|
|
Storey County
|
Nevada owes its very existence to Storey County... more 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 have to do with 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.
A Mormon Beginning
"The Rush Is On!... The Rush to Washoe!"
But, 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, largely impacting native peoples and their delicate niches with the land. Mills were forced to move into the Tahoe Basin to take advantage of its fresh lumber. By 1890, over eighty percent of the forest in the basin was decimated. 'The Lode' became both a blessing and a curse for Nevada.
"Hail the Queen"
Today's Comstock
"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 only other community within the Storey's limits is Gold Hill, Virginia City's southern sister of about two hundred people. Little do most people just how equally important Gold Hill was to Nevada. Gold Hill has always always been a sister community to Virginia City. 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, wagons and horses re-shoed; smeltering and processing of the ore took place in Gold Hill, along with the shipping and receiving of materials and 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.
The Markers
Historical Markers of Storey County (8)
1850, the Gold Rush was on! Thousands of people from all over the world flocked westward in hopes of striking it rich. Along the journey sat a land, a land not too many people were comfortable meeting. People shunned the land like bad whiskey and expensive poker; this land was an undiscovered territory, an unwanted piece of ground. The land was just 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 that remained largely undiscovered even after John C. Fremont and his party came to survey the land in 1846. Wisely, a dozens of entrepreneurs set up trading and supply posts along well established routes and waterways to profit from these westward 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). Until its statehood in 1864, Nevada largely belonged to the Utah Territory (the state of Deseret to be precise), where Brigham Young and his followers planned to convert this uncharted land for Mormon expansion. After a few disagreements, with President Buchanan's distaste for religious monarchy, Young was forced to recall all of his disciples back to Salt Lake City; 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.
Everything changed in 1859 when silver was found in an immense vein on the foot of Sun Mountain, just east of Carson City. This vein was vast, deep and rich; men soon discovered that the 'vein' wasn't a vein at all, but a massive load of gold and silver. 'The Lode' (as it soon came to be called) was unbelievable in size, worth more than was originally fathomed. The vein 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 rich 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. Several prospectors questioned the validity of the old drunk, thinking the lode was merely a ruse. Ironically, these same prospectors 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 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 who'd arrived too late in the gold fields. These Californians, along with any other eager capitalist at the time, saw a second chance in the Comstock Lode; crude camps rose out of the sagebrush seemingly overnight; communities like Gold Hill, Silver City and the "Queen of the Comstock", were soon placed on maps across the nation. These communities soon became full-fledged cities in the middle of nowhere. How rich was Virginia City? Comstock miners became among the highest paid in the nation, at one time surpassing the maximum wage miners were paid across the globe! More businesses found success in Virginia City than anywhere else, a wonderful feeling of success, rather than having to close their doors; mining companies from all over the world felt the need to partake in Virginia City's booming economy. Soon, mining companies took over individual mining claims, creating steady jobs for every healthy man who was able to work. The name "Washoe" was born.
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: Virginia City is the reason that San Francisco is as prosperous as it is today. Shipping docks and assay offices on San Francisco's bay were owned and paid for by Virginia City stock. Virginia City is 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, Virginia City may be the reason why Nevada is its 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 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 making the Comstock Lode, the largest silver strike in American history and quite possibly the world.
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, "VC" locals are proud of this. Upon the arrival of winter, a bittersweet air taps the mountain as tourism halts, slowing the economy, yet transitioning to a nice break of peace and quiet. 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 by some and always a thought's away. Despite western Nevada's rapid growth, VC manages to retain its rustic charm, its people doing things their way and doing things whether the rest of Nevada likes it or not. Maybe it's the cool air, or the atmosphere. Maybe it's the history, or the whisky.
As most would guess, all of the markers found within Storey remind us of the Comstock Lode and the reigning of Virginia City. Despite the huge importance of Gold Hill, all eight markers are only found in Virginia City. (Seems like the SHPO didn't give a hoot about anything else, ignoring the rest of Storey's outposts and equally relevant history!) However, if you're just out hunting history alone, passing up Gold Hill would be foolish. Gold Hill 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 one of state's profound structures. 'The Hotel' 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 place of intrigue and nostalgia for any railroad buff. Storey County has even more outlying mining camps like American City, Lousetown, Washington and Lagomarsino, places that are found away from SR 341 that deserve a bit of remembrance. Aside from my views, hunters are in for a pretty easy conquering. To conquer 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. If you've been paying attention, that means the remaining six markers are outta the way: two on D Street, two on B Street, one on A Street and one that sits just outside the city limits. In other words, 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. Nevertheless, they 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. Find your own plaque and make interpretation of it however you like! 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. It is easy to forget, with its bawdy tourist shops, train rides and fudge, candy & trinket filled windows, that Virginia City is still an active community, not just a tourist circus!! People of the past and present are in full force. Pay homage to the history, energy and excitement of the old and new Storey County.
Nevada Landmarks Home Page
Site Homepage
Nevada Fun Facts
Contact
Copyright © Paul Sebesta