Elevation 6,220 feet. Boasting 30,000 residents, banks, churches, theaters, 110 saloons and the only elevator between Chicago and San Francisco, Virginia City was a silver mining boomtown in the 1870s. The Comstock Lode was mined out beneath the town.

Mark Twain lived here for several years, working as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise, Nevada’s first published newspaper. The city has been restored to its original appearance and includes many museums along C Street. Visit The Way It Was Museum, Delta Saloon, the Wild West Museum, Bucket of Blood Saloon and Ponderosa Saloon which offers underground mine tours.

Special events include International Camel and Ostrich Races in September, Thunder on the Mountain Civil War Encampment in August.

Fifty minute drive from Lake Tahoe, thirty-five minutes from Reno. Virginia City is located on Route 341 between Route 395 and Route 50.

Posted by Contact on Tuesday September 1, 1998.