Discovering Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City put Nevada on the map for one of the greatest silver deposits found in American history. The silver mines brought men and women from all walks of life. This tour highlights the variety of opportunities men and women had in this illustrious boom town.
John Mackay, Prince of Miners
“No man in Nevada more thoroughly understands the Comstock lode than Mr. Mackay. He has made it his study for years…Mr. Mackay is the “boss” of the big bonanza.” -Dan de Quille (William Wright)
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The Territorial Enterprise and "Birth" of Mark Twain and Western Journalism
Sweeping the west like wildfire, The Territorial Enterprise became the mainstream venue for sensational stories of the American frontier. Founded in 1858, The Enterprise provided a foundation for western American journalism for more than three decades, operating out of Nevada’s famous boom town, Virginia City.
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Women in Virginia City
Contrary to popular belief, soiled doves did not rule the nest in Virginia City. Further historical analysis shows that the majority of women in Virginia City and other mining communities came from diverse backgrounds and participated in number of reputable professions, such as homemaking, teaching, housekeeping, and the liberal arts.
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The Virginia City Great Fire of 1875
Considered one of Nevada’s fastest growing cities in its day, Virginia City quickly became a pile of rubble after an 1875 fire ravaged the city for nine hours, leaving more than 2,000 structures destroyed, and hundreds homeless.
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Virginia City’s Volunteer Fire Department
The Volunteer Virginia City firemen were heroes in the public eye. They fought fires for a decade, choosing to risk their lives to keep the town, mines and people safe.
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