Visit Virginia City For History And Culture Of The Late 1800s

By Betty Graham


A silver mine, 19th century Opera House, museums and the supposedly haunted Washoe Club are all part of places and points of interest representing the history of this area. When you visit Virginia City you can wander along the wooden sidewalks, stop at a historically accurate saloon or take a ride on a steam engine. You might want to schedule a tour through reportedly haunted premises. At one time this community was ranked as one of the more important industrial centers in the Western United States.

Comstock Lode

Virginia City is located about twenty miles southeast of Reno, Nevada. It and the neighboring community of Gold Hill are linked to mining activities in the Comstock Lode. Gold ore was the first to be found, and silver ore followed. The location of silver ore was the first significant discovery in the U. S. As the mining in the Comstock Lode grew, the activities in the California Gold Rush declined. The name of this ore-rich area comes from Henry Tompkins Paige Comstock, also referred to as 'Old Pancake'. For several decades beginning in 1850, the mining claims resulted in earnings of more than half a billion dollars in silver and gold. The population grew to 25,000 one of the larger cities in the country and a top industrial hub.

Residence and Headquarters For Chollar Mine

The Victorian Italianate style residence was built between 1862 and 1864 for Billy Chollar, a part owner of Chollar-Potosi Mine, which tapped part of the Comstock Lode. The structure is a fine example of Italianate architecture. A special feature of this mansion is the 164sf arched vault that once stored millions of dollars in bullion.

Add Some Museum Visits To Your Trip

There are several museums which are part of historical displays in Virginia City. Most have a Western or a mining theme, but there is also the Fourth Ward School Museum, the Marshall Mint and the Comstock Firemen's Museum. Visitors may also enjoy the Mackay Mansion Museum. With nearly a dozen places such as these, a single day in the area is not long enough to see all there is to see.

Haunted Houses, Hotels and Other Structures

Virginia City has a reputation for several haunted structures, with specific ghosts named at the Gold Hill Hotel and Miner's Cabin, the Silver Queen Hotel, and The Washoe Club. The Silver Terrace Cemetery is a recognized spot for Halloween celebrations. There is a fine selection of gated headstones dated to the Victorian era here.

Music, Art And Culture

The revered Piper's Opera House is on a hill above C Street and is ranked as one of this country's most notable performance venues, as well as one of its most venerable vintage theaters. The opera house was constructed in 1885 and is still the home of events and performances,

Notable People Who Visited VC

During the height of its influence, the town was visited by many of the celebrities of the day. Some of the notables included President Ulysses S. Grant, Buffalo Bill, Al Jolson and Mark Twain over the years. A relatively recent resurgence in the draw of the town occurred with the airing of the long-running Western television series, Bonanza, set in the area.




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