Guy Rocha, Nevada’s former state archivist and a relentless debunker of Western tales, died Thursday in Reno at the age of 73.
Rocha led the Nevada State Archives for nearly thirty years before retiring in 2009. During his tenure, he was dedicated to turning the archives into a go-to source for researchers, reports, and lawmakers alike.
“His fierce advocacy saved countless documents from destruction and emphasized the critical importance of preserving government records—not just for historians, but for everyday citizens seeking truth and resolution,” said Brian Allfrey of the Nevada Press Association. “His efforts proved essential in matters such as the north-south boundary issue, which eventually reached the Nevada Supreme Court and became Question 5 on the 1982 ballot.”
As a public historian, he hosted a weekly broadcast on Nevada history for 13 years, was consulted on documentaries about the silver state, and authored a “myth-busting” newspaper column that refuted tall-tale Nevada legends.
Over the years, he’s educated the community on everything from the origin of who “Jack” is from Jacks Valley, where Carson City’s Chinatown was located, busting the colloquially-called Brunswick Canyon’s true name, and much more.
“Week after week, he confronted misrepresentations of Nevada history with facts, evidence, and context,” Allfrey said. “His writing struck a balance between scholarly rigor and accessibility, helping generations of readers understand the nuances of the state’s complex past.”
Rocha has left his mark in history in a number of ways, but none so widespread as our celebration of Nevada Day.
Rocha’s contribution to Nevada Day Celebrations
Rocha led a history crusade at the Nevada Legislature to determine not when Nevada became a state, but when admission day should be celebrated.
While Nevada became a state on October 31, 1864, up until the turn of the millennium, there were still ongoing arguments as to when the parade itself should be held.
In 1999, arguments were getting heated at the legislature as legislators set to establish an official celebration date.
Opposition to the proposal of observing admission day on the last Friday of the month, with the parade occurring the next day, was referred to as “traditionalists.” They argued that the “tradition” of holding Nevada Day on October 31 should be preserved.
However, through Rocha’s persistent research work, he showed that the observance of Nevada Day had never been consistent, and keeping celebrations to the weekend would keep the parade—and what it celebrated—from falling into obscurity.
The bill was passed in February 1999, firmly establishing our three-day weekend of battle-born celebrations.
Last year, Rocha was entered into the Nevada Press Association’s Hall of Fame, forever cementing his contributions to Nevada journalism.
Rocha is survived by his daughter, Victoria Rocha, his son, Shane Rocha, and his half-brother, Jim Palumbo.
