From Scottish Lass to Silver Seeress

Picture this: a spirited young lass named Alison "Eilley" Oram, born in the Royal Burgh of Forfar, Scotland, in September 1826. While her peers were content with the pastoral life, Eilley had her sights set on grander horizons. Armed with a peep stone (her personal crystal ball) she foresaw a future brimming with wealth and opulence. Spoiler alert: the crystal ball conveniently omitted the "how-to" manual for amassing and maintaining said fortune.

At the tender age of 15, Eilley married Stephen Hunter, a man slightly her senior but lacking in the adventure (and wealth) departments. Fast forward six years, and Stephen had a religious epiphany, joining the Mormon Church. Eilley, ever the supportive spouse, accompanied him across the pond to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the burgeoning Mormon hub of Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. Alas, their union fizzled, leading to a childless divorce in 1850.

Not one to wallow, Eilley hitched her wagon to Alexander Cowan in 1853. Their missionary zeal led them to Mormon Station (now Genoa, Nevada) and then to Franktown in Washoe Valley. They acquired a sprawling 320-acre farm, complete with a house and corral. But when Uncle Sam sent troops to Utah in 1857, Brigham Young summoned his flock back to Salt Lake City. Alex obeyed; Eilley did not. She divorced Cowan and set her compass for Gold Canyon, near present-day Virginia City, where she opened a boarding house catering to prospectors and miners.

Love, Silver, and the Art of Fortune-Telling

In Gold Canyon, Eilley diversified her portfolio. She ordered a new crystal ball, delivered by the legendary skiing mailman, Snowshoe Thompson and began offering psychic readings.

Legend has it, a cash-strapped miner settled his debt by gifting Eilley a 10-foot claim adjacent to one owned by Lemuel Sanford "Sandy" Bowers, an unpolished muleskinner from Missouri.

The silver lining? In 1859, the Comstock Lode's rich deposits turned their modest claims into a jackpot. Eilley and Sandy combined assets, both marital and mineral, and struck it rich.

Their mine reportedly raked in $18,000 weekly, with their fortune peaking at a cool $4 million. They built a lavish mansion in Washoe Valley, complete with solid gold doorknobs, and embarked on a European shopping spree, spending $100,000 on furnishings. Eilley even attempted to hobnob with Queen Victoria, but Her Majesty wasn't keen on entertaining divorcees.

Mansion Mania and High Society Shenanigans

Back in Nevada, the Bowers' mansion became the talk of the territory. Designed by ex-California governor J. Neely Johnson, the mansion showcased Georgian and Italianate architectural flair. Eilley's European shopping spree filled the home with opulent furniture, statuary, and paintings.

The couple spared no expense, hosting lavish banquets where champagne flowed like the Truckee River during spring thaw.

Sandy, ever the generous host, famously declared, "I've had powerful good luck, and I've got money to throw at the birds." And throw it they did, with parties that would make Gatsby green with envy.

The Silver Slump: From Fortune to Foreclosure

But all that glitters isn't silver. Upon returning from Europe, the Bowers discovered their mine's luster had dulled. Unscrupulous managers and dwindling ore led to financial woes.

Sandy's health took a nosedive, and he passed away in 1868, leaving Eilley to grapple with mounting debts.

Ever the enterprising spirit, Eilley transformed the mansion into a resort, hosting picnics and soirees to generate income. The mansion became a hotspot, with events like the annual Miner's Ball drawing crowds.

Yet, despite her efforts, the financial strain proved insurmountable. In 1876, the mansion was lost to foreclosure, and Eilley's fortune-telling gigs couldn't stave off poverty.

The Mansion's Second Act: From Decay to Delight

The mansion changed hands multiple times, falling into disrepair until Henry Riter purchased it in 1903. Riter revitalized the property, operating it as a resort and rekindling its status as a social hub. In 1946, the Reno Civic Club and Washoe County acquired the mansion, transforming it into a public park.

Today, Bowers Mansion stands as a testament to Nevada's storied past. Nestled in Washoe Valley, approximately 20 miles south of Reno, the mansion offers guided tours, allowing visitors to step back into the opulent 1860s.

The surrounding park boasts expansive lawns, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a seasonal swimming pool—perfect for a family outing or a leisurely stroll through history.

Eilley's Legacy: A Cautionary Tale with a Scenic View

Eilley Bowers' life was a rollercoaster of fortune and misfortune, opulence and destitution. From a Scottish farm girl with a prophetic peep stone to a silver baroness and, ultimately, a penniless clairvoyant, her story is a vivid chapter in Nevada's rich tapestry.

While her crystal ball predicted wealth and grandeur, it conveniently glossed over the subsequent hardships. Yet, Eilley's indomitable spirit and the architectural marvel she left behind continue to captivate visitors and history enthusiasts alike.

So, the next time you find yourself in Washoe Valley, pay a visit to Bowers Mansion. After all, where else can you picnic on the lawn of a once-millionaire's abode and ponder the capricious nature of fortune?