Virginia City, Nevada

Virginia City is one of the oldest established communities in Nevada. Like many cities and towns in the state, Virginia City was a mining boomtown; in fact it is one of the most famous boomtowns in the Old West, as it virtually appeared overnight as a result of the Comstock Lode silver strike of 1859. 

During its peak, Virginia City had a population of over 10,000 residents and was called the richest city in America. During the 20 years following the Comstock success "about $400 million was taken out of the ground". 

When the Comstock Lode ended in 1898, the city's population declined sharply. 

Adolph Sutro built the Sutro Tunnel in support of the mining operations. Conceived in 1860, it wasn't completed until many years later, after much of the silver mining had already been completed. From its creation in 1859 to 1875, there were five widespread fires. The 1875 fire, dubbed the Great Fire of 1875, caused $12,000,000 in damages.

The Gothic style Catholic church has its own museum in the basement.

I love these rain gutters- Look out below!

We had a good lunch here. This place was recommended by a local

I love old brick

So named due to the nightly clean up resulting in mopping up a bucket of blood from the bar room floor.

These light fixtures were awesome in the Bucket of Blood

Found these excellent old coin ride horses outside the Bucket of Blood Saloon

These fixtures and fabulous tin ceiling can be found inside the Visitors center.

How many Pintos do you see?

Old Mine

There are several old mine heads like this all around the hills in town.

Beautiful old steamer

One of the very few depictions of an Un blind Justice. Note- No blindfold as is usually seen.

These doors are on the second story

The School house

The Spite houses of Virginia City

Yeah. .  Virginia City is pretty Cool!

Next up is Virginia City cemetery