Saturday, March 9, 2019

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

By Betty Graham


If you are looking for a location to spend a day or more with plenty of history, architecture, dining and other activities, including a steam-engine train ride, you should check out the points of interest. Visit Virginia City to see remnants of a silver mine, gold ore, mining tools, a historic Opera House built in the late 1800s and more. There are paranormal claims, historic saloons and more. Just visiting the museums will give you several days of things to see and enjoy. Though the town is a tourist center today, in its heyday it was an important rail center and industrial center.

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.

Residence and Headquarters For Chollar Mine

In 1862-1864, Billy Chollar of Chollar Potosi Mine commissioned the building of a Victorian Italianate-style residence which also served as the headquarters of Chollar Mining Company. Of interest, in addition to the architectural features, the structure includes a 164-square foot arched vault which held millions of dollars worth of gold and silver bullion.

Museums

Those who enjoy history both for its broad scope and for the details of day-to-day life will find several locations in and around the city. As might be expected, there is a lot of focus on mining, but visitors can also learn much about Western themes. Details of daily life are available in other museums. A visit to the Fourth Ward School Museum shows a schoolroom from that 1970 period. You can check out the Marshall Mint, the Firemen's Museum and can also tour the Mackay Mansion. All together, there are numerous places to capture your interest.

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.

Music, Art And Culture

A premier performance venue for 150 years is found at the Piper's Opera House. Since 1885, and continuing to the present, the venue is a significant vintage theater.

People of Interest

Because of its wealth, size and location significance, Virginia City was visited by many of the day's personalities. President Grant paid a visit there, as did Mark Twain, Al Jolson and Buffalo Bill. When the television series Bonanza was on the air, many people visited the city to view its ties to the show.




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