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Historical Markers of Storey County (8)
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Nevada could very well owe its existence to Storey County. One could take it further and state specifically, Virginia City. Without Virginia City, there would arguably be no Silver State. Named after Edward Farris Storey, killed in battle during an engagement at the Pyramid Lake Indian War, Storey County's very core and modern-day spinning wheels sit deeply rooted in history, more accurately, the Comstock Lode. In fact, Storey is the only county in Nevada still retaining its original courthouse, seat and political power from the day it was founded in 1861. And that friends, is only the beginning.
A Mormon Beginning
1850: the Gold Rush begins! Thousands of people from all over the world flocked westward in hopes of striking it rich, only to meet a weary land along the way. On the journey to California, these emigrants were forced to cross this land. They shunned the land like a taste of bad whiskey or a hand of expensive poker. This land was an undiscovered territory, an unwanted piece of ground. This land was "just a desert," a land with "nothing" between where people came and where people were going. This land would eventually come to be known as Nevada, an uncharted desert spread out for hundreds of miles. This land was so vast that it remained largely undiscovered even after John C. Fremont and his party came to survey the land in 1846. Wisely, dozens of entrepreneurs set up trading posts along well-established routes and waterways to profit from these westbound folk. Several posts appeared along the Humboldt and Carson Rivers, including Ragtown (today's Fallon), Eagle Valley (today's Carson City) and Nevada's first permanent community at Mormon's Station (today's Genoa). Until its statehood in 1864, Nevada largely belonged to the Utah Territory (the state of Deseret), where Brigham Young and his followers planned a vast Mormon expansion. However, President Buchanan's distaste for religious monarchy forced Young to recall all of his disciples back to Salt Lake City and the newly-formed Mormon's Station and the rest of 'Nevada' quickly fell back into a quiet state. The few remaining settlers in 'Nevada' assumed ownership of Mormon ranches and homes, but for the next few years, there was very little in the way of government and order. Nevada was again, a land that refused to be tamed.
"The Rush Is On!... The Rush to Washoe!"
Everything changed in 1859 when silver was found in an immense vein on the foot of Sun Mountain- a vein found in such an unwanted, uncharted, "nothing but desert" land. This vein was vast, deep and rich. Soon, men discovered that the 'vein' wasn't a vein at all, but a massive lode of gold and silver. "The Lode" (as it soon came to be called) was actually discovered two years earlier by the Grosh Brothers. Before exposing the lode's location, the brothers wanted to make sure the lode was exactly that... a body of ore immense in value. Sadly, the Grosh's died before their names could be tied to it. In January of 1859, the ore body was "found" again by James 'Old Virginny' Finney. Upon his "discovery," several prospectors questioned the validity of the old drunk, thinking the lode was merely a ruse or a campfire's tale. Ironically, these same prospectors staked claims after hearing of the famous find. At first nobody realized the Lode's value, but after several samples of the ore arrived in Nevada City for assaying, word immediately spread of the ore's unbelievable value: $5,000 a ton! By spring of 1860, the "Rush to Washoe" was on! Thousands of hopefuls arrived by foot, wagon, horse and saddle, mostly Californians and any other eager capitalist at the time who saw a second chance in the Comstock Lode. Crude camps rose out of the sagebrush seemingly overnight and communities like Gold Hill, Silver City and the "Queen of the Comstock", were soon placed on maps across the nation. How rich was Virginia City? Comstock miners were among the highest paid miners in the nation and at one time, even surpassing the maximum wage miners were paid across the globe! More businesses found success in Virginia City rather than bust, marching along with success and renewal. Mining companies from all over the world, compelled to partake in Virginia City's booming economy, soon took over individual mining claims, creating steady jobs for every healthy man who was able to work. The name "Washoe" was born. The name "Washoe" meant the world.
Amidst the prosperity, there was a problem. The Comstock's mines required an enormous amount of timber to shore up its shafts, as well as water for mining purposes and to quench the thirst of a growing population. Virginia City was the first and largest community of significant size in this unpopulated territory. As a result, an unbalance formed between the newcomers and the environment and largely impacting native peoples and their delicate niches with the land. Mills were constructed in the Tahoe Basin to take advantage of its fresh lumber and by 1890, over eighty percent of the forest in the basin was cleared to nearly nothing. "The Lode" became both a blessing and a curse for Nevada.
 Mining was, is and always will be Storey County's legacy.
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"Hail the Queen"
Visit Virginia City today and it is hard to imagine all of this taking place. Aside from its bawdy souvenir shops and relentless, overrated sales pitches, there was a time boys and girls, when Virginia City was the "Richest Place on Earth". One can never deny Virginia City's impact on history. Ponder this if only for a moment. The prosperity of San Francisco is courtesy of Virginia City; shipping docks and assay offices on San Francisco's bay were owned and paid for by Virginia City stock. Ponder this as well. Virginia City may be the reason why America is a free nation; Comstock silver funded the last remaining months of the Civil War, ultimately leading the Union to victory. Most importantly, ponder this last image. Virginia City may be the reason why Nevada is its own state and not just a part of Utah or California; in 1864, President Lincoln admitted Nevada into the Union as the 36th state, partly because of Virginia City's silver. This my friends, is the impact Virginia City left on history. To this day, no other place in the nation has been able to match the Comstock's total production amount in gold and silver, therefore proudly marking the Comstock Lode as the largest silver strike in American history and quite possibly, the largest silver strike the world has ever known.
Today's Comstock
At 6,200 feet in elevation, "VC" (called by us locals) stands high above the valleys of Dayton and Mound House, well above Nevada's Capitol, all but forgotten and always a thought's away. Although times have changed, Virginia City is still the heart, spine and soul of Storey County. People who live on "the Hill" are just fine the way things are. Instead of silver, Virginia City has found a new source of gold -- tourist money! "VC" locals are proud of this. With the arrival of winter, tourism halts and a bittersweet air taps the mountain side. Things sit in austere patience and locals can breathe a sweet sigh of relief. Despite western Nevada's rapid growth, VC manages to retain its rustic charm. Comstockers do things their way and doing them in ways whether the rest of Nevada will like it or not. Maybe it's the cool air, or the warm atmosphere. Maybe it's the history. Maybe it's the whisky. Of course, mentioning VC might not be complete without mentioning Gold Hill, the only other community within Storey's limits. Gold Hill, a southern sister of about two hundred people, is mostly forgotten by most tourists. Few people are aware of just how equally important Gold Hill was to the Comstock. Most of VC's milling sites were located in Gold Hill, making the town more of an industrial neighbor to the south, a place where the V&T Railroad could be loaded, and where wagons and horses could be re-shoed. Smeltering and processing of ore took place in Gold Hill, along with the shipping and receiving of materials of ore product. No doubt, there wouldn't be VC prosperity without Gold Hill. When one drives up and around the hairpin curve on 342, it is hard to ignore the gigantic gash on the mountain's back. This is a stark reminder of the extensive mining that led to Nevada's statehood.
 Can you guess where this is? Hint: You'd have to be a local to know of this spot!
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The Markers
Suffice it to say, all of the markers found within Storey reminds their hunters of the Comstock Lode and the reigning throne of Virginia City. Despite the huge importance of Gold Hill, all eight markers are only found in Virginia City. However, if you're just out hunting history alone, passing up Gold Hill would be foolish. Gold Hill, an old lady of its northern sister, is adorned with plaques, mine shafts and mill workings, original buildings that still stand as they are. The Gold Hill Hotel, Nevada's oldest hotel, was established in 1859 and is still catering to guests, pouring drinks and serving suppers. The Gold Hill Train Depot for the most part stands as it was, a nice place of nostalgia for any railroad buff. Storey County even has a few outlying mining camps within its borders, places like American City, Lousetown, Washington and Lagomarsino. These locales, far from the main highway, almost beg for a bit of remembrance. Keep all of this in mind when its your beckoned call to conquer Storey County!
Storey County hunters are in for a pretty easy conquering. Conquering Storey's markers will require you to use your own two feet: park along C Street (good luck in the summer!) and take the entire day to leisurely stroll along the main drag. As tempting as it is, don't limit yourself to just C Street: only two of Storey's markers are found here. The remaining six markers lie away from the beaten path: two on D Street, two on B Street, one marker on A Street and one straggler that sits just outside the city limits. You might also notice other markers as well, mostly older plaques that are previously-numbered registered landmarks. These old markers contain some great text. You'll also find a few new Virginia City plaques put in place by the VC Chamber of Commerce and Storey County Historical Society. Regardless of distinction, find your own plaque and make interpretation of it however you like!
NOTE: Before concluding, I was asked by a few VC locals to include this prudent request: Be respectful of the locals! Once you leave the C Street Parade, you risk invading the privacy of those who live in Virginia City. With its bawdy tourist shops, train rides, fudge bags, and candy & trinket filled windows, it is easy to forget that Virginia City is still an active community. Please remember that people of the past and present reside in full force. Pay homage to the history, energy and excitement of the old and new "rush to Washoe." A hundred and fifty years can't be wrong.
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