Virginia City, Nevada

"Virginia City" redirects here. For a list of cities in the state of Virginia, see List of cities and counties in Virginia. For other uses, see Virginia City (disambiguation).

Census-designated place in Nevada, United States

Virginia City, Nevada

Census-designated place

View of Virginia City, July 2016

Nickname:

The Richest Place on Earth[1]

Motto:

"Step Back in Time"[2]

Virginia City

Location within the State of Nevada

Coordinates: 39°18′27″N 119°38′54″W﻿ / ﻿39.30750°N 119.64833°W﻿ / 39.30750; -119.64833
Country| United States
State| Nevada
County| Storey
Area

[3]

• Total

| 0.87 sq mi (2.24 km2)
• Land| 0.87 sq mi (2.24 km2)
• Water| 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation

[4]

| 6,106 ft (1,861 m)
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 787
• Density| 907.73/sq mi (350.60/km2)
Time zone| UTC−8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)| UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Code|

89440

FIPS code| 32-80000
GNIS feature ID| 2629981[4]

Virginia City is a census-designated place (CDP) that is the county seat of Storey County, Nevada, and the largest community in the county.[5] The city is a part of the Reno–Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area.[6]

Virginia City developed as a boomtown with the 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode, the first major silver deposit discovery in the United States, with numerous mines opening. The population peaked in the mid-1870s, with an estimated 25,000 residents. The mines' output declined after 1878, and the population declined as a result. As of the 2020 Census, the population of Virginia City was 787.[7]

## History

[edit]

View of Virginia City, Nevada, from a nearby hillside, 1867–68 Artist depiction of Virginia City, c. 1875 Aerial view of Virginia City in 1925

Main article: Comstock Lode

Peter O'Riley and Patrick McLaughlin are credited with the discovery of the Comstock Lode.[8][9] Henry T. P. Comstock's name was associated with the discovery through his own machinations. According to folklore, James Fennimore, nicknamed Old Virginny Finney, christened the town when he tripped and broke a bottle of whiskey at a saloon entrance in the northern section of Gold Hill, soon to become Virginia City.[10]

In another story, the Ophir Diggings were named in honor of Finney as he was "one of the first discoverers of that mining locality, and one of the most successful prospectors in that region". Finney "was the best judge of placer ground in Gold Canyon", locating the quartz footwall of the Ophir on 22 February 1858, the placers on Little Gold Hill on 28 January 1859, and the placers below Ophir in 1857.[11]

After the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859, the town developed seemingly overnight on the eastern slopes of Mount Davidson, perched at a 6200-foot elevation. Below the town were dug intricate tunnels and shafts for silver mining. The Comstock Lode discovery and subsequent growth of Virginia City was unequaled by the history of other precious metal discoveries.

Virginia City's silver ore discoveries were not part of the California Gold Rush, which occurred 10 years before. At the time of the discovery of the Comstock Lode, silver was considered the monetary equal of gold, and all production was purchased by the federal government for use in coinage. In 1873, silver was demonetized by the government, in large part due to the flood of silver into international markets from the silver mines of Virginia City.

Timbering the Mines of the Comstock, sketch by Dan DeQuille, 1877.

Technical problems plagued the early mining efforts, requiring the development of new mining technology to support the challenge. German engineer Philip Deidesheimer created a timbering system for mining tunnels called square sets, which enabled the retrieval of huge amounts of silver ore in a safe manner.[12] Square set timbering, roots blowers, stamp mills, the Washoe Pan milling process, Cornish pumps, Burleigh machine drills, wire woven rope, miners' safety cages and the safety clutch for those cages; even the Sutro tunnel all had a place in supporting the exploitation of the rich ore body. As technological advancements, these were used many times over in later mining applications. In 1876 one observer reported that in Virginia City, "every activity has to do with the mining, transportation, or reduction of silver ore, or the melting and assaying of silver bullion."[13]

By 1876, Nevada produced over half of all the precious metals in the United States.[13] The Comstock produced silver and gold ore valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. The wealth supported the Northern cause during the American Civil War and flooded the world monetary markets, resulting in economic changes.

Many tons of rich gold and silver ore, such as the example shown here, built and supported Virginia City

Like many cities and towns in Nevada, Virginia City was a mining boomtown; it developed virtually overnight as a result of miners rushing to the Comstock Lode silver strike of 1859. But, Virginia City far surpassed all others for its peak of population, technological advancements developed there, and for providing the population base upon which Nevada qualified for statehood. The riches of the Comstock Lode inspired men to hunt for silver mines throughout Nevada and other parts of the American West.

Virginia City population increased from 4,000 in 1862 to over 15,000 in 1863. It fluctuated depending on mining output. US Census figures do not reflect all of these frequent changes. Nonetheless, Virginia City overnight became one of the largest cities in the American Southwest. For the 1880 United States census, Virginia City was even larger than some of today's largest cities of the entire US, such as Phoenix, San Diego, Jacksonville, and even Dallas. The city included gas and sewer lines, the one hundred room International Hotel with elevator, three theatres, the Maguire Opera House, four churches, and three daily newspapers. Many of the homes and buildings were made of brick.[14]

With this center of wealth, many important local politicians and businessmen came from the mining camp. At its peak after the Big Bonanza of 1873 Virginia City had a population of over 25,000 residents and was called the richest city in the United States. Dominated by San Francisco moneyed interests, Virginia City was heralded as the sophisticated interior partner of San Francisco. "San Francisco on the coast and Virginia City inland" became the mantra of west coast Victorian entrepreneurs.[15] Early Virginia City settlers were in large part the backwash from San Francisco and the California Gold Rush, ten years before. Mine owners who made a killing in the Comstock mines spent most of their wealth in San Francisco.[citation needed]

A San Francisco stock market existed for the exploitation of Comstock mining. The Bank of California financed building the financial district of San Francisco with money from the Comstock mines. The influence of the Comstock lode rejuvenated what was the ragged little town of 1860 San Francisco. "Nearly all the profits of the Comstock were invested in San Francisco real estate and in the erection of fine buildings."[16] Thus, Virginia City built San Francisco. The Comstock's success, measured in values of the time period, totaled "about $400 million".[17][18] Mining and its attraction of population was the economic factor that caused the separation of Nevada territory from Utah, and later justified and supported Nevada statehood.[citation needed]

Virginia City in the early 1870s and in 2007. The church at left is St. Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church. It was rebuilt in 1875 after a great fire burned down 90% of Virginia City. Historic photo is of the pre-fire church.

The mining industry dominated Virginia City, making it an industrial center similar to those of the east coast. But the city retained some of its frontier flavor. The social history of the town has emphasized the high number of immigrants among its residents. Miners largely from Cornwall, England, where tin mines had been developed based on hard rock technology, flooded the Comstock. The new English immigrants were one of the largest ethnic groups. Many of the miners who came to the city were Cornish or Irish.[19] In 1870, Asians were 7.6% of the population, primarily Chinese workers who settled in many western towns after they had completed construction of the transcontinental railroad.[20] The Chinese filled niche markets, such as laundry workers and cooks.

Through time, the numerous independent Comstock mines became consolidated under ownership of large monopolies. A group called the Bank Crowd, dominated by William Sharon in Virginia City and William Ralston in San Francisco, financed the mines and mills of the Comstock until they had a virtual monopoly. By manipulating stock through rumors and false reports of mining wealth, some men made fortunes from the stocks of Virginia City's mines. When it appeared the Comstock Lode was finished, the city's population declined sharply, with ten thousand leaving in 1864 and 1865.[citation needed]

By the late 1860s, a group of Irish investors threatened the Bank Crowd's control. John Mackay and partner James Fair began as common miners, working their way up to management positions in the mines. By purchasing stock in the mines, they realized financial independence. Their partners James Clair Flood and William S. O'Brien stayed in San Francisco and speculated in stock. The Irish Big Four (or Bonanza Kings), as the men were called, eventually controlled the Consolidated Virginia mine where the Big Bonanza was discovered in 1873. The next few years were some of the most profitable on the Comstock, as the Bank Crowd lost control to the Irish Big Four. Population reached 25,000 in 1875.[21]

Mining operations were hindered by the extreme temperatures in the mines caused by natural hot springs. In winter the miners would snowshoe to the mines and then have to descend to work in high temperatures. These harsh conditions contributed to a low life expectancy, and earned miners the nickname of Hot Water Plugs. Adolph Sutro built the Sutro Tunnel to drain the hot spring waters to the valley below. But, by the time it was completed in 1879, the mines had substantially passed the intersection level, as their tunnels had been dug ever deeper.[22] In 1879, the mines began to play out and the population fell to just under 11,000.[23]

### Great Fire of 1875

[edit]

Between 1859 and 1875, Virginia City had numerous serious fires. The October 26, 1875, fire, dubbed the Great Fire, caused $12 million in damage.[24] "The spectacle beggars description; the world was on fire...a square mile of roaring flames." When a church caught fire, Mackay was heard to say, "Damn the church! We can build another if we can keep the fire from going down these shafts." Though the Con. Virginia and Ophir hoisting works burned, the fire did not penetrate the Con. Virginia shaft and only reached 400 feet into the Ophir shaft. "Railroad car wheels were melted", "brick buildings went down like paper boxes", and two thousand were left homeless.[25]

In ensuing months the city was rebuilt. A majority of the area now designated as the National Historic Landmark historic district dates to this later time period. However, the bonanza period was at an end by 1880.[26]

### Virginia City and Mark Twain

[edit]

Further information: Mark Twain in Nevada

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1860| 2,345| | —
1870| 7,048| | 200.6%
1880| 10,917| | 54.9%
1890| 8,511| | −22.0%
1900| 2,695| | −68.3%
1910| 2,244| | −16.7%
1920| 1,200| | −46.5%
1930| 590| | −50.8%
1940| 500| | −15.3%
1950| 500| | 0.0%
1960| 610| | 22.0%
1970| 600| | −1.6%
1980| 600| | 0.0%
1990| 920| | 53.3%
2000| 771| | −16.2%
2010| 855| | 10.9%
2020| 787| | −8.0%
source:[27][28]
View of Virginia City from Boot Hill

The writer and humorist Samuel Clemens, then a reporter on the local Territorial Enterprise newspaper first used the pen name Mark Twain in Virginia City in February 1863[29][30] Clemens lived in Virginia City and wrote for the Enterprise from fall 1862 until May 1864. His departure was to avoid a duel with a local newspaper editor upset over Clemens' reporting. Clemens returned to the Comstock region twice on lecture tours, first in 1866 when he was mugged on the Divide.[31] The muggers relieved Clemens of his watch and his money. The robbery turns out to have been a practical joke played on Clemens by his friends. He did not appreciate the joke, but he did retrieve his belongings—particularly his gold watch (worth $300), which had great sentimental value.[32] Clemens' book Roughing It (1872) includes this and other anecdotes about the city. Clemens' second return occurred in 1868 at the time of the hanging of John Millian, who was convicted of murdering the well-liked madam Julia Bulette.[citation needed]

## Climate

[edit]

Virginia City has a hot-summer mediterranean climate (Csa) with warm to hot summers and cooler and rainier winters.

Climate data for Virginia City, Nevada, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1887–present

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 69
(21)  | 70
(21)  | 74
(23)  | 79
(26)  | 89
(32)  | 95
(35)  | 99
(37)  | 100
(38)  | 93
(34)  | 85
(29)  | 75
(24)  | 69
(21)  | 100
(38)
Mean maximum °F (°C)  | 55.3
(12.9)  | 57.1
(13.9)  | 64.6
(18.1)  | 71.8
(22.1)  | 80.0
(26.7)  | 87.3
(30.7)  | 93.3
(34.1)  | 91.0
(32.8)  | 86.2
(30.1)  | 77.6
(25.3)  | 64.6
(18.1)  | 56.0
(13.3)  | 93.8
(34.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 40.9
(4.9)  | 43.1
(6.2)  | 49.0
(9.4)  | 54.6
(12.6)  | 63.9
(17.7)  | 74.3
(23.5)  | 83.8
(28.8)  | 82.4
(28.0)  | 73.9
(23.3)  | 61.3
(16.3)  | 48.8
(9.3)  | 40.3
(4.6)  | 59.7
(15.4)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 33.9
(1.1)  | 35.9
(2.2)  | 40.9
(4.9)  | 45.2
(7.3)  | 53.9
(12.2)  | 63.5
(17.5)  | 72.6
(22.6)  | 71.2
(21.8)  | 63.5
(17.5)  | 51.9
(11.1)  | 40.8
(4.9)  | 33.4
(0.8)  | 50.6
(10.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 27.0
(−2.8)  | 28.6
(−1.9)  | 32.9
(0.5)  | 35.7
(2.1)  | 44.0
(6.7)  | 52.8
(11.6)  | 61.5
(16.4)  | 60.1
(15.6)  | 53.1
(11.7)  | 42.5
(5.8)  | 32.7
(0.4)  | 26.4
(−3.1)  | 41.4
(5.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C)  | 12.3
(−10.9)  | 15.0
(−9.4)  | 18.9
(−7.3)  | 22.6
(−5.2)  | 29.7
(−1.3)  | 35.8
(2.1)  | 50.5
(10.3)  | 49.1
(9.5)  | 37.8
(3.2)  | 26.3
(−3.2)  | 17.4
(−8.1)  | 11.8
(−11.2)  | 8.1
(−13.3)
Record low °F (°C)  | −1
(−18)  | −9
(−23)  | 4
(−16)  | 10
(−12)  | 15
(−9)  | 28
(−2)  | 36
(2)  | 31
(−1)  | 21
(−6)  | 11
(−12)  | 6
(−14)  | −11
(−24)  | −11
(−24)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 1.82
(46)  | 2.06
(52)  | 1.60
(41)  | 0.54
(14)  | 0.74
(19)  | 0.55
(14)  | 0.19
(4.8)  | 0.24
(6.1)  | 0.29
(7.4)  | 0.65
(17)  | 1.07
(27)  | 1.95
(50)  | 11.70
(297)
Average snowfall inches (cm)  | 13.0
(33)  | 8.7
(22)  | 9.3
(24)  | 2.3
(5.8)  | 0.7
(1.8)  | 0.2
(0.51)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.3
(0.76)  | 2.4
(6.1)  | 9.5
(24)  | 46.4
(117.97)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 5.7  | 5.5  | 4.4  | 2.5  | 3.2  | 2.0  | 1.0  | 1.1  | 1.3  | 2.0  | 3.4  | 4.7  | 36.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 4.0  | 3.9  | 2.7  | 1.1  | 0.4  | 0.1  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.1  | 0.1  | 1.5  | 3.9  | 17.8
Source 1: NOAA[33]
Source 2: National Weather Service[34]

## Economy

[edit]

Savage Mansion, the Savage Mining Company's office and mine superintendent's residence; NRHP property built in 1861[35]

In the 21st century, Virginia City's economy is based on tourism. Many residents own and work at the shops in town that cater to tourists, while others seek jobs in the surrounding cities. Virginia City, a National Historic Landmark District, draws more than 2 million visitors per year. It has numerous historic properties that are separately listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The tourism supports an eclectic assortment of fine and casual dining experiences. Many lodging properties offer options to tourists wanting to stay overnight. Several bed and breakfast facilities are based in restored historic homes including: the B Street House Bed and Breakfast, previously the Henry Piper House, which is listed on the National Register; Edith Palmer's Country Inn and Core Restaurant in the restored 1860s Cider factory; and the 1876 Cobb Mansion.

## Arts and culture

[edit]

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Virginia City is home to many interpretive museums and sites, including the Silver Terrace Cemetery, the Fourth Ward School Museum, the Pioneer Cemetery, the Fireman's Museum, the Way It Was Museum, Piper's Opera House, the Police Officer's Museum, St. Mary's Art Center, and numerous exhibits in businesses throughout town. Virginia City also hosts many unique and authentic event celebrations including cook-offs, parades, and Civil War re-enactments.

### Virginia City Hillclimb

[edit]

There is an annual hillclimb that runs from Silver City to Virginia City via Highway 341 (a truck route) that is put on jointly between the Ferrari Club of America Pacific Region and the Northern California Shelby Club. As of 2013, the event is officially open to performance vehicles of all makes.[36] The event was put on first by Road & Track and the Aston Martin Club, the following year the SCCA took the same route, and later it was picked up by the Ferrari Owners Club.[37] Highway 342 is now the return route for cars that have completed their runs up Highway 341. The hillclimb covers 5.2 miles (8.4 km), climbing 1,260 feet (380 m) and passing through 21 corners.

### Museums and other points of interest

[edit]

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Main article: Virginia City Historic District (Virginia City, Nevada)

Virginia City retains an authentic historic character with board sidewalks, and numerous restored buildings dating to the 1860s and 1870s. Virginia City is home to many charming and informative museums. The Fourth Ward School Museum brings Comstock history to life in interactive displays, and a restored 1876 classroom. The four-story wooden school is the last one of this type left in the United States.

St. Mary's and St. Paul's churches

Points of interest include the Comstock Historic Walking Trail, where hikers can view the Pioneer Cemetery, site of Julia Bulette's grave, the Combination Mine Shaft, and Sugarloaf Mountain. Other attractions include the Silver State Police Officers' Museum in the Storey County Courthouse, complete with jail cells from the 1870s; The Way It Was museum on Sutton and C Streets, the Fireman's Museum with authentic Victorian firefighting equipment on display, the Chollar Mine tour, Ponderosa Mine Tour, Silver Terrace Cemetery, Presbyterian Church dating to 1862, St. Mary's of the Mountain Catholic Church (c. 1876), St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and St. Mary's Art Center, offering lessons and retreats. Trolley tours, walking tours, Storey County Courthouse, Miner's Union Hall, Knights of Pythias Building, numerous historic shops and homes, the Old Washoe Club, and Miner's Park are other attractions.

Among the attractions on C Street are the Bucket of Blood Saloon, the Delta Saloon with the Old Globe, the Bonanza Saloon with the Suicide Table, the Silver Queen, and the Red Dog Saloon, originally the 1875 Comstock House, located at 76 North C Street. The Red Dog Saloon gave many San Francisco rock musicians their start during the summer of 1965. Piper's Opera House occupies the corner of B and Union Streets and is open as a museum when not a host to shows and musical venues of many types. Piper's Corner Saloon was one of the longest continuously operating saloons of the nineteenth century.

Union Brewery, 28 North C Street

The historic 1864 Union Brewery and saloon on 28 North C Street, frequented by Mark Twain, has been restored and reopened.[38][39]

Also in Virginia City is the Silver Queen Hotel and Wedding Chapel,[40] which is famous for its picture of a woman whose dress is made entirely of silver dollars. The hotel was built in 1876 and includes a saloon.

Virginia City was declared a National Historic Landmark district in 1961, and has been carefully preserved to retain its historic character.[24][41][42]

## Education

[edit]

Virginia City has one elementary school (Hugh Gallagher Elementary School), one middle school (Virginia City Middle School), and one high school (Virginia City High School).[citation needed]

## Infrastructure

[edit]

### Railway

[edit]

Main street view, October 2009

The Virginia and Truckee Railroad's northern terminus is located at Virginia City. A project was started in 1972 to begin rebuilding one of the nation's "crookedest railroads". The portion of line that has been rebuilt so far stretches south to Carson City and through Gold Hill. The project ran the first steam engine from Carson City on September 5, 2009, and continues to provide tourist excursions between Carson City and Virginia City on weekends. Other trains are pulled by historic locomotives on weekdays between Virginia City and Gold Hill on 35-minute round trips.

## Notable people

[edit]

Newspaper advertising for Marie (Mary) Suize's shop, 7 South B St.

* Fred B. Balzar, 15th Governor of Nevada from 1927 to 1934; born in Virginia City
* Lucius Beebe, author an railroad historian[43]
* Julia Bulette, English-born prostitute
* Charles Clegg, author, photographer, and railroad historian
* Dan DeQuille, author, journalist, and humorist[44]
* James Graham Fair, mine owner, partner to John Mackay
* George Hearst, an early Superintendent of the Gould and Curry in 1860.
* Harold A. Henry, Los Angeles City Council president; born in Virginia City
* John Brayshaw Kaye, poet and politician; worked in the town in the 19th century
* Richard Kirman Sr., 17th Governor of Nevada from 1935 to 1939; born in Virginia City[45]
* Ezra F. Kysor, architect in Virginia City from 1865 to 1868
* John William Mackay, richest mining millionaire from the Comstock Lode[46]
* Albert A. Michelson, the first American to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics (1907); grew up in Virginia City
* Ferdinand Schulze, Prussian immigrant who became a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
* W. H. C. Stephenson, early African American figure; advocated black suffrage[47]
* W. Frank Stewart, silver mine operator and Nevada state senator from 1876 to 1880
* Marie Suize, Frenchwoman who operated a shop selling wines and liquors;[48]
* Adolph Sutro, industrialist, San Francisco mayor
* "Professor" Jerry Thomas, legendary bartender[49]
* Mark Twain, worked for the local newspaper; his novel Roughing It is set in and around Virginia City

## In popular culture

[edit]

* Author Louis L'Amour's novel Comstock Lode is set in Virginia City during the silver rush.[50]
* The city during its mining boom was the setting for most of the 1946 James M. Cain novel Past All Dishonor.[51]
* Virginia City und die wahre Geschichte des Wilden Westens ("Virginia City and the True History of the Wild West"), is a 2007 German documentary film.[52]
* "Darcy Farrow", a folk song written by Steve Gillette and Tom Campbell, mentions Virginia City.[53]
* A significant portion of Julie Smith's 1987 novel Huckleberry Fiend, concerning the discovery of a lost section of the manuscript for Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, takes place in Virginia City.[54]
* A filming location for the 1973 cult film Godmonster of Indian Flats.[55]

## References

[edit]

* Nevada portal

1. ^ O'Halloran, Brian (2018-10-29). "The Richest Place on Earth: Moycullen People in the Virginia City Silver Rush, the Comstock Lode". Moycullen Heritage. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
2. ^ "Virginia City Nevada". Virginia City Nevada. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
3. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
4. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Virginia City, Nevada
5. ^ "Storey County, Nevada – County Facts". storeycounty.org. Storey County Government. Archived from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
6. ^ "Profile for Virginia City, Nevada, NV". ePodunk. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
7. ^ "Virginia City/Population (2020)". google.com. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
8. ^ "DUSTBIN OF HISTORY: THE FASCINATING SAGA OF THE COMSTOCK LODE". Today I Found Out. United States. 2016-04-21. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
9. ^ "A Brief History of the Comstock Lode". Awesome Inc. United States: Blogger. March 6, 2009. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
10. ^ Smith 1943, pp. 7–14.
11. ^ Smith 1943, pp. 13–16.
12. ^ Smith 1943, pp. 23–24.
13. ^ a b Powell 2012, p. 239.
14. ^ Smith 1943, pp. 28–29.
15. ^ Collins2010, p. 23.
16. ^ Smith 1943, p. 289.
17. ^ Thomson 2000, p. 26.
18. ^ Smith 1943, p. 295.
19. ^ Payton, Philip (2007). Making Moonta: The Invention of Australia's Little Cornwall. Exeter: University of Exeter Press. ISBN 978-0859897952.
20. ^ Gibson, Campbell; Jung, Kay. "Historical Census Statistics On Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For Large Cities And Other Urban Places In The United States". United States Census Bureau. Suitland, Maryland: Economics and Statistics Administration. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
21. ^ Smith 1943, pp. 14–15, 49–51, 60, 183.
22. ^ Smith 1943, pp. 107–115.
23. ^ Rinella 2007, p. 73.
24. ^ a b Snell & Larew 1978, pp. 2, 8, 9.
25. ^ Smith 1943, pp. 192–193.
26. ^ Smith 1943, p. 231.
27. ^ Moffatt 1996, p. 159.
28. ^ USCensus 1910, p. 79.
29. ^ Thomson 2000, p. 35.
30. ^ Rinella 2007, p. 78.
31. ^ Gaw 1998, pp. 9–12.
32. ^ Powers 2006, p. 167.
33. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
34. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
35. ^ Savage Mining Company Office. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
36. ^ Virginia City Hill Climb, official website
37. ^ "History of the Hillclimb". Virginia City Hillclimb. Virginia City, Nevada. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
38. ^ Ned Halley The Wordsworth Dictionary of Drink: An A–Z of Alcoholic Beverages 2005 1840223022 "Union Brewery restoration of 1864 brewery in Virginia City, Nevada, USA. Had the distinction of being the only brewery in the state."
39. ^ Warren Hinckle, Fredric Hobbs The richest place on earth: the story of Virginia City – 1978 "Presiding over the ritual was Gordon Lane, proprietor of the Union Brewery Saloon. With ash blond hair ... "
40. ^ "Silver Queen Hotel and Wedding Chapel". Silver Queen Hotel. Virginia City, Nevada. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
41. ^ "Virginia City Historic District" (PDF). National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
42. ^ Accompanying 50 or so photos from 1968, 1971, 1978 and other dates (8.81 MB)
43. ^ "Piper-Beebe House". National Park Servicet. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
44. ^ Wright, William (August 30, 1877). "History of the big bonanza: an authentic account of the discovery, history, and working of the world renowned Comstock silver lode of Nevada, including the present condition of the various mines situated thereon; sketches of the most prominent men interested in them; incidents and adventures connected with mining, the Indians, and the country; amusing stories, experiences, anecdotes, & c., &c., and a full expostion of the production of pure silver". Hartford, Conn. : American publishing company; San Francisco, Cal., A.L. Bancroft & co. - via Internet Archive.
45. ^ "Nevada Governor Richard Kirman". National Governors Association. United States. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
46. ^ Smith 1943, p. 14.
47. ^ Elmer R. Rusco, "A Black Doctor on the Comstock, Greasewood Tablettes (Department of Pathology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 9:2 (Summer 1998), pp. 1-3. accessed March 10, 2016 http://faculty.washington.edu/qtaylor/Courses/313_AAW/313_manual_cp_04.htm
48. ^ New address 140 South C Street on Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming et ... 1884-85
49. ^ Wondrich, David (2007). Imbibe! : from absinthe cocktail to whiskey smash, a salute in stories and drinks to "Professor" Jerry Thomas, pioneer of the American bar (1st ed.). Perigee Book/Penguin Group. p. 29\. ISBN 978-0-399-53287-0.
50. ^ Comstock Lode: A Novel by Louis L'Amour. books.google.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
51. ^ Past All Dishonor by James M. Cain. books.google.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
52. ^ "Virginia City und die wahre Geschichte des Wilden Westens". Doku Me. Germany. Archived from the original on May 16, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
53. ^ Gillette, Steve; Campbell, Tom. "Darcy Farrow Lyrics". Compass Rose Music. Bennington, Vermont. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
54. ^ Reif, Rita (February 26, 1991). "Twain Manuscript Resolves Huck Finn Mysteries". The New York Times. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
55. ^ "GODMONSTER OF INDIAN FLATS | St Mary's Art CenterSt. Mary's Art Center is a place where creativity can be explored in an atmosphere of quiet beauty and isolation". St Mary's Art Center. Retrieved 2023-10-09.

## Sources

[edit]

* David F. Myrick, ed. (1958). Reproduction of Thompson and West's History of Nevada 1881, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Berkeley, California: Howell-North Books. ASIN B000EDOHLG.
* Elliott, Russell R.; Rowley, William D. (1987). History of Nevada (2nd ed.). Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0803267152.
* Gaw, Clifford M. (1998). "Eyewitness Account: What Happened on the Divide?". Mark Twain Journal. 36 (1): 9–12. JSTOR 41641442.
* Powers, Ron (2006). Mark Twain: A Life (Reprint ed.). New York City: Free Press. p. 167\. ISBN 978-0743249010.
* Hulse, James (1981). The Nevada Adventure, a History (5th ed.). Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0874170672.
* James, Ronald M. (2012). Virginia City: Secrets of a Western Past (Historical Archaeology of the American West) (Paperback ed.). Lincoln, Nebraska: Bison Books. ISBN 978-0803238480.
* Lord, Eliot (2011). Comstock Miners and Mining, 1st edition 1883 (Paperback ed.). Charleston, South Carolina: Nabu Press. ISBN 978-1175749024.
* Makley, Michael J. (2009). John Mackay: Silver King in the Gilded Age (Shepperson Series in Nevada History) (1st ed.). Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0874177701.
* Mathews, Mary McNair (1880). Ten years in Nevada. Washington, DC: The Library of Congress. ASIN B003TZK4H2. Archived at The Library of Congress
* Mathews, Mary McNair (1880). Ten years in Nevada (1st ed.). Houston: Buffalo, Baker, Jones & Co. ASIN B003SHZ43A. Archived at The Library of Congress
* Powell, John J. (2012). Nevada: The Land of Silver. Charleston, SC: Nabu Press. p. 239\. ISBN 978-1276532440.
* Rinella, Heidi Knapp (2007). Nevada Off the Beaten Path® (Off the Beaten Path Series) (6th ed.). Guilford, CN: Globe Pequot Press. pp. 73, 78. ISBN 978-0762742042.
* Collins, Charles (2010). Mercantile Directory in 1864 (Paperback ed.). Charleston, SC: Nabu Press. p. 23\. ISBN 978-1175622358.
* Snell, Charles; Larew, Marilynn (April 21, 1978). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Virginia City Historic District". National Park Service. pp. 2, 8, 9.
* Smith, Grant. H. (1943). The History of the Comstock Lode, 1850–1920. Reno, Nevada: University of Nevada Press. pp. 7–16, 23–24, 28–29, 49–51, 60, 107–115, 183, 192–193, 231, 289, 295. ASIN B0014AP8GG.
* Moffatt, Riley (1996). Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850–1990 (1st ed.). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 159\. ISBN 978-0810830332.
* Stewart, Robert; Stewart, Mary (1962). Adolph Sutro, A Biography (1st ed.). [Berkeley, California]: Howell-North Books. ASIN B0007E9EDS.
* Thomson, David (2000). In Nevada: The Land, The People, God, and Chance (Reprint ed.). New York City: Vintage Books. pp. 26, 35. ISBN 978-0679777588.
* De Quille, Dan (2013). Mark Diederichsen (ed.). History of the Big Bonanza: An Authentic Account of the Discovery, History, and Working of the World Renowned Comstock Silver Lode of Virginia City, Nevada (1st ed.). Los Angeles: Peruse Press. ISBN 978-0615922447.
* "Reports by states with statistics for counties, cities and other civil divisions: Nebraska - Wyoming, Alaska Hawaii and Porto Rico" (PDF). 1910 Census. United States census. p. 79. Retrieved October 15, 2023. 1890, 1900 and 1910 population.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Virginia City, Nevada.

Wikisource has the text of an 1879 American Cyclopædia article about Virginia City, Nevada.

* Virginia City Tourism Commission
* Three Historic Nevada Cities: Carson City, Reno, Virginia City, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
* City-data.com
* Piper-Beebe House Archived 2015-02-02 at the Wayback Machine
* "Virginia City" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 24 (9th ed.). 1888.
* "Virginia City" . New International Encyclopedia. 1905.
* "Virginia City" . Collier's New Encyclopedia. 1921.

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