Virginia City, a place
with history
by Stacy
McCarthy, Outpost
staff
Virginia City is a special place that contains many remnants of the history of the West. The ambiance of Virginia City revolves around its restoration of its original appearance. Virginia City began in the late 1850's and is considered the first industrial city in the West. According to Virginia City history, the first gold was found at the beginning of the six-mile canyon in 1859 by two miners named Pat McLaughlin and Peter O'Reily. A miner named Henry Comstock claimed they found this lode of gold on his property and was promised a place and name in history. James Finley, nicknamed "Old Virginny" is known to have named the town during a drunken celebration, according to Virginia City history.
Photo by
Stacy
McCarthy The territory
gold mine in Virginia City.
In 1864, Nevada was made a state, under President
Abe Lincoln . He needed the votes from Nevada to aid in his
reelection. Virginia City became the most beneficial
settlement in the west. Those who lived in the Virginia City
area became instant millionaires and built the Virginia and
Truckee railroad. The funds made from mining on the Comstock
helped build up the city of San Francisco.
At the height of Virginia City's reign, 30,000 residents lived in the town. There was always some form of entertainment going on. Celebrities visited, Shakespeare plays ran, a red-light district thrived. Today, many monuments of the old West still stand and many tourists visit this area regularly.
Interesting Facts
- Mark Twain lived in Virginia City for several years. He worked as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise, Nevada's first newspaper.
- The International of Virginia City contained the first elevator in the West. It was called the "rising moon".
- Virginia City created the first Miner's Union in the US
A tourists haven
Virginia City is a tourist town, with many things to see and do. The history behind it is amazing and the essence this quaint little city emanates is unreal. If you walk down C Street, you will encounter The Way It Was Museum, the Wild West Museum, antique stores, an old ice cream parlor, novelty stores, a train store, the Delta Saloon, and my personal favorite, the Bucket of Blood Saloon. I've visited Virginia city many times, but I appreciated much more when I took my fianceeís parents there. They are from the southeast and never experienced western pioneer history.
"I never imagined the authenticity of this place," Larry Godair, a tourist said. " I got to pan for gold, as if I lived during the Gold Rush."
Godair said his favorite place was the hat store.
" I tried on hats that Iíve only seen in pictures and movies," Godair said. "I've had a great time and thereís no place like it."
His wife Franny Godair was thrilled with the Bucket of Blood Saloon.
"I could not believe the tales behind the suicide table." Franny said. "To imagine that people use to kill themselves after they lost is unimaginable."
Photo by
Stacy
McCarthy
The Godairs said they had a great time and would
definitely be back again.
Located fifty minutes from Lake Tahoe and thirty-five minutes from Reno, Virginia City is the perfect tourist and vacation getaway. Special events include International Camel and Ostrich Races in September, Thunder on the Mountain car races, the Civil War Encampment in August, and the Fourth of July fireworks display.
Virginia City is full of history and culture. The city has been renovated to look like its original appearance and offers a variety of novelty stores, museums, and saloons. This area was rich in gold and silver and continues to attract tourists from all over the world.
Posted
April 21, 2000
Copyright 2000
Nevada Outpost
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