The Old West Lives On in Virginia City

Virginia City, part of the Comstock National Historic District, is a thriving example of how things were in the Old West, and particularly the influence of mining in spurring the migration of thousands to America's frontiers in the latter half of the 19th century. To underscore this significance, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has included Virginia City in its 2009 list of a dozen "Distinctive Destinations" in the United States. The others are Santa Barbara, CA, Athens, GA, Saugatuck-Douglas, MI, Santa Fe, NM, Buffalo, NY, Lititz, PA, Bristol, RI, Hot Springs, SD, Franklin, TN, Fort Worth, TX, and Lake Geneva, WI.

Virginia City is on a cold, windswept mountainside 23 miles from Reno. Gold fever is what led to the town's founding in 1859, but it wasn't gold alone that created the fabulous wealth dug out of Virginia City's mines. It was silver from the Comstock Lode that literally made Virginia City one of the wealthiest spots on Earth in its heyday. Those riches created numerous millionaires, helped fund the Union side during the Civil War, and sped Nevada's admission as our 36th state on October 31, 1864.

Today's visitors will find a bustling little town full of historic buildings and oozing the ambience of its glorious past. Take a stroll along the wooden sidewalks and you'll encounter the office of the Territorial Gazette where Mark Twain worked as a reporter. You can have a drink in one of the old saloons like the Delta and the Bucket of Blood. Culture remains alive at Piper's Opera House, which still has a number of performances each year. The Fourth Ward School museum is a must see for a fascinating look at life in old Virginia City. Mine tours let you go underground and see where the wealth originated. All in All, Virginia City is a worthy destination and highly recommended for both historic enlightenment and just plain fun. To get an idea of what you can see and do, check out my Virginia City photo gallery.

Sign up to receive the Reno / Tahoe Newsletter and stay on top of what's happening.