Misplaced Pages

Virginia City Historic District (Virginia City, Nevada): Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 01:29, 8 October 2009 editPolaron (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users44,831 edits the already already says elsewhere that this is true← Previous edit Latest revision as of 21:02, 7 August 2024 edit undoReneeWrites (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users7,428 editsNo edit summary 
(94 intermediate revisions by 42 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{otheruses4|the district in Nevada|the district in Montana|Virginia City Historic District (Virginia City, Montana)}} {{short description|Historic district in Nevada, United States}}
{{About|the district in Nevada|the district in Montana|Virginia City Historic District (Virginia City, Montana)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}


{{coord|39|18|37|N|119|38|58|W|region:RU_type:landmark_source:dewiki|display=title}}
{{Infobox_nrhp | name =Virginia City Historic District
{{Infobox NRHP
| nrhp_type =nhld
| image = Virginia City Nevada USA.jpg | name = Virginia City Historic District
| caption = | nrhp_type = nhld
| nocat = yes
| location= ], ], ]
| locmapin = Nevada | image = Virginia City Nevada USA.jpg
| area = | caption =
| location = ], ], United States
| built =1859
| locmapin = Nevada#USA
| architect= Unknown
| map_width = 160
| architecture= Bungalow/craftsman, Late Victorian
| area ={{convert|14750|acre|km2}}
| designated_nrhp_type= July 4, 1961<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web |url= http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=322&ResourceType=District
| built = 1859
|title=Virginia City Historic District |accessdate=2008-01-23|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
| architect =
| added = October 15, 1966<ref name="nris">{{cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
| architecture = Bungalow/craftsman, Late Victorian
| governing_body = Local
| designated_nrhp_type = July 4, 1961<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=322&ResourceType=District|title=Virginia City Historic District|access-date=2008-01-23|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222192022/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=322&ResourceType=District|archive-date=2007-12-22|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| refnum=66000458
| added = October 15, 1966<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
| refnum = 66000458
}} }}
'''Virginia City Historic District''' is a ] encompassing ], ], ]. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961, it is one of only six in the state of Nevada. Besides Virginia City, the district includes the former mining villages of Dayton, ], and ].<ref name="nhlsum"/><ref name="nrhpinv2"> {{citation|title={{PDFlink||1.28&nbsp;MB}}|date=April 21, 1978 |author=Charles Snell and Marilynn Larew |publisher=National Park Service}} and {{PDFlink||8.81&nbsp;MB}}</ref>


'''Virginia City Historic District''' is a ] encompassing the former mining villages of ] and ], both in ], as well as ] and ], both to the south in adjacent ], ], United States. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961, the district is one of only six in the state of Nevada.<ref name="nhlsum"/><ref name="nrhpinv2">{{citation|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Virginia City Historic District|url={{NHLS url|id=66000458}} |format=pdf|date=April 21, 1978 |author=Charles Snell and Marilynn Larew |publisher=National Park Service}} and {{NHLS url|id=66000458|title=''Accompanying 50 or so photos from 1968, 1971, 1978 and other dates.''|photos=y}}&nbsp;{{small|(8.81&nbsp;MB)}}</ref>
Virginia City was the prototype for future frontier mining boom towns, with its industrialization and urbanization.<ref name=autogenerated1></ref> It owed its success to the 1859 discovery of the ]. It is laid out in a grid pattern 1,500 feet below the top of ]. Most of the buildings are two to three story brick buildings, with the first floors used for ]s and shops. It was the first silver rush town, and the first to intensely apply large-industrial mining methods.<ref>Snell and Larew, pg.2, 5, 7</ref><ref name=autogenerated1 />


Virginia City was the prototype for future frontier mining boom towns, with its industrialization and urbanization.<ref name=autogenerated1></ref> It owed its success to the 1859 discovery of the ]. The town is laid out in a grid pattern 1,500 feet below the top of ]. Most of the buildings are two to three story brick buildings, with the first floors used for ]s and shops. Virginia City was the first ] town, and the first to intensely apply large-scale industrial mining methods.<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>Snell and Larew, pg.2, 5, 7</ref>
After a year in existence, the boomtown had 42 saloons, 42 stores, 6 restaurants, 3 hotels, and 868 dwellings to house a town residency of 2,345. At its height in 1863, the town had 15,000 residents. From its creation in 1859 to 1875, there were five widespread fires. The 1875 fire, dubbed the Great Fire of 1875, caused $12,000,000 in damages.<ref>Snell and Larew, pg.2, 8, 9</ref>


After a year in existence, the boomtown had 42 saloons, 42 stores, 6 restaurants, 3 hotels, and 868 dwellings to house a town residency of 2,345. At its height in 1863, the town had 15,000 residents. From its creation in 1859 to 1875, there were five widespread fires. The 1875 fire, dubbed the Great Fire of 1875, caused $12,000,000 in damages.<ref>Snell and Larew, pg.2, 8, 9</ref>
Today, Virginia City is but a shadow of its former glory, however, it still draws over 2 million visitors per year. In 2004 its condition was considered "threatened". One reason is that an inactive mining pit may cause some of the buildings that make up the historic nature of the district to slide into the pit. The cemeteries are constantly vandalised and are in danger of erosion. Continued use of the district for tourism is harming those historical buildings still in use, and neglect of privately-held unused buildings increases the damage to the district.<ref name="nhlsum"/>

Virginia City continues to attract over 2 million visitors per year. In 2004, the historic buildings were considered to be in a "threatened" state. An inactive mining pit may ], causing some of the buildings to slide into the pit. The cemeteries have been, and continue to be, vandalized, while erosion threatens more damage. Continued use of the district for tourism is harming historical buildings that are still in use, while neglect of privately held unused buildings increases the damage to the historic nature of the entire district.<ref name="nhlsum"/>

==Other NRHP listings within the district==
* ], 1885
* ], 1875
* ], 1864; 12 Hickey Street<ref name=nrhpdoc-Prescott>{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=93000687}} |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: C.J. Prescott House |author=Bernadette Franke and Andria S. Daley |date=April 1993 |publisher=National Park Service}} and {{NRHP url|id=93000687|title=accompanying photo from 1993|photos=y}}</ref>
* ], 1862–1864; 565 South D Street<ref name=chollar>{{cite web|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/93000689_text |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, Name of Property: Chollar Mansion |pages=5–8 |website=npgallery.nps.gov |publisher=National Park Service |year=1993 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307023945/https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/93000689_text |archivedate=March 7, 2024 |url-status=live |accessdate=March 7, 2024}}</ref>


==Contributing properties== ==Contributing properties==
The National Register of Historic Places inventory nomination form lists 65 ] in the historic district,<ref>. pp 13–14. ''nps.gov''. National Park Service. Retrieved May 3, 2018.</ref> including:
] in the historic district include:
* ] - 1867; only extant church constructed before the 1875 fire<ref name=vcwt>. (). ''visitvirginiacitynv.com''. Virginia City Tourism Commission. Retrieved December 11, 2017.</ref>
*] - built in 1867, it is one of the few buildings built before the Great Fire that still stands today;
* ] - now a community center, it was a school from its construction in 1876 to 1936; * ] - 1876;<ref name=vcwt/> a school until 1936; operating as a museum
* ], West side B Street, between Union & Sutton Streets, this cast iron and stuccoed brick building was built in 1875; * ] - 1876;<ref name=vcwt/> located on west side of B St., between Union & Sutton St.; constructed with cast iron and stuccoed brick
*], St. Mary's is a ] structure and still has services; * ] - 1868 (destroyed by 1875 fire); rebuilt in 1876–77;<ref name=vcwt/> St. Mary's is designed as a ]; still open for services
* ] - Built in 1876 and still used for services; * ] - 1862 (destroyed by 1875 fire); rebuilt in 1876;<ref name=vcwt/> still open for services
* ] - 1876–77; replaced the first county courthouse that was destroyed by the 1875 fire; the brick building is still in use<ref>. (). ''nps.gov''. National Park Service. Retrieved December 11, 2017.</ref>
* ] - Built after the 1875 fire, the rectangular brick building is still in use;
* '']'' building - built in 1862, ] once worked in the building.<ref>Snell and Larew, pgs 2-4</ref> * '']'' building - 1870s;<ref name=vcwt/> ] worked as a reporter in the building<ref>Snell and Larew, pgs 2-4</ref>

==Gallery==
<div class="center">
<div style="max-width: 500px;">
<gallery mode="slideshow">
Fourth Ward School, Virginia City, Nevada LCCN2011631000.jpg|], 1876
Virginia City-Pipers Opera House-1885.JPG|], 1883–1885
Henry Piper House NRHP 11000254 Storey County, NV.jpg|], 1875
C. J. Prescott House NRHP 93000687 Storey County, NV.jpg|], 1864
A488, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Saint Mary's and Saint Paul's, 2016.jpg|] and ] churchs, both 1876
A491, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Storey County Courthouse, 2016.jpg|Storey County Courthouse, 1876–1877<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/nevada/sto.htm|title=Storey County Courthouse|website=nps.gov|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=March 2, 2017|quote=The first county courthouse was destroyed in the Great Fire of October 1875. Reconstruction began in 1876 and the present building...was completed in February 1877.}}</ref>
Historic American Buildings Survey Robert W. Kerrigan, Photographer March 1937 - Storey County Courthouse, Virginia City, Storey County, NV HABS NEV,15-VIRG,24-1.tif|Storey County Courthouse
A487, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Territorial Enterprise, 2016.jpg|], 1862
A483, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Old Washoe Club, 2016.jpg|Old Washoe Club, 1862
HABS-VaCityNV-1875MasonicHall-1937104248pr.jpg|Masonic Hall, 1875
HABS-KofP-VaCityNV-104153pr.jpg|], 1876
A486, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Miners Union Hall, 2016.jpg|Miners Union Hall, 1876
A477, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Savage Mansion, front facade, 2016.jpg|Savage Mansion, 1876
King-McBride Mansion.jpg|King-McBride Mansion, 1876
A489, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Mackay Mansion, 2016.jpg|Mackay Mansion, 1860s
A490, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Chollar Mansion, 2016.jpg|Chollar Mansion, 1862–1864
A350, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Brass Rail Saloon, upper facade, 2011.JPG|Brass Rail Saloon, 1876
A484, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Crystal Bar, 2016.jpg|Crystal Bar, c.1876
A485, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Union Brewery, 2016.jpg|Union Brewery, c.1876
A351, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, Silver Dollar Hotel, upper facade, 2011.JPG|Silver Dollar Hotel, c.1876
Historic American Buildings Survey Robert W. Kerrigan, Photographer March 1937 - Molinelli's Hotel, C Street, Virginia City, Storey County, NV HABS NEV,15-VIRG,13-1.tif|Molinelli's Hotel, c.1876
A481, Virginia City, Nevada, USA, post office, 2016.jpg|Post Office, c.1876
The Never Really Leave, Virginia City, NV (26014962124).jpg|Cemetery
</gallery>
</div>
</div>

==See also==
{{commons category|Virginia City Historic District (Virginia City, Nevada)}}
*]
*]
*]
{{clear}}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
*
{{commonscat|Virginia City, Nevada}}
* — ''list of all available markers in Virginia City''
*Photos of numerous Virginia City, Nevada buildings and structures are available by , at ]
{{hidden begin|toggle=left|title=] (HABS) documentation}}
Located in Virginia City, Storey County, Nevada:
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-1 |id=nv0083 |title=C Street Area Survey (Commercial Buildings) |photos=21 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-2 |id=nv0082 |title=Brick Vaults, Office of Consolidated Virginia Mining Company |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-3 |id=nv0006 |title=Virginia Hotel, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-4 |id=nv0008 |title=Virginia City Union Sunday School, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-5 |id=nv0079 |title=Blaubelt Mansion |photos=2 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-7 |id=nv0004 |title=Piper's Opera House, B & Union Streets |photos=8 |dwgs=7 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-8 |id=nv0022 |title=Hardware & General Store, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-9 |id=nv0052 |title=Mark Twain "Enterprise" Building, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-11 |id=nv0010 |title=Knights of Pythias Hall, West side B Street, between Union & Sutton Streets |photos=1 |dwgs=5 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-12 |id=nv0056 |title=Savage Mining Office |photos=2 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-18 |id=nv0011 |title=Masonic Hall, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-19 |id=nv0057 |title=Storey County Courthouse |photos=5 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-20 |id=nv0013 |title=Miners' Union Hall, West side B Street, between Union & Sutton Streets |photos=2 |dwgs=5 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-21 |id=nv0019 |title=Fourth Ward School, South C Street at Highway 17 |photos=3 |dwgs=9 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-26 |id=nv0020 |title=Frederick House, D Street |photos=2 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-29 |id=nv0080 |title=Crystal Saloon |photos=4 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-30 |id=nv0017 |title=Episcopal Church, D Street |photos=2 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-31 |id=nv0074 |title=King House |photos=8 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-32 |id=nv0007 |title=Virginia City News Building, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-33 |id=nv0015 |title=Old Bar, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-35 |id=nv0016 |title=Comstock House, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-36 |id=nv0003 |title=Palace Clothing Store Building, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-37 |id=nv0058 |title=Union Brewery |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-38 |id=nv0014 |title=Molinelli's Hotel, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-39 |id=nv0018 |title="Evening Chronicle" Building, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-40 |id=nv0005 |title=Silver Hotel, C Street |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-41 |id=nv0061 |title=Norcross Mining Office |photos=3 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-46 |id=nv0009 |title=Wells Fargo Building, C Street |photos=9 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-52 |id=nv0054 |title=St. Mary's in the Mountains |photos=11 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-54 |id=nv0060 |title=Jail |photos=3 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-58 |id=nv0059 |title=Frame House |photos=4 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-77 |id=nv0065 |title=Virginia City, General View Area Survey |photos=11 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-78 |id=nv0001 |title=First Street (Commercial Buildings) |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-79 |id=nv0062 |title=Cemetery |photos=6 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-80 |id=nv0064 |title=Frame Store |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-81 |id=nv0066 |title=Harness Shop |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-82 |id=nv0067 |title=Hose House |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-83 |id=nv0077 |title=Sutro Mansion |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-84 |id=nv0081 |title=Shaft House, Active Mine |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-85 |id=nv0078 |title=Shaft House, Consolidated California & Virginia Mine |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-86 |id=nv0012 |title=Mine, General View |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-87 |id=nv0063 |title=Fire House |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-88 |id=nv0055 |title=Fire Station |photos=2 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-89 |id=nv0021 |title=Hall of Records, B Street |photos=2 |link=no}}
Located in other villages in the district:
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-13 |id=nv0069 |title=Liberty Fire House, Gold Hill, Storey County, NV |photos=2 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-15-14 |id=nv0070 |title=Miner's Union Hall, B Street, Gold Hill, Storey County, NV |photos=4 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-10-1 |id=nv0043 |title=Sutro Tunnel Entrance, Comstock Mines vicinity, Dayton vicinity, Lyon County, NV |photos=1 |link=no}}
*{{HABS |survey=NV-13-30 |id=nv0042 |title=Bluestone Manufacturing Company, Main Street & Shady Avenue, Dayton, Lyon County, NV |dwgs=1 |link=no}}
{{hidden end}}
{{hidden begin|toggle=left|title=] (HAER) documentation}}
*{{HAER |survey=NV-3 |id=nv0084 |title=Donovan's Mill, Silver City, Lyon County, NV |photos=46 |data=7 |cap=4 |link=no}}
{{hidden end}}


{{Registered Historic Places}}
{{Nevada State Historic Places/Storey}} {{Nevada State Historic Places/Storey}}
{{coord missing|Nevada}}


]
]
]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 21:02, 7 August 2024

Historic district in Nevada, United States This article is about the district in Nevada. For the district in Montana, see Virginia City Historic District (Virginia City, Montana).

39°18′37″N 119°38′58″W / 39.31028°N 119.64944°W / 39.31028; -119.64944

United States historic place
Virginia City Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Virginia City Historic District (Virginia City, Nevada) is located in NevadaVirginia City Historic District (Virginia City, Nevada)Show map of NevadaVirginia City Historic District (Virginia City, Nevada) is located in the United StatesVirginia City Historic District (Virginia City, Nevada)Show map of the United States
LocationVirginia City, Nevada, United States
Area14,750 acres (59.7 km)
Built1859
Architectural styleBungalow/craftsman, Late Victorian
NRHP reference No.66000458
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1966
Designated NHLDJuly 4, 1961

Virginia City Historic District is a National Historic Landmark District encompassing the former mining villages of Virginia City and Gold Hill, both in Storey County, as well as Dayton and Silver City, both to the south in adjacent Lyon County, Nevada, United States. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961, the district is one of only six in the state of Nevada.

Virginia City was the prototype for future frontier mining boom towns, with its industrialization and urbanization. It owed its success to the 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode. The town is laid out in a grid pattern 1,500 feet below the top of Mount Davidson. Most of the buildings are two to three story brick buildings, with the first floors used for saloons and shops. Virginia City was the first silver rush town, and the first to intensely apply large-scale industrial mining methods.

After a year in existence, the boomtown had 42 saloons, 42 stores, 6 restaurants, 3 hotels, and 868 dwellings to house a town residency of 2,345. At its height in 1863, the town had 15,000 residents. From its creation in 1859 to 1875, there were five widespread fires. The 1875 fire, dubbed the Great Fire of 1875, caused $12,000,000 in damages.

Virginia City continues to attract over 2 million visitors per year. In 2004, the historic buildings were considered to be in a "threatened" state. An inactive mining pit may subside, causing some of the buildings to slide into the pit. The cemeteries have been, and continue to be, vandalized, while erosion threatens more damage. Continued use of the district for tourism is harming historical buildings that are still in use, while neglect of privately held unused buildings increases the damage to the historic nature of the entire district.

Other NRHP listings within the district

Contributing properties

The National Register of Historic Places inventory nomination form lists 65 contributing properties in the historic district, including:

Gallery

See also

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ "Virginia City Historic District". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on December 22, 2007. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
  3. Charles Snell and Marilynn Larew (April 21, 1978), National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Virginia City Historic District (pdf), National Park Service and Accompanying 50 or so photos from 1968, 1971, 1978 and other dates. (8.81 MB)
  4. ^ Virginia Historic District -Three Historic Nevada Cities: Carson City, Reno and Virginia City-A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary
  5. Snell and Larew, pg.2, 5, 7
  6. Snell and Larew, pg.2, 8, 9
  7. Bernadette Franke and Andria S. Daley (April 1993). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: C.J. Prescott House". National Park Service. and accompanying photo from 1993
  8. "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, Name of Property: Chollar Mansion". npgallery.nps.gov. National Park Service. 1993. pp. 5–8. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  9. "National Register of Historic Places inventory nomination form". pp 13–14. nps.gov. National Park Service. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  10. ^ "Historic Virginia City Walking Tour". (archive). visitvirginiacitynv.com. Virginia City Tourism Commission. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  11. "Storey County Courthouse". (archive). nps.gov. National Park Service. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  12. Snell and Larew, pgs 2-4
  13. "Storey County Courthouse". nps.gov. National Park Service. Retrieved March 2, 2017. The first county courthouse was destroyed in the Great Fire of October 1875. Reconstruction began in 1876 and the present building...was completed in February 1877.

External links

Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) documentation

Located in Virginia City, Storey County, Nevada:

Located in other villages in the district:

Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation
National Register of Historic Places in Storey County, Nevada
Categories: