Virginia City

The mining boom turned Virginia City into the most important settlement between Denver and San Francisco; and the grubby prospectors into instant millionaires who built mansions, imported furniture and fashions from Europe and the Orient, and financed the Civil War... and then went on to build empires around the world. The finest example being San Francisco.

At the peak of its glory, Virginia City was a boisterous town. There was gold in every hill and millions of dollars were being made. Men came from everywhere, the "Bonanza Kings" of Irish descent: Mackay, Fair, Flood and O'Brien.

Visit the Virigina City Nevada Official Site

The spirits of these Comstock characters still inhabit the places they built, and romance still thrives in the wondrous place in the shadow of Sun Mountain. Learn of Mark Twain and his stint as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise, and how his writing career began here. Virginia City is for families with a passion for history, imagination and truly unforgettable fun.!

See the past presented , preserved and reflected in these Virginia City Attractions:

Bullette Red Light Museum

History of Julia Bullette, a favored soiled dove of 1860s Virginia City. Displays include vintage erotica and antique medical equipment. Information: 775-847-9394 or 5 "C" St., Virginia City 89440. Hours:10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., daily. Season: Year-round.

First Presbyterian Church

This 1866 historic church building at 196 South C Street is listed #301 on the American Presbyterian and Reformed Historic Sites and is one of only a few public buildings that survived the great fire of October 1875, when over 80% of Virginia City burned to the ground. Worship with us every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM, with Sunday School for children ages 4 to 15 during the worship service.

Fourth Ward School Cultural Center

> Built in 1876, the school houses permanent and changing exhibits featuring the history and culture of the Comstock. Handicap accessible. Restored. Information: 775-847-0975; Fax 882-3271 Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., daily. Season: May-Oct.

Liberty Engine Company #1 State Fireman Museum

Artifacts relating to the history of fire fighting on the Comstock and in Nevada. Information: 775-847-0717 or 117 S. "C" St., P.O. Box 466, Virginia City 89440. Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., daily. Season: Memorial Day - Labor Day.

Mackay Mansion Museum

Built in 1860 as the headquarters of John Mackay, King of the Comstock, it includes mining artifacts, original furnishings and Tiffany silver. Information: 775-847-0173; Fax 775-847-7625 or 129 S. "D" St., P.O. Box 971, Virginia City 89440. Hours: 11:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m., daily. Season: Year-round.

Nevada Gambling Museum

Features more than half-a-million dollars worth of gaming memorabilia, including over 100 antique slot machines, cheating devices and gamblers' weapons. Information: 775-847-9022 or 50 S. "C" St., Virginia City 89440. Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Oct.-Mar.; 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Apr.-Sep. Season: Year-round. .

Piper's Opera House

Built in the 1880s, Piper's Opera House attracted famous stars from Europe and the United States and is listed by the League of Historic Theaters. One of the most significant vintage theaters on the West Coast. Restoration in progress. Information: 775-847-0433 or "B" St. at Union St., Virginia City 89440. Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., daily. Season: May-Oct. .

Saint Mary's in the Mountains

Visit the most prominent historical structure and institution in Virginia City. Having been preserved during and since the Great Fire of 1875, this is the "Mother of all Catholic churches in Nevada." was built by the 6'4" "Paddy" Manogue, who ministerd to the hard-working Irish-Catholic miners for almost 20 years and then became the first Bishop of Sacramento California. Tour and Group Information: 775.885.7004

Storey County Courthouse

Rebuilt in 1876, the town of Virginia spared no expense in the construction of this building following it's destruction in the great fire of 1875. Once a most lavishly appointed building, and still the oldest continuously operating courthouse in the state, this facility boasts a rare bronze Justice figure who is unblindfolded and whose scales are not tipped. This is an operating facility and still serves the county in it's original capacity. Although not a museum, you are welcome to visit it during the regular business hours 9-5 /

Territorial Enterprise Museum

This building, built in 1876, is the third office of the Enterprise and boasted the first steam-press in Nevada. Famous american writers Mark Twain, Alf Doten and Dan DeQuille began here in it's heyday. The museum operates a self-guided tour, and is open all year with special winter hours.

Virginia & Truckee Railroad

Narrated 35-minute steam train ride through the heart of the historic Comstock mining region. Information: 775-847-0380 or Washington and "F" St., P.O. Box 467, Virginia City 89440. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m., daily. Season: May-Oct.

Virginia City Trolley

A 2-1/2-mile, 20-minute narrated tour of Virginia City on a trolley or tram. Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., daily. Season: Year-round.

Way It Was Museum

The museum displays the most complete collection of Comstock mining artifacts in the world plus rare photos, lithographs and maps of the "Bonanza" period. Information: 775-847-0766; Fax 775-847-9613 or 113 N. "C" St., P.O. Box 95, Virginia City 89440. Hours: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., daily. Season: Year-round except Christmas. Admission: Adults-$2.00; children (11 and under)-free with adult.