Storey County
Nevada owes its very existence to Storey County. Without its own 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, the county's very foundation and modern day spinning wheels have to do with history, more accurately... the Comstock Lode. In fact, it is the only county in Nevada to still have its original courthouse, seat and political power from the day it was founded in 1861. But, let me tell a story of how Storey and the Comstock came to be. Without reading it for yourself, it's hard to really appreciate the coming of Nevada...
A Mormon Beginning
"The Rush Is On!... The Rush to Washoe!"
It's hard to imagine all of this when you visit Virginia City today. Aside from its gawdy souvenir shops and relentless, overrated sales pitches, there was a time boys and girls, when Virginia City was the "Richest Place in the West". It's hard to deny it's impact on history. Hopefuls frolicked to the foothills of Sun Mountain to try their hands at the mountain's rich silver, during a time when the goldfields of California were all but taken. Faces of all kinds and ages of all types then found Virginia City home. How rich was Virginia City? Miners were among the highest paid in the nation, at one time surpassing the highest paid miners in the world! More businesses found success rather than having to close their doors, and mining companies from all over the world felt the need to partake in Virginia City's booming economy. Soon, companies took over individual mining claims, creating steady jobs for every healthy man who could work. Think about this: Virginia City is THE reason that San Francisco is as prosperous as it today. Shipping docks and assay offices on San Francisco's bay were owned by none other than Virginia City. Virginia City is THE reason America is a free nation. Her silver funded the last remaining part of the Civil War, ultimately leading the Union to victory. Most importantly: Nevada is it's own state, not just a part of Utah or California, or a nameless gap in between the Sierra and the Wasatch. In 1864, President Lincoln admitted Nevada into the Union as the 36th state, in part of Virginia City's silver. This is my friends, is the impact Virginia City has 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 making the Comstock Lode, the largest silver strike in American history.
Here in Storey County, 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, the way things have changed to the city's new source of 'gold and silver'... tourist money! Believe me, they're proud of this, AND their history. When winter comes, a bittersweet air taps the mountain as tourism halts, slowing the economy, but also transitioning to a nice break of peace and quiet. At 6,200 feet in elevation, "VC" (as called by us locals) stands high above the valleys of Dayton and Mound House, well above the Nevada Capitol and Reno, all but forgotten by some, but always a thought's away. Despite western Nevada's growing urbanity, VC manages to retain its rustic charm, doing things their way and doing things whether the rest of Nevada likes it or not. Maybe it's the cool air, the atmosphere, the history, or the whisky.
The only other community within the Storey's limits is Gold Hill, Virginia City's southern sister of about 200 people. What history Gold Hill has! It was an equally important community in Nevada history and it's always been a sister community. Most of Virginia's milling sites were found in Gold Hill, making it more of an industrial neighbor to the south, a place where the V&T Railroad could be loaded, wagons and horses re-shoed. No doubt, there would be VC prosperity without Gold Hill. When you drives up the hairpin curve on 342, it's hard to ignore the gigantic gash on the mountain's back. This is a reminder of the extensive measures of mining the mountain's silver that led to Nevada's statehood.
The Markers
Historical Markers of Storey County (8)
1850. The Gold Rush was on! Thousands of people flocked westward in hopes of striking it rich in California's gold fields. There was a land along the journey, a land not too many people were fond of. Shunning it away like bad whiskey and expensive poker, it was an undiscovered territory, an unwanted piece of ground. Just desert. Nothing in between. The land that would today be known as Nevada was exactly as described. It was uncharted desert, largely undiscovered even after John C. Fremont and his party came to survey the land in 1846. Of course, with so many people heading westward, a few entrepreneurs set up trading and supply posts along well established routes and waterways to profit from these emigranting folk. Several trading 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) in 1851. Until its statehood in 1864, Nevada largely belonged to the Utah Territory, the state of Deseret where Brigham Young and his followers planned to convert this uncharted land toward Mormon expansion. After a few disagreements, Young recalled 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 assumed ownership of Mormon ranches and homes, but for the next few years, there was very little in the way of government and order, a land that refused to be tamed. This land was on its way to being forgotten again...
EVERYTHING CHANGED in 1859 when silver was found in an immense vein on the foot of Sun Mountain, just east of Carson City. The vein was vast, deep and rich, a HUGE body of gold and silver that was unbelievable in size and it's worth, more rich than could ever fathomed. The vein was discovered in 1857 by the Grosh Brothers. Sadly, they died before their names could be tied to it. In January of 1859, the ore body was 'found' by James, 'Old Virginny' Finney and a few prospectors challenged the old drunk for finding a ruse... prospectors who staked claims after hearing of the famous find. Turns out, the old man wasn't just suffering from the booze. At first nobody realized the Lode's potential, but after several samples of the ore arrived in Nevada City for assaying, word immediately spread of ore's value... $5,000 a ton! By spring of 1860, the "Rush to Washoe" was on! Thousands arrived by foot, wagon, horse and saddle, mostly Californians who'd arrived too late in the gold fields. They saw a second chance in the Comstock Lode, along with any other eager capitalist at the time... market vendors, entrepreneurs, fortune seekers, supplymen, liquor dealers, gaming hosts, psychics, newspapermen and of course, 'other' entertainment. Crude camps rose out of the sagebrush seemingly overnight. Communities like Gold Hill, Silver City and the "Queen of the Comstock", Virginia City were soon maps across the nation, full-fledged cities in the absolute middle of nowhere. But, there was a problem. The Comstock's mines required an enormous amount of timber to shore up its mines, as well as water to quench the thirst of a growing population. Virginia City was the first and largest community of significant in this unpopulated territory and as a result, an unbalance formed between the newcomers and the environment, largely impacting native peoples and their delicate niches with the land. Mills were forced to move into the Tahoe Basin for its fresh lumber and by 1890, over 80% of the forest in the basin was decimated. The Lode was both a blessing and a curse for Nevada.
"When you go down there, you hafta put up with all that crap down there", as stated by one VC local. "We like it up here. The Hill's nowhere else."
Now, in terms of markers. As most would guess, all of the markers found within Storey tell of the Comstock Lode and the reigning of Virginia City. Seems like the SHPO didn't give a hoot about anything else. Despite the huge importance of Gold Hill, all 8 markers are only found within Virginia City, almost like the Society ignored the rest of Storey's outposts and stories. If you're just out hunting history alone, DO NOT pass up Gold Hill! The little town is adorned with plaques, mine shafts and mill workings, original buildings that still stand as they are, an almost 'old lady' of its northern sister. The Gold Hill Hotel, established in 1859, is Nevada's Oldest Hotel, still catering to guests, pouring drinks and serving wonderful suppers! The Gold Hill Train Depot for the most part stands as it was, a nice subject piece for any railroad buff. Storey even has outlying mining camps like American City, Lousetown, Washington and Lagomarsino. Such places I am currently petitioning to become a part of the State Marker System. For now, you're in for a pretty easy conquering. Storey's markers will require you to use your own two feet for most of their conquering. The best way is to 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 the 'C Street Parade': only 2 of Storey's markers are found here. That's right. The remaining 6 are outta the way, 2 on D Street, 2 on B Street, 1 on A Street and 1 that sits just outside the city limits. Expect to walk thoroughly! You'll also see other markers as well, older plaques that are numbered registered landmarks, are actually outdated from the 70's and kept out of the historic marker system. You'll also find a few new Virginia City only markers, placed by the VC Chamber of Commerce and Storey Historical Society. Regardless, find your own plaque and make interpretation of it however you like! One word of advice: Be respectful of the locals. Once you leave the 'C Street Parade', you risk invading the privacy of those who live here. It's easy to forget with its gawdy tourist shops, train rides and fudge, candy & trinket filled windows that Virginia City is still an active community, not just a tourist circus. Just don't forget... people of the past are still present. Pay homage to the history, energy and excitement of the old Storey County.
Nevada Landmarks Home Page
Site Homepage
Fun Facts
Contact
Copyright © Paul Sebesta