Exploring Yellow Jacket Mine: Site of Nevada’s Worst Mining Disaster
All told, between 35-40 miners (and potentially more) lost their lives that day. To make matters worse, up to eleven of those perished miners’ remains are still entombed in the depths...
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Yellow Jacket Mine Disaster
Located in the tiny community of Gold Hill, just down the road from Virginia City, sits the remnants of the abandoned Yellow Jacket Mine. While there are hundreds of abandoned mines in Nevada, the Yellow Jacket’s unfortunate claim to fame makes it stand out from the rest.
On April 7, 1869, the Yellow Jacket became the site of Nevada’s worst mining disaster when a fire broke out at the 800-foot level of the mine, entrapping dozens of miners. The cause of the fire is often debated, but the general blame points to an unattended lamp.
The honeycomb-shaped timbers burned and smoldered, eventually collapsing and flooding Yellow Jacket, as well as connecting Kentuck and Crown Point mines, with poisonous gas. Firefighters made several attempts to rescue the trapped miners, but kept getting pushed back by flames and smoke.
All told, between 35-40 miners (and potentially more) lost their lives that day. To make matters worse, up to eleven of those perished miners’ remains are still entombed in the depths of Yellow Jacket, as rescuers weren’t able to reach them due to the continuous fires, and had to seal them off.
While horrific, the timing of this fire was actually fortunate because it happened during a shift change and a minimal amount of miners were working at the time. Had the fire occurred in the middle of a shift, the body count likely would have been much higher.
A few weeks later, miners would return to work at Yellow Jacket, as it was considered safe due to the affected areas of the mine being sealed off. Although the mine produced over $16.5 million in ore by 1889, Yellow Jacket would suspend major operations by 1894, and shutter for good by the 1920’s.
I recently paid a visit to this abandoned Nevada mine with my wife and explored its remains. There wasn’t much left, but being able to retrace the history of the property with the equipment that did remain made it a great outing on a weather-perfect day. Let’s get into it.
Yellow Jacket Mine Location & Parking
As mentioned above, Yellow Jacket Mine is located in Gold Hill, which is just down the road from its better known counterpart, Virginia City. It sits on the property now owned by the Gold Hill Hotel.
While Yellow Jacket is technically on private property, the owners of the hotel don’t seem to mind people exploring it, as a couple employees walked by us while we were there and didn’t say anything. Additionally, online reports seem to indicate the same.
There is paved parking on a hill directly adjacent to the hotel and restaurant. Additional parking can be found by driving to the top of the lot and turning left. You’ll see a sign ahead indicating where to park. If you happen to be here during the restaurant’s operating hours, it’s probably best to park there to keep the lot open to its patrons.
There’s no fee to park. Nor is there a fee to enter the property. If you feel inclined to do so, you could always support the owners by dining in their restaurant, Crown Point. The hotel and bar have been opened since 1861, making it the oldest operating hotel in the state. In fact, famed novelist Mark Twain enjoyed a beverage (or two) in that very bar.
Exploring the Remnants of Yellow Jacket Mine
The first thing you’ll likely see upon driving in is the old miner’s cabin, which once served as a break room for miners in between shifts. It has since been converted into an Airbnb of sorts, and is rented out to guests through the hotel.
Behind it is the head frame for the elevator shaft, which lowered the miners into the mine. The entrance into the mine shaft has been completely filled and sealed off, but you can clearly make out its outline. Near the head frame are numerous pieces of rusted equipment you can check out as well.
To the left of the first structure is a second one that looks identical to the first. Based on my research, this building was used as the main office and assay. An assay was where ore samples were tested and processed. These days, they’re simply called, “labs”.
Off in the distance from there is another mill. This structure is the former Crown Point Mine, which was separate from (but connected underground to) Yellow Jacket. This mine was also affected by the fire. You can go inside and explore the structure. I attempted to, but kept getting chased away by angry hornets (an omen, perhaps?).
Just past the second structure, and before Crown Point Mine, you’ll notice a linear dirt path which works its way to the top of the hill. You’ll take this path to access the incline chute. When you get up there, you’ll notice the train tracks.
These tracks are active, so be sure to keep an eye out for trains. During our visit, we encountered the V&T Railway conducting a tour of the area. The train stopped, the conductor gave his spiel to their patrons, and moved on. If this happens during your visit, just wait it out for a few moments because they stop right in front of the chute.
Just across the train tracks is the incline chute used to deliver ore from within the mine to the surface and from there, onto train cars. The easiest way to access the top of the incline chute is by going up the path located to the right of it.
There is a chain between two concrete posts about halfway up the path. I’m assuming this is an attempt to block access to off-road vehicles, as there’s no presence of trespassing signs and the chain is easy to step over. It was maybe knee-high on me (for context, I’m 5’9).
When you reach the top of the hill, you’ll immediately take notice of the decaying structure with metal walls and a fenced-off area to the left of it. Inside the structure is the motor and lifting mechanism (with steel cable intact) for the incline chute.
On the other side is an unguarded doorway you can use to enter the structure. If you prefer to stay outside, the items inside are clearly visible through the windows and separations between the walls.
In the fenced-off area is a shaft where the ore was brought up to the surface from the different levels of the mine. After breaking the surface, it would then be sent down the incline chute and into a train or ore cart below.
I have no idea how deep it actually goes but by the time Yellow Jacket ceased operations, the mine reached a depth of 3,080 feet. Needless to say, it’s advisable to not jump the fence for a closer look. You could send a drone in there, but there were many birds moving around in the shaft.
From here, there isn’t much more to see aside from general exploring. Watch your footing around the area of the incline chute (both up top and along the bottom). I saw many holes along the rock wall near the chute. Some were guarded and some weren’t.
Is Yellow Jacket Mine Haunted?
The answer to that question all depends on perspective. I can say that during our visit, neither my wife or myself witnessed or heard anything unusual. At one point, when I was at the top of the incline chute, I thought I heard a voice. However, that was quickly debunked when I noticed the V&T Railway conducting a narrated tour in the distance.
Aside from exploring the remains of the property, that was the only excitement we experienced. Your milage may vary, though. This property is regarded as one of the most haunted places in Nevada, as many others have reported sightings of ghostly apparitions and voices.
That said, many men did perish inside the mine. Additionally, the Gold Hill Hotel itself has been subject to paranormal activity. So much so that the crew from the “Ghost Adventures” TV show have visited this location more than once. Take that as a grain of salt, though. It is a TV show, after all.
PSALM 121:8
Mackay Mansion: How To Tour This Real-Life Haunted House in Virginia City
If you’re into visiting historic places - specifically ones that supposedly still house the original occupants - look no further…
2 minute read | contains affiliate links
If you’re into visiting historic places - specifically ones that supposedly still house the original occupants - look no further than Mackay Mansion in Virginia City.
Mackay Mansion was built in 1859 by a man named George Hearst (five years before Nevada became a state). This was the same year silver was discovered here.
Twelve years later in 1871, Hearst would sell the property to Irish immigrant and one of Virginia City’s four “Silver Kings”, John Mackay. Mackay would later go on to be the richest man to come out of the Comstock.
The former occupants have long since passed on, but they are believed to still roam the halls. The spirits of two little girls, an Army cornel, a shadow man, and Mr. & Mrs. Mackay themselves have all been seen.
Over the years, the mansion has been preserved well and year-round, daily tours are conducted detailing the history of this - even by today’s standards - lavish abode.
In this article, we’re going to give you all the information you’ll need to see it for yourself. We’re not going to spoil the tour, but we will show some pictures we took to give you an idea of what to expect.
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Getting To Mackay Mansion
The Mackay Mansion is located in the heart of one of Nevada’s most historic towns; Virginia City. It is right off and can be seen from the main strip through town.
For GPS purposes, the official address is:
291 S. D Street, Virginia City, NV 89440
As you’re driving on the main road, keep an eye out for a blue, 3-story house. There’s a road going down a steep hill right by this house and the mansion is right at the end of this road.
Parking
There’s plenty of parking around the mansion but as you’ll see when you get there, they’ve coned off the area directly in front of it. There’s plenty of street parking on D Street or on the main road above.
Admission Fees & Hours of Operation
The hours and admission fees vary and are dependent on the type of tour and time of year. There are two types of tours available:
Day Tour
The day tour is the one you’ll likely be doing and is the one with the most available time slots. This is also the most affordable option. The day tour schedule is as follows:
Summer
Friday & Saturday between the hours of 10am and 6pm
Sunday - Thursday between the hours of 10am and 5pm
Winter
Sunday - Saturday between the hours of 10am and 5pm (weather permitted).
The fees for day tours during the summer and winter are the same. They are:
$8.00 per adult
$5.00 for kids 5-12 years old
Free for kids under 5
There are several ways you can pay for your admission fees:
You can pay cash (I asked and this was their preferred method of payment).
They will also accept debit/credit cards.
Or you can purchase a Comstock Adventure Pass at the Virginia City Visitor Center. This will also include other local attractions.
Tours run about 30-minutes in length and the final tour will leave 30-minutes before closing. If a tour is running as you arrive, you’ll find the front door locked. Have a seat on the porch and the guide will come get you when they’re ready.
After Hours
We haven’t done an after hours tour (yet), but we’ve heard it’s a lot of fun. You’ll hear a lot of the same information you would during the day, but this one focuses more on the paranormal side of it.
After hours tours run on the same schedule as above but only take place between 5-6pm.
Reservations are highly recommended for the after hours tour as they cannot guarantee you a spot otherwise. To make a reservation, call this number.
The admission fees for this tour are:
$10.00 per person (adult or child)
Mackay Mansion Tour Experience
When it’s your turn to join a tour, your guide will open the door and invite you inside the office. Here, he or she will collect your admission fees and go over some quick safety information.
Our Tour Guide, Megan, was wonderful. Super friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. We hear this isn’t the exception as all the other guides are exactly the same.
The tour begins with your guide detailing the history of Mackay Mansion and its purpose back in the heyday of the Comstock. You’ll be shown examples of real silver ore, pictures of the time, and the vault where payroll and bullion was kept.
The Living Room
After checking out the vault, you’ll be instructed to head into the next room; the living room. This was my favorite of the tour due to the decor and the hand carved framing around the fireplace.
Here, your guide will tell you more about the personal lives of John Mackay and his wife, Marion. Among other things, Marion was a well known seamstress and would often design and sow her own dresses with the intention of, “stopping the show”.
Also, this room is where your guide will delve into the paranormal aspect of the mansion by showing you verified, non-doctored photos of Marion Mackay in that very room and another of a little girl.
The Stairwell
After the living room, you’ll temporarily move into the hallway adjacent to the stairwell. As you can see in the photo above, this wooden stairwell is both narrow and steep.
Here, your guide will go over what to expect on the second level where the bedrooms are. You’ll also see the Tiffany window pane above the door and see more photos of spirits.
The Upstairs Bedrooms
According to our guide, Johnny Depp stayed in John Mackay’s room while filming a movie. He was supposed to stay for 30-days but on the third night, he woke up to a little girl in a white dress jumping on his bed.
After that episode, he refused to stay another night or even step foot back into the mansion. The film crew had to go in to gather his things and move him to a hotel.
Back then, it was common place for a husband and wife to sleep in their own, separate rooms and the Mackay's were no exception. They each had their own adjoining rooms.
Across the hall are the children’s rooms and bathroom. All rooms are roped off except for one of the girls rooms. You’re able to go in and look around but you’re asked not to touch anything.
The late-1800’s era bathroom was a trip. The bathtub was the first in town to be plumbed and the toilet has gold leaf paint on both the outside and inside of it.
This is where the guided portion of your tour will conclude. You’ll be free to continue exploring the rooms at your leisure and to leave, you’ll go down both stairwells and out the door to the grounds out back.
Just before leaving the mansion, look to your left to see the dining room with original table, carpet, and chandelier. To see the grounds, go out the door and turn right.
Don’t forget to tip your guide on the way out or as the tip jar says, “Ghosts will follow you home”.
The Grounds
After finishing the tour, you’re welcome to explore the grounds in the back of the property at your leisure. We highly advise you to do this as it is simply beautiful back there.
To start touring the grounds, simply follow the brick path through some thick greenery. When weddings are held here, this is the pathway Brides take to get to the archway during the ceremony.
Beyond this area is where you’ll find the Gazebo which is original to the property. To get to it, you’ll need to go through a white gate. At first, it’ll appear as if that area is off limits, but you are able to go through.
Events
Events of all kinds can be held here. Weddings are the most common but you could also celebrate birthdays, family reunions, company events, etc. We don’t know the number of people the space can hold but it looks like it can accommodate a decent sized group.
For your event, the space comes with the gazebo, hanging lights, tables, chairs, a bar area, heaters, space for seating, and a grill (you’ll need to provide propane).
If you’re interested in holding an event at Mackay Mansion, you can contact them directly for prices and availability. Be sure to give them our regards!
Once your done, you’ll simply head out the gate and back to the front of the mansion. Afterwards, consider touring another great local destination, Chollar Mine. Read about it in our post below!
Paranormal Activity
According to our tour guide, Mackay Mansion is the 5th most haunted place in the state. We didn’t see any spirits ourselves, but others have reported seeing children, a shadow man, and John Mackay.
Consequently, the mansion has been the subject of many popular shows such as, “Ghost Adventures”, and “Dead Files”. We were told one of the crew members was knocked down by a spirit after trying to access the attic (which is off limits to the public).
The owners decided to open the mansion up to amateurs and professionals alike by offering the opportunity to hold their own paranormal investigations inside this real-life haunted house.
You can the listing for hours, fees, and how to set an appointment for one here.
We had a great time touring Mackay Mansion and we have no doubt you’ll also enjoy it. Even if you don’t believe in the paranormal, the sheer amount of history behind this place will peak your interest.
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Tour The Historic Chollar Mine in Virginia City
Established in 1859, Chollar Mine was one of Virginia City’s highest producing mines. Eventually producing 17 million in silver and gold ore over the course of its 80-year…
Established in 1859, Chollar Mine was one of Virginia City’s highest producing mines. Eventually producing 17 million in silver and gold ore over the course of its 80-year operation.
These days, there isn’t any mining going on in VC, but Chollar Mine has stood the test of time and has been preserved to offer daily tours. Visitors will get a rare glimpse at mining life in the 1800’s during this 30-minute adventure.
We recently paid a visit here and took part in a tour. Being a local historian and former miner himself, our tour guide provided tons of interesting information throughout and made it a fun, memorable experience.
While we won’t spoil the tour, we will provide you with all the information you’ll need to plan a visit. We’ll also give you some examples of topics covered during the tour.
Let’s get into it!
Location
The Chollar Mine is located in the historic Nevada town of Virginia City and right off the main strip. The exact address for GPS purposes is:
615 South F Street. Virginia City, NV 89440
If you’re one of the few that doesn’t own a smartphone with GPS capability, here’s a some visual help. Regardless of which direction you’re coming into town from, look out for the Fourth Ward School (pictured above).
Directions
As you’re approaching the school:
If you’re coming from Silver City, you’ll turn right on Occidental Grade (just before the school)
If you’re coming from the opposite direction, turn left just after the school.
You’ll drive a couple hundred yards before seeing a sign for Chollar Mine. Turn left here.
After another 100 yards you’ll see another sign (pictured above). Turn right here and go down the driveway to the parking lot.
Fees
As with most tourist attractions, there are fees to be paid in order to take part in the tour. You can feel good about it, though, as this money goes towards supporting local and preserving the mine itself.
The tour prices are as follows:
$15.00 - Per Adult
$10.00 - Per Child (age 5 - 12)
Free - Children under 5 years old
You should note that tour fees are cash only at this time. There is no ticket booth or window, rather, you’ll be greeted by the operator as you drive up and he will collect the fees.
Special rates are available for large groups from schools, churches, etc. It is also possible to arrange a private tour. You can contact them directly to inquire.
The Tour
Tours are held daily during the months of May through October between the hours of 10:00am - 4:00pm and are roughly 30-minutes in length. Depending on when you arrive, there may be a bit of a wait for the current tour to end.
After paying, your tour will begin at an old barn where you’ll all gather to listen to the tour guide describe the history of Chollar Mine. You’ll also be given a chance to look at the many artifacts that surround you.
You’ll then be taken to the entrance of the mine and hear more descriptive history of it, the miners themselves, and what life was like back then. Your tour guide will also go over some safety information with you during this time.
You will then be guided through the entrance of the mine. You’ll need to watch your head and your step as you go through the mine tunnel. For clarity, I’m 5’9 and I needed to duck to go through.
Going Inside
The tunnel is 400-feet in length and throughout the majority of it, dark. There is a rope light that runs the length of the tunnel but provides only just enough light for you to get through it. It’s as close to authentic as you can get.
The original mine cart track still runs along the floor so you’ll need to watch your footing around that. There’s also portions of the tunnel where that infamous blue/gray mud that stuck to the miners’ tools and boots is still ever present. Wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Near the end of the tunnel is where it’ll start getting cramped. When the tunnel was constructed, it was much larger. Over the years with normal wear and damage from earthquakes, the tunnel has gotten smaller. Don’t worry, though. It is safe.
If you’re claustrophobic, have a hard time bending, or have back problems this is not the tour for you. It does get uncomfortable at times and it caused my anxiety to kick in towards the end. Just something to keep in mind.
The Stope (Mining Room)
At the end of the tunnel, you’ll reach a room known as a “stope”. This is the very room where miners worked day in and day out mining for silver ore.
(As stated at the beginning of this article, we’re not going to spoil the tour. We want you to experience it for yourself. So we’re just going to give you a few examples of what to expect):
You’ll be shown examples of tools used by the miners.
You’ll see how the miners communicated with the outside world.
You’ll find out how rats were essential to miners and how they used them.
The lights will be turned off so you can get a sense for what it was like for them if a gust of wind came through and blew out the candles.
You’ll hear stories of local superstitious.
And much, much more.
Once your tour guide is finished, you’ll be given the opportunity to ask your own questions, move around parts of the room you couldn’t see, and take photographs.
The room is small and tight so depending on the amount of people in your group, you won’t be able to move around much until the end. You’ll also have a hard time standing up straight. So be prepared to sit or crouch down.
After spending 15-minutes or so in the room, your tour guide will take you back the same way you came through the tunnel.
As you’re going out be sure to keep your head down. Your eyes have adjusted to the darkness so the sudden rush of light at the end could prevent you from seeing the wooden frames above.
After you exit the tunnel, your tour guide will take any questions you may have and offer to take pictures of you and your group in front of the entrance. This is where you can give a tip if you feel inclined.
At this point, you can continue on with your vacation to other great attractions in the area. If you need suggestions, here’s a list of seven things we think you would love in Virginia City
Conclusion
We highly recommend going on a tour of Chollar Mine (provided you’re ok with tight spaces). It’s an intimate and interesting look at Virginia City’s history. This is something the whole family could take part in.
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7 Things You Will Love About Virginia City
If you’re an avid reader on this site, you’d probably be familiar with our “7 Things” series, where we list seven of our favorite features of a particular town or area. The other two…
If you’re an avid reader of this site, you’d probably be familiar with our “7 Things” series, where we list seven of our favorite features of a particular town or area. The other two in the series, Bridgeport and Lee Vining, are proving to be popular so we decided we would bring the series over to the Nevada section.
After discussing a few Nevada towns that are more than worthy of being featured, we decided to go with Virginia City as the first. There’s so much to love about this little town in the Nevada mountains but for the purpose of this article, we’re going to list seven of our personal favorites.
Virginia City became a bustling mining town in June of 1859 when land owner Henry Comstock discovered a rich deposit of silver ore. Comstock is also credited as being the first to discover gold in nearby Gold Canyon (just south of VC). From there, mansions, churches, saloons, hospitals, schools, and mining companies began popping up as the population exploded to around 25,000.
These days, active mining is long gone in VC. Locals have done a great job preserving the many historic buildings and mines contained here. Most offer guided tours. On top of that, the main strip is now filled with quirky shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels. Tourism is the boom here now. So sit back and relax while we present you with seven things you will love about Virginia City.
1) The Way It Was Museum
If there’s one attraction in VC that corners the market on local advertising, its the “Way It Was” Museum. Multiple signs dot the roads coming into town from either direction proudly disclaiming it a, “must-visit”. That’s hard to argue as this museum contains the most complete collection of Comstock material in the world.
It is open seasonally from 10:30 - 4:30 and costs a mere $4 per person. Visitors can purchase tickets at the museum itself or at the visitor center on the main strip. The self guided tour of the exhibits are perfect for families and history buffs alike.
2) Mackay Mansion Tour
Originally build in 1860 to be the headquarters of the Gould and Curry Mining Company and later purchased by one of VC’s “Silver Kings”, John Mackay, seasonal guided tours are offered at this hauntingly beautiful mansion and its grounds.
During the tour, you’ll see many historical artifacts such as mining equipment, original furnishings, Tiffany silver, and other historic anecdotes. Weddings and other special events may be held here as well. If you’re into conducting paranormal investigations, you can arrange one.
Information for guided tours is as follows:
Day Tours
Summer: Daily, 10am to 5pm
Winter: Weekends, 12pm tp 5pm (weather dependent)
Duration: 30 minutes
Cost: $7 per adult/$4 per child aged 5-12/free for children under 5
Night tours
Weekends: 5pm to 7pm (must call to reserve)
Cost: $10 per person
READ: “Mackay Mansion: How To Visit This Real-Life Haunted House”
3) Silver Terrace Cemetery
Life in Virginia City during its heyday wasn’t easy. Life expectancy was short due to dangerous working conditions in the mines, harsh weather, and other 1800’s era problems like disease, so the need for an official city cemetery became more and more apparent. Thus, the Silver Terrace Cemetery was born.
The cemetery is located on the north end of town on Old Cemetery road and is free to visit. It was common for the locals back then to flaunt their wealth and many did so both in life and death. Many beautiful hand carved headstones, many as tall or taller than a person, dot the hillside and are surrounded by iron fencing.
The majority of the grave sites date back prior to 1920 and a few are cracked and in a state of disrepair, but the site as a whole is beautiful and has amazing views of the mountains. You can visit daily from sunrise to sunset but a trespass warning is in effect outside of those hours and yes, it is taken seriously.
4) Chollar Mine Tour
Our personal favorite on this list, this guided tour of Chollar Mine will take you 400-feet into Mount Davidson through a dark and claustrophobic walk along the rail once used to transport silver ore and will end at a room carved out by miners in the 1800’s.
You’ll hear historical facts about both the mine and area by your knowledgable tour guide. You’ll also learn about how the miners communicated to those on the outside, how they depended on rats as both a food source and warning system, how they navigated their way out if their only light source (wax candles) were to go out, and more.
This tour operates daily (seasonally) between the hours of 10am and 4pm and is cash only at this time. Prices are as follows:
Adults: $15
Children 5-12: $10
Children under 5: Free
5) Nevada’s Oldest Hotel
The Gold Hill Hotel & Saloon is the oldest hotel in the state of Nevada. So old, it was operating as a hotel even before the state became part of the union. The exact year it opened is debated as either 1859 or 1861 but either way, Nevada didn't become a state until 1864 so that fact still holds.
It is located just one-mile south of Virginia City and is the only full service hotel in the immediate area. Original flooring, walls, and plaster still adorn the interior and you can even reserve rooms that are exactly as they were back in the 1800’s. It’s truly astonishing this property is still thriving all these years later.
This hotel also has quite the reputation among the paranormal crowd as it’s considered one of the most haunted places in the state. This is due to the fire that took place in 1869 at the Yellow Jacket Mine located just behind the property. This fire claimed the lives of 35 miners and is considered the worst mining accident in Nevada history.
6) Quirky Shops and Bars
The main strip through the center of town is a tourism mecca and thus, it’s jam packed with unique shops, bars, restaurants, and hotels. Many of the original buildings from the town’s early days have been re-purposed to house these.
Such examples include Virginia City Mercantile (pictured above), Silver Queen Hotel & Wedding Chapel, Forever Christmas Gift Shop, Bucket of Blood Saloon, Kettle Corn Depot, Primrose Lane Antiques, Grant’s General Store Museum, The Washoe Club, Silver Sadie’s Old Time Photos, and many more. There’s simply too many to list.
Strolling by these shops on the wooden boardwalks is part of the appeal of visiting Virginia City. Actors and Actresses in western attire typically walk around greeting people and thanking them for visiting. The people who live and work here truly care about their town and want you to feel as welcomed as possible.
7) That 100-Mile View
From the main strip and other points, you can look east towards the mountains at what locals refer to as the, “100-mile view”. This number is fudged a bit as it’s really about 90-miles but hey, who’s counting? Seriously though, the views of the mountains are outstanding and truly show how remote of a place Virginia City used to be (and still kind of is).
The church you see in the image above is Saint Mary in the Mountains. It is still an active church where services take place on Sundays. During the week, visitors are welcomed inside to tour the interior and museum but they do ask that you be respectful by remaining quiet and removing hats/sunglasses upon entering.
Too Many To List
It was hard narrowing all there is to do in VC into a 7 list article. We definitely listed some favorites but people will no doubt question why this or that wasn’t listed. Simply put, this list is a small sample of all there is to do here. So much so, we very well may do a sequel to this post.
Other favorite attractions include the V&T Railway, the various parades and special events that place throughout the year, Piper’s Opera House, Ponderosa Mine Tour, Virginia City Trolley Tour, The Pit Stop, VC Outlaws Comedy Show, Mark Twain Museum, and so much more.
Getting To VC
From Reno:
Head south on I-580
Take exit 25B
At the round-a-bout, take the NV-341 exit and follow this for about 24-miles. It’ll take you straight to VC
From Carson City:
Head east on US-50
Turn left on NV-341 and continue straight
You’ll pass through Silver City and Gold Hill before arriving at VC
From Las Vegas:
Go north on US-95 for about 350 miles
As you approach Schurz, turn left on US-95 ALT North towards Yerington
Continue on US-95 ALT North towards Silver Springs (turn right from Yerington)
Turn left on Ramsey Weeks cutoff
Turn left on US-50 and continue for 16-miles
Turn right on Six Mile Canyon road for about 8-miles before arriving at VC
READ ALSO: How To Visit Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
Conclusion
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