What's in store
by Juliette Marsden, Outpost Staff
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Virginia City |
Marshall, a relatively new face to the town (compared with many of its residents), is not one to quietly blend in with the rest. He hopes to transform the town from a quiet western theme town into the tourist mecca of the West.
Marshall moved to Virginia City in 1982 and has since bought a great deal of property in and surrounding the town. He even owns the original rights to the property that makes up the city.
To begin with, he has immediate plans to construct a replica of the once famous International Hotel, which stood on the town's Main Street until it burned down in 1914. The hotel was well known not only for its beautiful Victorian-style architecture, but also for its lavish dining room, which served fresh oysters.
The International Hotel is just one phase of his Silverland U.S.A. project, which is expected to be in operation by the year 2000.
"They need (a hotel) desperately up here," Marshall said. "We have 1.6 million tourists and it's kind of a people-unfriendly place."
Building the International Hotel is only the beginning of Marshall's plans. Marshall also hopes to construct a gigantic theme park, excavate two new mining shafts and even create an underground roller coaster. He also has plans to construct a replica of King Solomon's Temple.
"We plan on hacking up the whole town," Marshall said. "It needs it desperately."
 Photo by Juliette Marsden |
His motives? He says he has both charitable and commercial ones. The charitable motives involve bringing the city back to life as a tribute to those who founded the town. By bringing life back to a town that has been sleeping for many years, Marshall said he is giving a gift to the pioneer founders of Virginia City.
The commercial aspect of Marshall's ventures could certainly pan out for Marshall if the tourism industry takes off even more.
Marshall also hopes that by opening another silver mine, he can tap into the vast store of minerals he believes are waiting to be mined in Virginia City. He has already built a 3800-foot-long tunnel where he plans to eventually begin mining. He also has plans for a tourist mine.
"The town is in very bad shape," Marshall said. "This is an impoverished, rural area in Storey County which [has an econmy that] usually runs not quite [well] enough to pay the bills each year."
Town residents who have heard of Marshall's plans are, for the most part, in support of ventures which will boost Virginia City's economy.
But as yet, nothing concrete has begun. It is still just talk and research. McBride said he isn't holding his breath.
Still, Marshall does own huge amounts of property in and near Virginia City. Financially, he has the backing for completing the project. It could just be a matter of time before the face of Virginia City once again changes.
Virginia City stands at a fork in the road. Will the town remain an overly-commercialized western town with tributes to its founding fathers? Or will its residents pack up their bags and move away?
One thing is for sure. A town which has survived this long doesn't die easily. And there are plenty of people around to make sure it doesn't go down without a fight.
copyright 4/24/98 Nevada Outpost http://www.jour.unr.edu/outp
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