Visit Virginia City For A Range Of Activities

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 'day-trip distance' from Reno. The Comstock Lode is the principle for the establishment of the town originally. The Comstock was the location of the fist major silver mines in the United States. The California Gold Rush died out as more miners went to Nevada to take out more than $500 million in gold and silver from the veins under Mt. Davidson's Eastern Slope. Miner Henry Tompkins Paige Comstock was known as 'Old Pancake' and was a major figure in the area, although his wealth did not last. At its peak in the 1870s, the population of the two cities, Virginia City and Gold Hill reached 25,000.

Chollar Mine Holdings

The Chollar Mine owner, Billy Chollar build an Italianate style residence and headquarters for the company. The mansion is architecturally interesting and one unique feature of the building is the arched vault of 164-square foot size where millions of dollars worth of gold and silver bullion was stored.

Museums

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

Although haunted houses are not everyone's cup of tea, Virginia City claims several locations where there have been reports of ghostly steps, sounds and other manifestations. If you have an interest in such events, you can choose to spend the night in some of the more common ghostly habitations. Reports of such sightings come at the Silver Queen Hotel, The Silver Terrace Cemetery, The Washoe Club and The Gold Hill Hotel and Miner's Cabin.

Influence of Art and Culture

Built in 1885, the Historic Piper's Opera House represented the venue for cultural events and musical performances for more than 150 years. It is still in operation today and is known for its historic significance, for the people who visited there and for its architecture.

People of Interest

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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