4th of July on the Comstock

Most tourists that visit the Reno-Sparks-Tahoe area do not realize that tucked way back in the hills is one of the most notable towns of the Gold Rush. Virginia City, Nevada. This is a great place to watch fireworks for the 4th. Let me introduce you to the old mining town and you will understand why.

The town was originally founded in 1859 when two miners discovered Gold at the top of Six-Mile Canyon. Henry Comstock came upon the claim of Pat McLaughlin and Peter O'Reilly claiming that the land was his but promised the very gullible pair that they would have a place in history when the lode was named.

Gold and quarts were discovered all the way up the canyon, but Henry Comstock was not to name the site, another miner by the name of James Finny christened the camp during an evening of spirits and drunkenness with the name "Old Virginny" which was his nickname and the name of the place where he was born.

The miners had a difficult time with the mud on this grubstake however, and when the blue-gray mud was tested it proved to be silver ore. In 1859 the "silver ore was worth over $2000 a ton."

This remarkable discovery caught the attention of the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, which resulted in Virginia City aiding the Union during the Civil War. Nevada was then made a state, its motto, "Battle Born."

The Comstock was indeed a rich town with great mansions and wealthy men! Some of the most famous towns in the old west were boomtowns that seemed to appear overnight because of the Comstock Lode silver strike. Even in its prime, it was home to almost 30,000 people.

Virginia City is still thriving today. Although the population has decreased like so many other towns of its like, you can still drive up the windy road, taking care not to hit any wild Mustangs that frequent the hills, and take in a piece of history. They still have wooden sidewalks, saloons, piano music just like what you would expect to hear from an old western saloon with swinging wooden doors. Old fashioned ice cream parlors, candy stores and authentic shops. You can tour some of the mine shafts, which go hundreds of feet into the earth; or take a train ride on the V & T Railroad, which itself is a piece of history.

There is Piper's Opera House which in its day hosted many stars of their time, including the famous and world renowned Opera Star Emma Nevada; who was born in a mining camp in Nevada City, California not very far away from Virginia City. You can visit the old cemetery and witness some of the wooden markers that stand guard over those that passed on in the late 1800's to the early 1900's. Don't forget the popular show Bonanza starring Lorne Green and Michael Landon. Where a father and his sons lived on the Ponderosa Ranch and made journeys into town, that town being Virginia City.

While you are visiting this icon of the old west, come on up for the 4th of July, and witness a display of fireworks that seem so close you can almost reach out and touch them. it is quite something to experience a 4th of July celebration in such a unique place.