The route dates to the mid-19th century, as part of a wagon trail linking Lake Tahoe and Carson City that was later incorporated into the Lincoln Highway.

[1][2] Kings Canyon Road has a history dating before white settlers came to the Eagle Valley, where Carson City now resides.

It was originally a Washo Indian trail that crossed over the mountains separating the valley from Lake Tahoe.

Nevada's territorial government, realizing the need to improve access to and from the west, authorized Alfred Helm and Butler Ives to begin construction of a road through Kings Canyon in 1862.

[4] The original Kings Canyon toll road is about 12 miles (19 km) long and is still open to travel.

[7] A proposal to transfer ownership of SR 512 from the Nevada Department of Transportation to Carson City had surfaced by 2007.