Strike Gold in Virginia City, Nevada

by Judy Zimmerman

It’s been more than 30 years ago since I last visited Virginia City, Nevada for the day–not enough time to even begin to scratch the surface of the history of what was once the wealthiest gold and silver mine in the world. So, last month I returned for the weekend to continue exploring some of Virginia City’s most compelling tales.

For starters, I struck gold by choosing the elegant Cobb Mansion Bed and Breakfast Inn, just two

blocks up the hill from the town’s main street. Although I’ve enjoyed many fine bed-and-

breakfast inns around the world, the Cobb Mansion is undoubtedly the best. Every word of the

former guests’ accolades is absolutely true. (See websites below)

My gracious hosts were Paul Yandre and Jeff Teague, longtime citizens of Virginia City who

recently restored the 1876 Victorian mansion. The craftsmanship is superb!

After a delicious breakfast of Eggs Florentine, hot muffins, and fresh fruit, Paul offered to drive

us around town in his 1948 Chrysler Town and Country convertible for an expert historical

introduction to the major sites that we later explored on foot.

o The Fourth Ward School Museum where you follow in the footsteps and sit in the same wooden desks of more than 1,000 students for which it was built in 1876. Exhibits include the history of Mark Twain’s life, alumni’s lives, and Comstock mining

o The Mackay Mansion, built in 1860 by George Hearst was just re-opened this May.

Tour highlights: original furnishings, mining artifacts and great historical anecdotes.

o Piper’s Opera House which hosted William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), John Philip Sousa,

Lotta Crabtree and Mark Twain. It still has some of the original scenery and exhibits of

posters, playbills, and photographs.

o A Concord Stagecoach ride pulled by four matched horses. It’s rough, fast, and

loads of fun.

o A 35-minute ride on the original Virginia and Truckee Railroad line

o Comstock’s Firemen’s Museum — still operating as a volunteer firefighting unit

o St. Mary’s in the Mountain Church reflective of the 19th. century, one of the town’s

most prominent historical structures

o St. Mary’s Art Center (originally a 36-room hospital) that today offers art instruction and

lodging

o Silver Terrace Cemetery holds over 6,000 burials of which fewer than 1,300 are marked.

o Mark Twain Museum – where his desks, chair, books and most of the original

furnishings and equipment of his press room are on display

IF YOU GO

o www.cobbmansioninn.com

o www.tripadviser.com

o www.VisitVirginiaCityNV.com or call 800-718-7587

July 30, 2010   Posted in: United States NorthWest