Virginia City

Virginia City, the county seat of Storey County, Nevada, sprang up as a boomtown in 1859 with the discovery of the Comstock Lode. The Comstock Lode was the first major silver deposit discovery in the United States, and it eventually produced silver and gold ore valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The city’s population began to decline after output from the mines declined in the late 1870s. As high as 25,000 residents at one time, the population today remains steady at just under 1,000.

Of Virginia City’s claim to fame is the birthplace of Mark Twain. While Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born in Missouri, while working as a writer for the local Territorial Enterprises newspaper he first used the nom de plume, which became the official author of many articles and stores.

Many historical buildings are still in use. Some buildings are private and do not allow visitors. Others are active businesses and would appreciate you stopping in and looking around. Tours may or may not be available. Among the many interpretive museums and sites are the Silver Terrace Cemetery, the Fourth Ward School Museum, the Pioneer Cemetery, the Fireman’s Museum, the Way It Was Museum, Piper’s Opera House, the Police Officer’s Museum and St. Mary’s Art Center.

Virginia City hosts numerous annual events. Check the calendar section for upcoming events. But feel free to visit any day of the year.

If you are traveling in or through the northwest areas and want to visit the glory days of the past, Virginia City specifically and Storey County in general are worthy of a day, or even two, travel respite.