The Old Spanish Trail is a historic trade route that connected Santa Fe, New Mexico with Los Angeles, California, and passed through what is now Carson City, Nevada. The trail was used for trade and commerce between the United States and Mexico from the early 1800s to the mid-1800s. The Old Spanish Trail passed through the Carson Valley, which is now part of Carson City, and was an important stop for travelers and traders on the route. Many of the early settlers in the area were traders and ranchers who used the trail to transport goods and livestock to markets in California and New Mexico.

The Spanish influence on  infastructure in Carson City is as heavy as the rest of the influence around the surrounding area including the food, culture, and many more. One of the most notable examples is the Carson City Mint, which was built in 1869 and served as a branch of the United States Mint until 1893. The building was designed by architect Alfred B. Mullett and features a distinctive Spanish Colonial Revival style, with red clay tile roofs, stucco walls, and wrought iron balconies.