CARSON CITY, the state capital of Nevada, was named after the wild West explorer Kit Carson. The city was founded in 1858, a mere year before the discovery of the Comstock Lode mines. Still in evidence are a few of the old-fashioned casinos in its downtown area. Across the street from the State Capitol is the excellent Nevada State Museum which is housed in the former Carson Mint, where coins were made from the Comstock silver. The museum displays a full-scale replica of a working mine with wonderful historical data. Across town, the Nevada State Railroad Museum houses 60 original steam engines and freight cars from the old Virginia & Truckee Railroad.