A Short History of Virginia City

by Ronald M. James, Susan A. James

Founded in 1859, Virginia City quickly became world famous for its extraordinary prosperity. Over the next two decades, the mines of “the Richest City on Earth” yielded millions in gold and silver. The newly wealthy built mansions and churches, opera houses and schools, with furniture, fashions, and entertainment imported from Europe and the Far East. Here young Samuel Clemens, reporting for the Territorial Enterprise in 1863, first called himself Mark Twain. At its height Virginia City was a magnet for immigrants and the world leader in technological innovations in mining.
 
The city’s story did not end when the Comstock Lode played out. Beginning in the 1930s, bohemian artists, literati, and tourists were intrigued by this remnant of the Old West. The leader of Manhattan’s café society, Lucius Beebe, moved here and relaunched the Territorial Enterprise in 1950. Television’s most popular western from 1959 to 1973, Bonanza , located its fictional Ponderosa Ranch nearby. In the summer of 1965, a handful of Bay Area musicians, including Big Brother and the Holding Company, performed at the Red Dog Saloon and launched psychedelic rock, part of the inspiration for a defining decade of youth culture. Today it is both a National Historic Landmark District and a living community. Visitors come to enjoy its saloons and restaurants, admire its architecture, and learn from its museums and exhibits. A Short History of Virginia City will enhance their experience and will also be enjoyed by anyone interested in the history of Nevada, mining, and the Old West.

• Includes an illustrated walking tour describing more than thirty buildings and sites

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2014

About the author

Ronald M. James is the author or co-author of ten books, and he received the Wilbur S. Shepperson Humanities Book Award in 1998. His articles on history, folklore, and archaeology have appeared in six countries, and he has lectured on western history throughout the nation. James also lectures occasionally at the University of Nevada, Reno in history and folklore. He is the chairman of the National Historic Landmarks Committee for the National Park Service, and he served as Nevada’s State Historic Preservation Officer for three decades.

Reviews

[Chanelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short read was a really wonderful introduction to the history of Virginia City and the early Comstock community. While I should have been able to read it in a matter of hours, I found myself stopping frequently to Google the various people/places mentioned. James did an awesome job of telling the stories of all the early and modern "players" in the community, weaving stories in and out of the historical details. And though I haven't had an opportunity to visit Virginia City yet, I'm excited to now (I'll definitely make use of the walking tour at the end of the book).

[Jaklin Lindberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've lived in Reno, NV since 2015 and grew up in Fallon, NV (1993-2011) and have run the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey (RTO) for the past 3 years (2021-2025). Every time I have participated in RTO, I have been given the legs 30, 31, 32, and 33, which, for anyone who doesn't know, run from the bottom of Gold Hill, up through Virginia City, past The Bucket of Blood, all the way to Geiger Grade. That hill is a . . .PITA and is a runner's worst nightmare, especially in the June heat of the day with 100+ degree temperatures and no shade along the route. Reading about a place that made such a significant difference to the state of Nevada, and contributed to its becoming a state due to the abundance of minerals, is quite remarkable. As I run up the hill next year, the relief will have a vastly different impact on my psyche, outside of, "Thank God I'm not running up that hill anymore."

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book but if you don't live near (as I do) or have never been to Virginia City, you may not appreciate this book.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay.