incorporation act. Large groups of people were expected to move to Fallon to homestead, and a population of 20,000 was expected to occur within a few years.

The city went through many phases in its history. Initially, Fallon was a mining town, and in 1919 the city experienced an oil boom.

Growing alfalfa has been and is still one of the most stable income for local farmers. Currently, the valley’s 30,000 farming acres produces an average of 5 tons per acre — 70 percent is shipped out of state.

Remembering a small town

Mert Domonoske, mayor of Fallon for 16 years and a city council member for another three terms, remembers when the city’s population was much smaller.

Domonoske, who served on the Centennial Committee, said it was a great honor to do so.

“I am pleased with what the committee has done to celebrate our 100 years,” said the 60-year resident.

When he moved to Fallon in 1948, Domonoske said there were about 2,300 residents, and the only road leading out of town was a two-lane highway.

“It has changed a great deal,” he said, adding, he knew everyone and everyone knew him.

“The good thing in Fallon are the nice and friendly people that we have,” he said. “It is a nice place to live.”

Smiley Kent moved to Fallon in 1950 after marrying Bob Kent in Elko. Her husband grew up in Fallon and has spent his entire life here.

The couple first lived in a home in downtown Fallon, and Maine Street was the place in town where people shopped,

Kent said there was not much traffic in the 1950s, and businesses were scattered throughout the city. What she first noticed about Fallon was its peacefulness and all the trees on Williams Avenue. She said Center Street also served as the Lincoln Highway and was the road on which people traveled when leaving town.

She said the town always pulled together during tough times, and remembers Mom’s Place at Allen Road and Williams Avenue as the last business on the west side of town.

“The town keeps going west,” she said. “The town has expanded so much.”

Kent said she is looking forward to Thursday’s celebration.

“That is a very important event for us,” she said. “That was the beginning of our lives here.”

She added it means a lot to her family since Ira H. Kent opened his store before the city incorporated.

“We have been around a long time. Any date that portrays a century is important to the people in Fallon. I am very proud Fallon is seen as a well-known city with a good reputation.”

Virgil Getto said the celebration has extra meaning to him because his father moved to Fallon in 1908, the same year the city incorporated.

He said the roads leading in and out of town were not paved in the early 1900s, and residents relied on horses and buggies for transportation.

Getto said Thursday celebration will be an honor for the city and added his family is looking forward to the event.

“It means a lot to me,” he said.