Virginia City Visitors Guide

V I S I T O R S G U I D E

2014 EDITION

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF

2 VIRGINIA CITY VISITORS GUIDE 2014

A special publication of the Sierra Nevada Media GroupPublisher – Mark Raymond Section Editor – John Seelmeyer

Advertising Sales – Brad Bancroft, Tonya ChampaArt Direction/Layout – Rob Fair

The Basics of Virginia City 4Virginia City Mobile App 4Major Annual Events 4Old West History 6Virginia City Map 8Visiting Historic Sites 10Visitor Tour Options 12Virginia City Parades 13Unique Shopping Style 14The Wine-Rut Cure 15

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ObverseReverse

VIRGINIA CITY VISITORS GUIDE 2014 3

A special publication of the Sierra Nevada Media GroupPublisher – Mark Raymond Section Editor – John Seelmeyer

Advertising Sales – Brad Bancroft, Tonya ChampaArt Direction/Layout – Rob Fair

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Basics of Virginia City 4Virginia City Mobile App 4Major Annual Events 4Old West History 6Virginia City Map 8Visiting Historic Sites 10Visitor Tour Options 12Virginia City Parades 13Unique Shopping Style 14The Wine-Rut Cure 15

THE LAST ONE STANDINGOF ITS KIND

IN THE UNITED STATES

VISIT THE HISTORIC FOURTH WARD SCHOOL MUSEUM AND GIFT SHOP

2 for 1 admission when you show us this ad.

May 1st - October 31st • Dail y 10am-5pm537 South “C ” Street P.O. Box 4 • V irginia City, NV 80440

www.four thwardschool.org • (775) 847-0975

Follow students’ footsteps through the original 1876 four-storied, school building built for 1000 students in the finest Victorian style.

Sit in the same wooden desks as they did from 1876 to 1936.

Explore the Cornstock story, Mark Twain’s life, letter press printing, alumni’s lives, early Nevada education, Cornstock mining, abandoned mine is-sues, modern mining, and new exhibits in the other classrooms.

Ask the museum store if you can pull on the rope to hear the 1876 school bell.

On your next visit take “ T ime Out for Tea” Authentic Afternoon High Tea

• Birthdays • Meetings • Special Occasions

72 Hour Reser vation Required

FREE ■ On-Site Coffee Roastery

■ Espresso and Specialty Coffee Drinks

■ Old Fashioned Soda Bar

■ Hot Waffles & Sandwiches

■ Gluten-Free Menu

■ Coffee Merchandise

■ Books about The Comstock

55 N. C StreetP.O. Box 46Virginia City, NV 89440

775-771-2606*Must present this ad. Valid only with a purchase of $50 or more. Limit one per person.

TheRoastingHouse.com

GE

T A GLASS SOUVENIR

BOTTLE*

THE BASICS ABOUT

Virginia City brings its rich Comstock heritage to life for visitors traveling with smartphone’s. The mobile app provides visitors with information on this historic town’s saloons and restaurants, its quirky special events, lodging, a historical audio tour and the ability to check-in on social networking sites. With tourism and special events being the primary focus, the Virginia City mobile app features include:

• Attractions• Adventure Pass ticket details• Special event ticket purchases• Audio tour of 32 historical attractions• Webcam of C Street• Area map and weather• Facebook check-in and access to Twitter, YouTube and Instagram

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MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS

March: Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry & St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Leprechaun Bar Crawl April: Virginia City Wine Tour Series May: Chili on the Comstock, Memorial Day Weekend Celebration of Heroes Parade June: Comstock Muckfest & Heritage Wine Tour, Street Vibrations Spring Rally July: Virginia City 4th of July Parade & Fireworks Spectacular, Rock the Comstock August: Hot August Nights VC Run September: Comstock Civil War Days & Labor Day Parade, Virginia City International Camel & Ostrich Races, Camel Hump on C Street, Victorian Steampunk Ball & Parade, Taste of the Comstock, Street Vibrations Fall Rally October: Virginia City World Championship Outhouse Races, Redrun II, Nevada 150 Masquerade Ball November: Virginia City Veteran’s Day Parade

December: Christmas on the Comstock & Parade of Lights, Wild West New Year’s Eve Party

Ongoing: May - October: Friday Free Museum Day the first Friday of the month and the Virginia City Wine Tour Series the first Saturday of the month


THE BASICS ABOUTLOCATION At 6,200 feet on Mount Davidson, historic Virginia City is 25 miles from Reno and 45 miles from Lake Tahoe. Like many cities in Nevada, Virginia City was a mining “boomtown” with more than $400 million in gold and silver mined. In today’s prices, that’s more than $20 billion.

COMSTOCK ADVENTURE PASS Available year round, just one admission price provides access to numerous attractions. Comstock Adventure Passes provide the opportunity to visit museums, mine tours, historic buildings, a thrilling stagecoach ride, the famous Virginia & Truckee train ride, and more at discounted prices. Visitors can choose from four Comstock Adventure Passes. Or they can build their own package and choose from 16 exciting attractions. Comstock Adventure Passes and discounted individual attraction tickets may be purchased at the Visitor Center, 86 South C St. It’s open from 9-5 Monday through Saturday and from 10-4 on Sunday. For more information, call 775-847-7500 or 800-718-7587.

LODGING Spend the night in modern lodging or one of several quaint bed and breakfast inns. Virginia City and Gold Hill, the area known as the Comstock, has more than 200 rooms. Clean and comfortable with a Victorian flavor, hotels offer modern and historic Comstock flair. Properties include Virginia City Motel, Tahoe House Hotel, Gold Hill Hotel, Silver Queen Hotel, Silverland Inn and Suites, Sugarloaf Mountain Motel & Market and Comstock Lodge. Bed and Breakfasts include: The “B” Street House Inn, originally built in 1875, underwent an award-winning restoration in 2007 and is now a three-bedroom guest inn. Edith Palmer’s Country Inn was established in a Victorian home built in 1863. Originally, the rock building to the rear of Edith Palmer’s was used as a cider factory. After the Great Fire of 1875 burned down most of Virginia City, Herman J. Harris bought the lots on where the Cobb Mansion is located, and built a home that now serves as the property.

SALOONS No other type of business dominates the landscape of this historic mining town like Virginia City’s saloons and restaurants. Many date back to the Comstock period including maintaining the 19th century look and antiques. 13 bars and 21 eateries are located primarily on C Street.

MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS

March: Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry & St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Leprechaun Bar Crawl April: Virginia City Wine Tour Series May: Chili on the Comstock, Memorial Day Weekend Celebration of Heroes Parade June: Comstock Muckfest & Heritage Wine Tour, Street Vibrations Spring Rally July: Virginia City 4th of July Parade & Fireworks Spectacular, Rock the Comstock August: Hot August Nights VC Run September: Comstock Civil War Days & Labor Day Parade, Virginia City International Camel & Ostrich Races, Camel Hump on C Street, Victorian Steampunk Ball & Parade, Taste of the Comstock, Street Vibrations Fall Rally October: Virginia City World Championship Outhouse Races, Redrun II, Nevada 150 Masquerade Ball November: Virginia City Veteran’s Day Parade

December: Christmas on the Comstock & Parade of Lights, Wild West New Year’s Eve Party

Ongoing: May - October: Friday Free Museum Day the first Friday of the month and the Virginia City Wine Tour Series the first Saturday of the month

thus connecting the reach of the Comstock to the world. In 1886, 200 millionaires lived in Virginia City. Many went on to powerful positions in West. Two of them were George Hearst and John Mackay, whose stories are told on the narrated tours along with their connection to the Virginia City landmark, the Mackay Mansion. In 1874, Hearst was superintendent of Virginia City’s Gould & Curry Mining Company and lived in its office building, which was later purchased by Silver King John Mackay. Hearst earned a fortune in mining in several western mines and later purchased the San Francisco Examiner. His son, William Randolph Hearst used that start to create a publishing empire and eventually to build Hearst Castle on the California coast. Mackay came to Virginia City to work in the mines. By 1864, he owned one. His silver helped lay the first transatlantic cable and establish the School of Mines at the University of Nevada, Reno, which is named after him. At its peak, Virginia City was the major town between Denver and San Francisco. It had 110 saloons, 35 hotels, 22 restaurants, 17 breweries and six churches. Another landmark, Piper’s Opera House, drew entertainers and luminaries such as President Grant, Buffalo Bill, and Al Jolson. San Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, found his writing voice working for Virginia City’s Territorial Enterprise, the first newspaper in Nevada. Clemens left town after a fight, but returned to speak at the Opera House. Through the decades from the late 1800s through early 1900s, Virginia City went through a series of booms and busts, construction and fires, which continually changed the face of the town. As gold and silver deposits became more difficult to mine, and the price of precious minerals dropped, Virginia City declined and its historic building began to crumble. Instead of fading into a ghost town, the popularity of the TV western “Bonanza” changed its fortune. Virginia City’s new boom became tourism, beginning with the search for the town where the Cartwrights did business. When visitors come to Virginia City looking for the flat streets and short distances portrayed by Hollywood, the can be dismayed by the differences, said Bellesi from Virginia City Tours. When Hoss and Little Joe get on their horses in the morning at the Bonanza Ranch at Lake Tahoe to go to Virginia City, in television version, they can get back home by dinner. In reality “the horses would have had to be jet propelled,” he said. Visitors may not find much of the Virginia City of Bonanza, but what they can find is much richer.

There’s a lot of history going on in Virginia City. You can spend a lifetime studying all its nuances. Or get a quick overview of the historic town via one of three tour groups. Virginia City Tours offers a 20-minute narrated tour of Virginia City, perfect for an easy-on-the budget, quick view of the interesting sites in Virginia City. The town’s only year-round tour company offers either a closed trolley or an open-air tram pulled by a tractor, depending on weather conditions. “I’m in awe of how much history I give (the tour passengers) in such a short time,” said Jack Bellesi, who’s been giving tours of Virginia City for six years. Among the perks: “I get to meet people from all over the world,” he said. Those interested in a more intimate tour of Virginia City can find it on the horse-drawn carriage tours offered by Happy Hoofers. The tours are perfect for smaller groups of family and friends. Happy Hoofers operates May through October and reservations are required with a choice of a 30-minute or one-hour tour. For a fast, heart-in-your-throat ride, the TNT Stagelines offers a high-speed ride in a full-sized Concord stagecoach — the type of ride Old West travelers might receive while being chased by bandits. The tour makes up in excitement what it lacks in history narration.

TNT operates spring through fall. Rides fill up fast, so early booking is recommended. While guided tours are a great way to see the sites of Virginia City, walking tours allow you to choose your own pace and to see inside the sites. The only walking tour is the new mobile app audio tour; there is no brochure. The mission of the tours, visitors information, and museums is to leave guests with a taste of the history of Virginia City, the largest federally designated Historic District in the United States. In 1859, Mount Davidson was just a desolate mountain until miners Pat McLaughlin and Peter O’Reilly discovered gold at the head of Six-Mile Canyon. The Comstock Lode was named after Henry Comstock, who falsely claimed the property was his. Soon miners flocked to the mountain, and Virginia City was born. Early miners were hampered by sticky blue-gray mud. Someone took it to an assayer, who found it was silver ore worth more than $2,000 a ton. The frustrating mud became a new bonanza strike, increasing the influx to the region. Through Virginia City’s hay-day, miners bored an estimated 800 miles of tunnels into the mountain producing about $700 million in gold and silver — an amount that would equal billions of dollars in today’s economy. President Abraham Lincoln quickly made Nevada a state, giving the North access to the wealth and helping win the Civil War. In the West, Virginia City gold and silver fueled the building of San Francisco. Timber used to shore up Virginia City mines came from the forests of Lake Tahoe, where the timber industry swelled the population around the lake. To handle the riches, the Carson Mint was constructed in Carson City, striking the first coin in 1870 and fueling the commerce in the West. To carry the gold and silver out of Virginia City and timbers and supplies to the boomtown, the Virginia & Truckee Railroad was laid. The V&T, which made its first run in 1870, connected to the transcontinental railroad line that ran through Reno,

by Sally Roberts

LIVES OLD WEST HISTORY

The Mackay Mansion was built in 1860 as the headquarters of a mining company.

Courtesy of Virginia City Tourism Commission


thus connecting the reach of the Comstock to the world. In 1886, 200 millionaires lived in Virginia City. Many went on to powerful positions in West. Two of them were George Hearst and John Mackay, whose stories are told on the narrated tours along with their connection to the Virginia City landmark, the Mackay Mansion. In 1874, Hearst was superintendent of Virginia City’s Gould & Curry Mining Company and lived in its office building, which was later purchased by Silver King John Mackay. Hearst earned a fortune in mining in several western mines and later purchased the San Francisco Examiner. His son, William Randolph Hearst used that start to create a publishing empire and eventually to build Hearst Castle on the California coast. Mackay came to Virginia City to work in the mines. By 1864, he owned one. His silver helped lay the first transatlantic cable and establish the School of Mines at the University of Nevada, Reno, which is named after him. At its peak, Virginia City was the major town between Denver and San Francisco. It had 110 saloons, 35 hotels, 22 restaurants, 17 breweries and six churches. Another landmark, Piper’s Opera House, drew entertainers and luminaries such as President Grant, Buffalo Bill, and Al Jolson. San Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, found his writing voice working for Virginia City’s Territorial Enterprise, the first newspaper in Nevada. Clemens left town after a fight, but returned to speak at the Opera House. Through the decades from the late 1800s through early 1900s, Virginia City went through a series of booms and busts, construction and fires, which continually changed the face of the town. As gold and silver deposits became more difficult to mine, and the price of precious minerals dropped, Virginia City declined and its historic building began to crumble. Instead of fading into a ghost town, the popularity of the TV western “Bonanza” changed its fortune. Virginia City’s new boom became tourism, beginning with the search for the town where the Cartwrights did business. When visitors come to Virginia City looking for the flat streets and short distances portrayed by Hollywood, the can be dismayed by the differences, said Bellesi from Virginia City Tours. When Hoss and Little Joe get on their horses in the morning at the Bonanza Ranch at Lake Tahoe to go to Virginia City, in television version, they can get back home by dinner. In reality “the horses would have had to be jet propelled,” he said. Visitors may not find much of the Virginia City of Bonanza, but what they can find is much richer.

TNT operates spring through fall. Rides fill up fast, so early booking is recommended. While guided tours are a great way to see the sites of Virginia City, walking tours allow you to chose your own pace and to see inside the sites. Maps and information are available at the Virginia City Visitors Center at 86 South C Street. The mission of the tours, visitors information, and museums is to leave guests with a taste of the history of Virginia City, the largest federally designated Historic District in the United States. In 1859, Mount Davidson was just a desolate mountain until miners Pat McLaughlin and Peter O’Reilly discovered gold at the head of Six-Mile Canyon. The Comstock Lode was named after Henry Comstock, who falsely claimed the property was his. Soon miners flocked to the mountain, and Virginia City was born. Early miners were hampered by sticky blue-gray mud. Someone took it to an assayer, who found it was silver ore worth more than $2,000 a ton. The frustrating mud became a new bonanza strike, increasing the influx to the region. Through Virginia City’s hay-day, miners bored an estimated 800 miles of tunnels into the mountain producing about $700 million in gold and silver — an amount that would equal billions of dollars in today’s economy. President Abraham Lincoln quickly made Nevada a state, giving the North access to the wealth and helping win the Civil War. In the West, Virginia City gold and silver fueled the building of San Francisco. Timber used to shore up Virginia City mines came from the forests of Lake Tahoe, where the timber industry swelled the population around the lake. To handle the riches, the Carson Mint was constructed in Carson City, striking the first coin in 1870 and fueling the commerce in the West. To carry the gold and silver out of Virginia City and timbers and supplies to the boomtown, the Virginia & Truckee Railroad was laid. The V&T, which made its first run in 1870, connected to the transcontinental railroad line that ran through Reno,

by Sally Roberts

The Mackay Mansion was built in 1860 as the headquarters of a mining company.


76 N. C StreetVirginia City, NV

775.847.7474reddogvc.com

Great Pizza, Salads,

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live jazz

SUNDAYS AT 5PM

2 FREE Sodas

with purchase of a large pizzaJuly 18-20

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Reserve Space for your Group Function

OUT WEST cuisine

Traditional Enchiladas • Steak or Mahi TacosBBQ Chicken Quesadillas • Vegetarian Options

Creative Salads • Great BurgersHomemade Desserts • Beer, Wine & Spirits

Wednesday–Saturday 11:30-8Sunday 10–7

Sunday Brunch 10–2

394 South C Street • Virginia City775.847.5151 • cafedelriovc.com


Virginia city

w w w . b u c k e t o f b l o o d s a l o o n . c o m

775-847-0332 1 “C” Street

Home of David John and the Comstock Cowboys

Old Time PhotosPriscilla Pennyworth’s

56 N. “C” St. • Virginia City775.847.0333

Present this ad & recievea free mat with minimum purchase

Say Cheese!

VISITING HISTORIC SITES

St. Mary in the Mountains Church is a cornerstone of Virginia City.


Walking or riding, these are some of the major historic sites in Virginia City:

At the Comstock History Center see one of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad’s original steam locomotives, No. 18 Dayton. For those looking for more detailed history of the Comstock, the center also houses the Comstock Historical District Commission and the Comstock Cemetery Foundation. The center is located at the corner of E and Union streets. Call 775-847-0419. Open year round from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays.

Fourth Ward School Cultural Center is the site of the historic Fourth Ward School. Constructed in 1876 in Second Empire style, the four-storied wooden school was built to accommodate more than 1,000 students. Its 16 classrooms retain original patina, desks, maps and books. The state-of-the-art school was the first building west of the Mississippi River to have drinking fountains on every floor plus central heat. The Fourth Ward School Cultural Center, located at 537 S. C Street, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily from May-October. For more information, go to www.fourthwardschool.org

The Comstock Firemen’s Museum/NV State Firemen’s Museum displays 19th-century firefighting equipment with artifacts relating to the history of fire fighting on both the Comstock and throughout Nevada. Liberty Engine Company No. 1 is still an operating volunteer firefighting unit. Located at 117 S. C St., the museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily from Memorial Day-Labor Day. For more information, call 775-847-0717 or go to comstockfiremuseum.com

The Mackay Mansion was built in 1860 by George Hearst as the headquarters of the Gould & Curry Mining Company Office and later purchased by silver king John Mackay. Between 1860 and 1950, bars of gold bullion were sold directly from the vault. Tour highlights include mining artifacts, original furnishings and Tiffany silver. Located at 291 South D St., the mansion is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily during the summer. For winter hours, call the visitor center at 775-847-7500. For more information, call 775-847-0373 or go to mackaymansion.com

Virginia City is the sight of Nevada’s first newspaper, the Territorial Enterprise, which is also where Sam Clemens discovered a knack for writing before taking the pen name of Mark Twain. The Mark Twain Museum at the Territorial Enterprise displays Mark Twain’s desk, chair, books and most of the original furnishings and equipment of the pressroom. Located at 53 South C St., the museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. year round. For information, call Sandy or John Bouie at 775-847-0525.

Pipers Opera House was built in the 1880s and is listed by the League of Historic Theaters. One of the most significant vintage theaters on the West Coast, this stage once welcomed President Grant, Buffalo Bill, Al Jolson and Mark Twain, as well as other famous performers from across the U.S. and Europe and continues to be open for performances and special events. Today’s guests at Piper’s Opera House can keep their eye out for the ghosts who are said to attend many of the performances. Piper’s Opera House has recently undergone extensive restoration, so please check the website for upcoming events. Located at B and Union streets, the opera house is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily during the summer. For information on guided tours or other details, call 775-847-0433 or toll free 888-422-1956 or go to PipersLiveVC.com.

Built in 1876, the St. Mary’s Art Center was originally established as the St. Mary Louise Hospital by the Sisters of Charity and Bishop Patrick Manogue. The 36-room could accommodate more than 70 patients. Since 1964, the 14,000-square-foot hospital has been operating continuously as a creative retreat center for business meetings, family reunions, artist and writers workshops and more. The National Historic Landmark is considered the Grand Dame of Virginia City. Glimpse into history and the lives of individuals who stayed at the hospital; wander through galleries and experience original works of art which are also for sale. Located at 55 North R St. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays from May through October; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays from November through April; or by appointment. For information on creative center retreats and events, or paranormal tours, call 775-847-7774 or go to stmarysartcenter.org.

St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church is arguably the most prominent historical structure and institution in Virginia City. Nevada’s oldest Catholic Church was built by “Paddy” Manogue, who ministered to the hard-working Irish-Catholic miners for almost 20 years and then became the first Bishop of Sacramento, Calif. The site offers a free tour of the museum and wine cellar. Numerous church artifacts and photographs are on display and St. Mary’s also has an extensive gift shop that supports the small parish and restoration project. Located at Taylor and E streets, the church is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and is open for Mass at 4 p.m. Saturdays and 11:30 a.m. Sundays. For more information, call 775-847-9099 or email [email protected]

Silver State National Peace Officers Museum is dedicated to sharing the rich history of law enforcement nationwide. Located in the Storey County Courthouse 1876 jail, the museum boasts the Nevada Peace Officers Memorial Room, a children’s interactive room and an old time law enforcement themed photo studio. Located at 26 South B St., the museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily from May-October. For more information, call 775-847-7800, email infopeaceofficersmuseum.org or visit www.peacofficersmuseum.org

The Storey County Courthouse, built in 1876 after being destroyed in the great fire of 1875, is the state’s oldest continuously operating courthouse. Built in the Italianate style, the two-story seat of government houses a two-tier jail, courtroom and large iron-lined record vaults. The exterior facade is brick with details of ornate iron. The Victorian-era courthouse boasts a Lady of Justice statue without her blindfold. The story is that the county chose to not blindfold her to express that here justice was, and continues to be, not blind. Located at 26 South B St., hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday year round except holidays. For more information, go to www.nps.gov/nr/travel/nevada/sto.htm


St. Mary in the Mountains Church is a cornerstone of Virginia City.


Walking or riding, these are some of the major historic sites in Virginia City:

At the Comstock History Center see one of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad’s original steam locomotives, No. 18 Dayton. For those looking for more detailed history of the Comstock, the center also houses the Comstock Historical District Commission and the Comstock Cemetery Foundation. The center is located at the corner of E and Union streets. Call 775-847-0419. Open year round from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays.

Fourth Ward School Cultural Center is the site of the historic Fourth Ward School. Constructed in 1876 in Second Empire style, the four-storied wooden school was built to accommodate more than 1,000 students. Its 16 classrooms retain original patina, desks, maps and books. The state-of-the-art school was the first building west of the Mississippi River to have drinking fountains on every floor plus central heat. The Fourth Ward School Cultural Center, located at 537 S. C Street, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily from May-October. For more information, go to www.fourthwardschool.org

The Comstock Firemen’s Museum/NV State Firemen’s Museum displays 19th-century firefighting equipment with artifacts relating to the history of fire fighting on both the Comstock and throughout Nevada. Liberty Engine Company No. 1 is still an operating volunteer firefighting unit. Located at 117 S. C St., the museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily from Memorial Day-Labor Day. For more information, call 775-847-0717 or go to comstockfiremuseum.com

The Mackay Mansion was built in 1860 by George Hearst as the headquarters of the Gould & Curry Mining Company Office and later purchased by silver king John Mackay. Between 1860 and 1950, bars of gold bullion were sold directly from the vault. Tour highlights include mining artifacts, original furnishings and Tiffany silver. Located at 291 South D St., the mansion is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily during the summer. For winter hours, call the visitor center at 775-847-7500. For more information, call 775-847-0373 or go to mackaymansion.com

Virginia City is the sight of Nevada’s first newspaper, the Territorial Enterprise, which is also where Sam Clemens discovered a knack for writing before taking the pen name of Mark Twain. The Mark Twain Museum at the Territorial Enterprise displays Mark Twain’s desk, chair, books and most of the original furnishings and equipment of the pressroom. Located at 53 South C St., the museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. year round. For information, call Sandy or John Bouie at 775-847-0525.

Pipers Opera House was built in the 1880s and is listed by the League of Historic Theaters. One of the most significant vintage theaters on the West Coast, this stage once welcomed President Grant, Buffalo Bill, Al Jolson and Mark Twain, as well as other famous performers from across the U.S. and Europe and continues to be open for performances and special events. Today’s guests at Piper’s Opera House can keep their eye out for the ghosts who are said to attend many of the performances. Piper’s Opera House has recently undergone extensive restoration, so please check the website for upcoming events. Located at B and Union streets, the opera house is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily during the summer. For information on guided tours or other details, call 775-847-0433 or toll free 888-422-1956 or go to PipersLiveVC.com.

Built in 1876, the St. Mary’s Art Center was originally established as the St. Mary Louise Hospital by the Sisters of Charity and Bishop Patrick Manogue. The 36-room could accommodate more than 70 patients. Since 1964, the 14,000-square-foot hospital has been operating continuously as a creative retreat center for business meetings, family reunions, artist and writers workshops and more. The National Historic Landmark is considered the Grand Dame of Virginia City. Glimpse into history and the lives of individuals who stayed at the hospital; wander through galleries and experience original works of art which are also for sale. Located at 55 North R St. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays from May through October; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays from November through April; or by appointment. For information on creative center retreats and events, or paranormal tours, call 775-847-7774 or go to stmarysartcenter.org.

St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church is arguably the most prominent historical structure and institution in Virginia City. Nevada’s oldest Catholic Church was built by “Paddy” Manogue, who ministered to the hard-working Irish-Catholic miners for almost 20 years and then became the first Bishop of Sacramento, Calif. The site offers a free tour of the museum and wine cellar. Numerous church artifacts and photographs are on display and St. Mary’s also has an extensive gift shop that supports the small parish and restoration project. Located at Taylor and E streets, the church is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and is open for Mass at 4 p.m. Saturdays and 11:30 a.m. Sundays. For more information, call 775-847-9099 or email [email protected]

Silver State National Peace Officers Museum is dedicated to sharing the rich history of law enforcement nationwide. Located in the Storey County Courthouse 1876 jail, the museum boasts the Nevada Peace Officers Memorial Room, a children’s interactive room and an old time law enforcement themed photo studio. Located at 26 South B St., the museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily from May-October. For more information, call 775-847-7800, email infopeaceofficersmuseum.org or visit www.peacofficersmuseum.org

The Storey County Courthouse, built in 1876 after being destroyed in the great fire of 1875, is the state’s oldest continuously operating courthouse. Built in the Italianate style, the two-story seat of government houses a two-tier jail, courtroom and large iron-lined record vaults. The exterior facade is brick with details of ornate iron. The Victorian-era courthouse boasts a Lady of Justice statue without her blindfold. The story is that the county chose to not blindfold her to express that here justice was, and continues to be, not blind. Located at 26 South B St., hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday year round except holidays. For more information, go to www.nps.gov/nr/travel/nevada/sto.htm

The Way It Was Museum displays the most complete collection of Comstock mining artifacts in the world as well as rare photos, lithographs and maps of the “Bonanza” period. Located at 113 North C St., and is open 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, year round except Christmas. For more information, call 775-847-0766 or go to www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/13263

The Washoe Club Haunted Museum. The Washoe Club has been called one of the most haunted locations in the west. Featured on the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” as well as SyFy’s “Ghost Hunters”, the building has earned its place among the elite haunted locations. Memberships start at $20 per year and provide access to the Crypt as well as the infamous Spiral Staircase. Located at 112 South C St., the museum is open year-round but hours and tour times vary. Call 775-847-4467. For more information, go to http://www.thewashoeclub.com/.

With its riches first located in1859, Virginia City’s Chollar Mine (later the Chollar-Potosi) was one of the leading producers on the Comstock. Today the mine is open for visitors. A guided tour lasts a half hour and is a 400-foot, level walk. Visitors see square-set timbering, silver ore, rock drills, as well as displays of old equipment. The mine entrance is located at 615 South F Street. It’s open 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday-Thursday, Easter through October. For more information, call 775-847-0155.

Ponderosa Mine Tour begins in the Ponderosa Saloon and goes through The Best and Belcher Mine. The 25 minute guided tour shows more than 300 pieces of antique mining equipment, plus underground mine workings — tunnels, crosscuts, drifts, stopes, raises, winzes and shafts. The mine is located at 106 South C St. and is open daily 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in summer and noon-5 p.m. in winter. For more information, call 775-847-7210

The 1860s Joshua Hendy (built in San Francisco) two-stamp Gold Mill is still operating at the Comstock Gold Mill. The narrated tour shows how gold was processed from ore to recovery and explains the history of mining equipment. Open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Mondays, May 14-Labor Day. For more information, email [email protected].

Bring the family and pan for gold like the miners once did on the Comstock at the Virginia City Mining Company. Located 171 South C St., the company is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Monday. For more information, call 775-847-7744

The Silver Terrace and Gold Hill Cemeteries are a series of terraces dramatically located on a steep, windswept hillside of Virginia City. As this boomtown became a more permanent settlement, there was a need for a cemetery. Beginning in the 1860s, a variety of fraternal, civic and religious groups established burial yards on the hillside. The inscriptions on the markers give silent testimony to the social and economic fabric of both Virginia City and Gold Hill. For more information about these Comstock Cemeteries, visit comstockcemetery.com.

12 VIRGINIA CITY VISITORS GUIDE 2014

VISITOR TOUR OPTIONS

The V&T Railroad is among the most popular attractions in Virginia City.


Tours provide overview, perspectiveThese tours help visitors understand the rich history of Virginia City.

Happy Hoofers, Historic Virginia City Horse Drawn Carriage TourC Street in Front of the Palace Saloon30 minute or 1 hour toursnoon- 6 p.m., daily, May through OctoberFor special events, call for reservations

Virginia City TrolleyA 2.5-mile, 20-minute narrated tour of Virginia City on a trolley or tram.10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., daily, year-round

TDT StagelinesNext to the Comstock Gold Mill on F Street at the railroad crossing. Ride the last full size Concord stagecoach, that runs full speed like they did in the 1800s. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except Tuesday, spring through fallBook early 775-721-1496 or 775-230-1786

V&T RailroadVirginia City Depot is located at 166 F St.775-847-0380The Carson City Eastgate Depot is located on Flint Drive, off U.S. Highway 50, six miles east of downtown Carson CityThe scenic railroad offers summertime tours from Carson City to Virginia City using century old, ornate, open and closed passenger cars- powered by hard working steam and heritage diesel locomotives. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad is the most famous of all American Short Line railroads. For train schedules visit VirginaTruckee.com

Virginia City could be the parade capital of America. And who, after all, doesn’t love a parade? A dozen times a year, locals and visitors line the wooden sidewalks of C Street to enjoy an exciting old-fashioned, western-themed, often patriotic and sometimes humorous, parade. Hundreds of entrants participate, including civic and youth organizations, politicians, VIPs, bands and dancers. Old West and Civil War re-enactors tote guns to match their historic garb, firing into action at specific spots along the parade route. Virginia City features a parade for most major holidays, plus a few other events.

• The parade calendar starts out with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, beginning at noon on the Saturday before day that celebrates all things Irish. The parade held in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry, also known as the Testicle Festival, in which cooks compete and guests taste this ranching delicacy.

• The Easter Bonnet and Pet Parade, usually the Saturday before Easter Sunday, is an annual celebration of spring with kids, parents and pets all decked out in their Easter finery.

• National Police Memorial Parade is sponsored by Virginia City’s Silver State National Peace Officers Museum, which is dedicated to sharing the stories and preserving the history of the men and women patrolling the streets of America.

• On the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, the Celebration Of Heroes Parade honors America’s veterans, especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

• The Red White and Blue is also prominent for the annual Fourth of July Parade, held at noon on the holiday each year. The day’s celebration also includes the Comstock Cowboys Second Amendment Concert, featuring a free concert at 6 p.m. by the popular country western band and fireworks at sundown.

The V&T Railroad is among the most popular attractions in Virginia City.


TDT StagelinesNext to the Comstock Gold Mill on F Street at the railroad crossing. Ride the last full size Concord stagecoach, that runs full speed like they did in the 1800s. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except Tuesday, spring through fallAdults, $12, 4 years and under free, Family rates availableBook early 775-721-1496 or 775-230-1786

V&T RailroadVirginia City Depot is located at 166 F St.775-847-0380The Carson City Eastgate Depot is located on Flint Drive, off U.S. Highway 50, six miles east of downtown Carson CityThe scenic railroad offers summertime tours from Carson City to Virginia City using century old, ornate, open and closed passenger cars- powered by hard working steam and heritage diesel locomotives. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad is the most famous of all American Short Line railroads. For train schedules visit VirginaTruckee.com

by Sally Roberts

LOVES A PARADE

Virginia City could be the parade capital of America. And who, after all, doesn’t love a parade? A dozen times a year, locals and visitors line the wooden sidewalks of C Street to enjoy an exciting old-fashioned, western-themed, often patriotic and sometimes humorous, parade. Hundreds of entrants participate, including civic and youth organizations, politicians, VIPs, bands and dancers. Old West and Civil War re-enactors tote guns to match their historic garb, firing into action at specific spots along the parade route. Virginia City features a parade for most major holidays, plus a few other events.

• The parade calendar starts out with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, beginning at noon on the Saturday before day that celebrates all things Irish. The parade held in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry, also known as the Testicle Festival, in which cooks compete and guests taste this ranching delicacy.

• The Easter Bonnet and Pet Parade, usually the Saturday before Easter Sunday, is an annual celebration of spring with kids, parents and pets all decked out in their Easter finery.

• National Police Memorial Parade is sponsored by Virginia City’s Silver State National Peace Officers Museum, which is dedicated to sharing the stories and preserving the history of the men and women patrolling the streets of America.

• On the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, the Celebration Of Heroes Parade honors America’s veterans, especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

• The Red White and Blue is also prominent for the annual Fourth of July Parade, held at noon on the holiday each year. The day’s celebration also includes the Comstock Cowboys Second Amendment Concert, featuring a free concert at 6 p.m. by the popular country western band and fireworks at sundown.

• The Labor Day Parade, runs at noon on Labor Day Monday, Sept. 1 for 2014. Labor Day weekend-long, the Virginia City is home to Comstock Civil War Days, with encampments, train robberies and battle re-enactments during the Labor Day Parade. While the holiday closes out the summer season, it’s not the last of Virginia City’s celebrations.

• Virginia City World Championship Outhouse Races Parade takes place in early October. The rolling outhouses, designed to race — and entertain — during the weekend competitions, are the featured entrants of the parade. Get an early look and pick out favorites. The 2014 Outhouse Races Parade takes place Oct. 5, with races on both Saturday and Sunday.

• Virginia City’s Veteran’s Day Parade takes place on the Nov. 11 holiday each year with the parade beginning at 11 a.m.

• Closing out the parade year in Virginia City is the Christmas on the Comstock Parade of Lights. The parade starts at 5 p.m. for maximum enjoyment of the brightly lighted floats and vehicles. Generally scheduled for the first Saturday of December, the 2014 parade will take place on Dec. 6.

History and good times combine in many parades each year in Virginia City.


Visiting a memorable location like Virginia City calls for a memorable shopping trip. As unique as the community itself, the retail venues along South C Street feature unusual ways to bring home a memory of the Comstock. You can still contribute to a collection of T-shirts, coffee mugs and refrigerator magnets -- including many selections with a distinctly Comstock style. But be sure to browse the dozens of shops to pick up a one-of-a-kind memento of the Old West. Several Virginia City venues offer sepia-toned photographs resembling photos from great-grandma’s album. “Dressing up for the photo is part of the fun. You can be a cowboy, sheriff or Civil War soldier; bar maid, schoolmarm or Victorian lady. With costumes that tie in the back, everything fits everyone,” said Becky Hoffman, manager at Old Time Photos. “The most popular style is the saloon girl and cowboy poses,” she said, “and young boys love handling the prop guns and playing cowboy.” “Every little boy and girl deserves to dress up,” she said. “Virginia City is a happy place to be, to step back into the West.” Old West costumes and accessories can be purchased from other shops along Virginia City’s shopping district, and you can even take home actual pieces of history. Colorful glass and silver antique pickle castors are popular souvenirs at the Delta Gift Shop. “In the 1800s, it was a sign of wealth if you had pickle castors instead of digging into a pickle jar,” Delta’s Jett Aguilar said. The shop also carries a large variety of items excavated at Virginia City, including old bottles, silverware, keys, and railroad spikes, plus estate jewelry from the 1920s and later. “If you can think of it, it’s here” Aguilar said. When it comes to jewelry, nothing says western like turquoise and Nevada has its own unique western jewelry made of precious and semi-precious stones.

Varied colors of turquoise mined in Nevada — from bright green, blue-green, and even white — can be found in Virginia City jewelry stores and some carry Nevada opals. Shaws, a jewelry and gifts shop, provides a map of where the various colored turquoise is mined. Virginia City is a happy place for rock collectors, too, with several rock shops to dazzle both serious rock collectors and the curious. At the Comstock Rock Shop and its sister store, Stone Age, rock enthusiasts can find geodes and fossils — including shark teeth — and colorful rocks in every hue. Several shelves feature rocks from Nevada; other sections offer rocks and fossils from all over the world. Some of the most amazing finds in Virginia City’s shopping district are luxury items that are unique in the world, attracting customers looking for something different, but not necessarily Old West styled. Kashmir American Enterprises features finely crafted scarves, shawls, clothing, rugs, hand-painted boxes, swords, jewelry and more; resembling a grand bazaar in Istanbul. The products “take lots and lots of work,” said shop owner Firdous Ahmad, pointing out the delicate weave and embroidery of a shawl. “They are considered a piece of jewelry.” People from around the world seek out the products he offers. Many heading to Burning Man make a detour for Kashmir’s selection of hookahs, costumes and jewelry. “My customers are looking for something special,” he said. “They come here and see quality and like to invest in quality they can’t find it at home.” Jay Nguyen’s customers at Rainbow Wooden Art also are looking for unique handcrafted items. They consider his carved statues, wall art, and metal art worth a trip to the Comstock. “I sell a lot of statues and ships,” he said, pointing to a carved ship that would sell in other cities for several times more than what’s on the price tag. Doing business in Virginia City instead of the big city helps him keep prices low. “It’s all handmade. I have the biggest collection, and you can find unique art.” Whether looking for a special souvenir, a gift, or just a day of shopping, Virginia City offers a unique shopping experience.

Symptoms of a wine rut are: finding yourself ordering only the house wine because it is cheap; not stepping out of a wine comfort zone; sticking with the tried and true. If this sounds like you, a Virginia City Wine Tour is the cure. Explore the history and shops rooted in Comstock lore dating back to the late 1800s while sampling “wines of the West” along the way. The Virginia City Wine Tour is scheduled the first Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Aug. 2. Advance purchase tickets are available for $15 or $20 the week of the event. Admission includes access to 18 merchants, a commemorative stemless wine glass and a map. Participating merchants include Delta Gift Shop, Café Del Rio, Comstock Creamery & Firehouse BBQ, Comstock Corner Café, Core at Cider Factory, Marshall Mint, Mustang Ranch Steakhouse & Hunters Lounge, Old Red Garter,

by Sally Roberts

UNIQUE SHOPPING STYLE

The streets of Virginia City are linedwith unique shopping opportunities.


The many saloons in Virginia City reflect its rip-roaring history as a mining town.



Varied colors of turquoise mined in Nevada — from bright green, blue-green, and even white — can be found in Virginia City jewelry stores and some carry Nevada opals. Shaws, a jewelry and gifts shop, provides a map of where the various colored turquoise is mined. Virginia City is a happy place for rock collectors, too, with several rock shops to dazzle both serious rock collectors and the curious. At the Comstock Rock Shop and its sister store, Stone Age, rock enthusiasts can find geodes and fossils — including shark teeth — and colorful rocks in every hue. Several shelves feature rocks from Nevada; other sections offer rocks and fossils from all over the world. Some of the most amazing finds in Virginia City’s shopping district are luxury items that are unique in the world, attracting customers looking for something different, but not necessarily Old West styled. Kashmir American Enterprises features finely crafted scarves, shawls, clothing, rugs, hand-painted boxes, swords, jewelry and more; resembling a grand bazaar in Istanbul. The products “take lots and lots of work,” said shop owner Firdous Ahmad, pointing out the delicate weave and embroidery of a shawl. “They are considered a piece of jewelry.” People from around the world seek out the products he offers. Many heading to Burning Man make a detour for Kashmir’s selection of hookahs, costumes and jewelry. “My customers are looking for something special,” he said. “They come here and see quality and like to invest in quality they can’t find it at home.” Jay Nguyen’s customers at Rainbow Wooden Art also are looking for unique handcrafted items. They consider his carved statues, wall art, and metal art worth a trip to the Comstock. “I sell a lot of statues and ships,” he said, pointing to a carved ship that would sell in other cities for several times more than what’s on the price tag. Doing business in Virginia City instead of the big city helps him keep prices low. “It’s all handmade. I have the biggest collection, and you can find unique art.” Whether looking for a special souvenir, a gift, or just a day of shopping, Virginia City offers a unique shopping experience.

Symptoms of a wine rut are: finding yourself ordering only the house wine because it is cheap; not stepping out of a wine comfort zone; sticking with the tried and true. If this sounds like you, a Virginia City Wine Tour is the cure. Explore the history and shops rooted in Comstock lore dating back to the late 1800s while sampling “wines of the West” along the way. The Virginia City Wine Tour is scheduled the first Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Aug. 2. Advance purchase tickets are available for $15 or $20 the week of the event. Admission includes access to 18 merchants, a commemorative stemless wine glass and a map. Participating merchants include Delta Gift Shop, Café Del Rio, Comstock Creamery & Firehouse BBQ, Comstock Corner Café, Core at Cider Factory, Marshall Mint, Mustang Ranch Steakhouse & Hunters Lounge, Old Red Garter,

Palace Restaurant, Pioneer Emporium, Ponderosa

Saloon, Rainbow Wooden Art, Red Dog Saloon & Pizza Parlor, Red’s Old Fashioned

Candies, Southwest Designs, Virginia Hill

Mercantile, Virginia City Visitors Center, Washoe Club and Haunted

Museum. Tickets are available online at VisitVirginiaCityNV.com or at the Virginia City Visitors Center the day of the event. The Virginia City Wine Tour Series is made possible in part by sponsors that include Virginia City’s Mustang Ranch Steakhouse, the Bucket of Blood Saloon, Camelot Party Rentals, Edible Reno-Tahoe Magazine, Coors Light and Reno Media Group.

by Sally Roberts

THE WINE-RUT CURE

The streets of Virginia City are linedwith unique shopping opportunities.


The many saloons in Virginia City reflect its rip-roaring history as a mining town.


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The Silverland Inn & Suites is the most modern 65 room Victorian-style hotel on theComstock with 9 suites with jacuzzis and banquet facilities and meeting rooms

Indoor Pool& Jacuzzi • Fitness Center • Business Center • Free ParkingGift Shop • FreeWiFi • Guest Laundry Facilities • Snack&BeverageMachines

Meetings • Conventions • Weddings • Special EventsNon-smoking • 9 Pet-Friendly Rooms • ATMMachine

100North E Street, Virginia City, NV89440 • ForReservations: (775) 847-4484www.silverlandusa.com

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Stay and Playat the Silverland Inn &Suites in Virginia City

109 S. C StreetCorner of C & Taylor

775-847-7300

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Open at 7am Daily

Homemade Pies

Homemade Biscuits & Gravy

Soups • Fresh Salads

Steaks • Chicken • Fish

Home of the famous

Mucker Melt

& The Duke Burger

Wine • Beer • Espresso

Smoothies • Milkshakes

See the Silver Queen

with 3,261 real

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Wild Horse Central.

Help Save The Virginia

Range!

Samuel Clemens

first signed his name as Mark Twain

here 150 years ago

Come by and try our Fresh Homemade

Baked Goods!

Zac with Ghost Adventures had

his first paranormal

experience here in 2004.

Ghost Hunter’s Delight!

28 N C Street, Virginia City, NV 89440(775) 847-0440 • www.silverqueenhotel.net

Silver Queen Hotel & Wedding

Chapel

Documents

Virginia City Visitors Guide