The land originally was purchased in 1856 by Eilley and her second husband Alex Cowan, who returned to Utah a year later with other Mormon settlers.

Some miners, unable to pay for lodging and laundry with cash, gave Eilley Orrum pieces of their mining claims in payment.

The mansion, designed by J. Neely Johnson, a builder and ex-governor of California, combined Georgian Revival and Italianate architectural styles.

Bowers Mansion Regional Park is located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains, approximately 20 miles south of Reno on old 395.

Expansive sunny lawn areas and lots of tall shade trees make this a perfect spot for picnics.