Guy Rocha, a historian who made his own mark on Nevada history with his dedication to “facts over folklore,” has died. He was 73.

Rocha served as Nevada’s state archivist for 28 years until his retirement in February 2009. He built a reputation with his encyclopedic knowledge about the state’s history combined with a dogged dedication to truth-telling and accuracy.

Rocha’s knowledge and focus on the facts made him a favorite source for many reporters, earning the historian a spot in the Nevada Press Association’s Hall of Fame in 2024.

“Rocha’s legacy is defined by his unwavering commitment to historical accuracy and public education, as well as his influential role in shaping how Nevadans understand their own past,” the Nevada Press Association said prior to his induction.

“His insis

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