Virginia City, Nevada

Everything Virginia City is known for

1 song mention this city 1 artist from here

RoadyGoat plays music like this when you drive through Virginia City. It's free on iPhone, and full songs play through Apple Music.

Music in Virginia City

Songs About Virginia City

Darcy Farrow

Nanci Griffith

50%

"They sing of her beautyin Virginia City too"

Artists From Virginia City

David John and the Comstock Cowboys

country

History of Virginia City

The Biggest Little City RoadyGoat

Reno wears its motto in lights: 'The Biggest Little City in the World,' strung across the famous Virginia Street arch (first raised in 1926, with the slogan added in 1929). For decades that little city ran on heartbreak — thanks to Nevada's loose residency law, by 1931 you could establish residency and get a divorce in just six weeks, and Reno became the divorce capital of the world, with Hollywood stars and socialites waiting out their six weeks on local 'divorce ranches.' Today the desert town has reinvented itself: the Truckee River tumbles right through a revitalized downtown with a whitewater park, and Reno is the launch pad for Burning Man, the temporary art city that rises in the Black Rock Desert to the north each summer. Casinos, mountains, river, and a wide-open high-desert sky — Reno still packs a lot into not much.

17.5 mi away

Reno, NV RoadyGoat

Reno, Nevada, a city nestled at 4,500 feet where the sagebrush scrub meets the towering Sierra Nevada, has a history as colorful as its desert sunsets. Founded in 1868 and named for Civil War General Jesse Reno, its reputation was cemented by more than just stunning vistas and the Truckee River, home to the once-endangered Lahontan cutthroat trout. The city gained notoriety as a destination for those seeking swift divorces, a social cachet that attracted a particular kind of visitor. But Reno’s story isn't just about quickie divorces. It's also a place where legends were made and broken.

17.5 mi away

The Comstock Lode: Silver That Saved the Union

1859

The Comstock Lode was the first major silver deposit discovered in the United States, producing over $400 million in silver and gold that helped finance the Union during the Civil War.

The Virginia and Truckee Railroad

1869

The V&T Railroad connected Virginia City's mines to the mills and the transcontinental railroad.

Reno: The Divorce Capital of America

1906

Reno became the nation's divorce capital due to Nevada's short residency requirements.

17.5 mi away

Everything Near Virginia City

31 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.

Virginia City Historic District (Virginia City, Nevada) · Scraped Hmdb
Hold onto your hat, because this unassuming landscape was once the heart of a silver rush that rivaled the California Gold Rush! Virginia City exploded onto the scene after the Comstock Lode was discovered in 1859.…
Old Washoe Club · Scraped Hmdb
Prepare to be spooked! The Old Washoe Club in Virginia City is rumored to be one of Nevada's most haunted buildings. Built in 1875, it quickly became a hub for the town's elite, housing a saloon, meeting rooms, and even…
The Comstock Lode: Silver That Saved the Union · 0.1 mi · Historical
The Comstock Lode was the first major silver deposit discovered in the United States, producing over $400 million in silver and gold that helped finance the Union during the Civil War.
Piper's Opera House · 0.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here for a second; this is Piper's Opera House, and it's seen some things. Think of it as Nevada's version of Broadway back in the day. John Piper built the first opera house here in 1863. It burned down in…
The Virginia and Truckee Railroad · 0.1 mi · Historical Marker
The V&T Railroad connected Virginia City's mines to the mills and the transcontinental railroad.
McCarthy House (Virginia City, Nevada) · 0.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Look closely, because this little house is a survivor! The McCarthy House is a rare glimpse into Virginia City *before* the Great Fire. Built in 1875, this one-and-a-half story house with its simple shiplap siding was…
King–McBride Mansion · 0.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This ornate mansion is a testament to Virginia City's fiery spirit, rising from ashes to become a symbol of wealth and resilience. Built shortly after the devastating Great Fire of 1875, the King–McBride Mansion was…
Chollar Mansion · 0.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This isn't just another pretty house; it's a monument to the Comstock Lode's incredible wealth. Built between 1862 and 1864, the Chollar Mansion belonged to William “Billy” Chollar, a miner who struck it rich. His…
Bowers Mansion · 10.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine building a mansion so grand, it became a symbol of Nevada's silver rush dreams. That's Bowers Mansion. In 1863, Lemuel 'Sandy' Bowers and his wife, Eilley Orrum Bowers, completed their opulent home using riches…
The Glenbrook · 10.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
All aboard! This area was once a vital hub for a narrow-gauge steam locomotive that hauled lumber around Lake Tahoe, fueling the region's booming timber industry.The Glenbrook, a 2-6-0 Mogul type locomotive, was built…
Nevada State Prison · 11.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This prison operated for 150 years, and inmates once mined silver and produced license plates here. Nevada State Prison opened in 1862, not long after Nevada became a territory. Initially, prisoners were leased out to…
Carson City station · 11.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Step back in time at this historic railroad depot, a vital link in the Virginia & Truckee Railroad that shaped Nevada's destiny. This is the Carson City station. Following the discovery of the Comstock Lode mine in…

Show all 31 nearby places

Carson City Mint · 11.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Hold on tight, because this unassuming building once churned out millions of dollars in silver and gold, fueling the Wild West boom! The Carson City Mint, established in 1863, didn't actually start striking coins until…
Orion Clemens House · 11.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Did you know Mark Twain lived here while honing his legendary wit? This is the Orion Clemens House, where Twain resided with his brother Orion in Carson City. Orion, a lawyer, built this house in 1862 and served as the…
Dat So La Lee House · 11.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here for a minute; you're about to discover the story of a true Nevada artist. This unassuming house was once home to Dat So La Lee, a Washoe basket weaver whose work is now celebrated worldwide. Born around…
St. Charles-Muller's Hotel · 12.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine stagecoaches clattering up to this very spot – this is the St. Charles-Muller's Hotel, built way back in 1862. Originally known as the St. Charles Hotel, it quickly became a vital stop, even earning the nickname…
Sears–Ferris House · 12.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever ridden a Ferris wheel? You're near a place that helped make it happen!This is the Sears–Ferris House, built around 1863 by Gregory Sears, a Carson City businessman. In 1868, George Washington Gale Ferris Sr.,…
Virginia and Truckee Railway Locomotive No. 27 · 12.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This isn't just any old train; it's a piece of the legendary Virginia & Truckee Railroad, a vital artery for the Comstock Lode's silver boom!This is Virginia & Truckee Railroad Locomotive No. 27. It's a 4-6-0…
Stewart Indian School · 14.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This is where generations of Native American children were taken from their families. From 1890 to 1980, the Stewart Indian School operated here as an off-reservation boarding school. The U.S. government's policy at the…
Washoe County Courthouse · 17.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This courthouse wasn't just about justice; it was a gateway to freedom… from marriage! During the first half of the 1900s, Nevada became *the* place to get a divorce. Divorce laws were much stricter elsewhere, but…
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts · 17.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Believe it or not, that shimmering gold dome ahead isn't a misplaced alien spaceship, but a theater with a story! Back in 1967, Reno was looking to make a statement. They commissioned an architectural firm from Oklahoma…
Riverside Hotel (Reno, Nevada) · 17.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Reno began right here in 1859, at the site of this former hotel and casino. Myron Lake built a bridge and established a ranch and waystation to serve travelers crossing the Truckee River. It quickly became a popular…
Thunderbird Lodge (Lake Tahoe, Nevada) · 17.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over and get ready to step back in time! This isn't just a pretty view; it's the site of the Thunderbird Lodge, a millionaire's playground built to indulge some pretty wild whims. Millionaire George Whittell Jr.…
Virginia Street Bridge · 17.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
You're looking at a place that was once home to Reno's iconic Virginia Street Bridge, a vital crossing right in the heart of downtown. For decades, this double-arch concrete bridge carried traffic across the Truckee…
Reno, NV · 17.3 mi · Local history
Reno's identity, long tied to its gambling history and high-desert landscape, has been shifting in recent years. The tech industry's expansion into the region has brought new energy and investment, sparking both…
El Cortez (Reno) · 17.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Step back into the glamorous Art Deco era at the El Cortez, a survivor of Reno's gambling boom. Built in 1931 by real estate investor Abe Zetoony, the El Cortez was designed by the Reno architectural firm George A.…
Reno: The Divorce Capital of America · 17.5 mi · Historical Marker
Reno became the nation's divorce capital due to Nevada's short residency requirements.
The Biggest Little City · 17.5 mi
Reno wears its motto in lights: 'The Biggest Little City in the World,' strung across the famous Virginia Street arch (first raised in 1926, with the slogan added in 1929). For decades that little city ran on heartbreak…
Reno, NV · 17.5 mi
Reno, Nevada, a city nestled at 4,500 feet where the sagebrush scrub meets the towering Sierra Nevada, has a history as colorful as its desert sunsets. Founded in 1868 and named for Civil War General Jesse Reno, its…
Reno station (Nevada–California–Oregon Railway) · 17.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming building holds a secret: it’s a survivor from the days of big dreams and broken rails. Built in 1910, this depot was the Reno hub for the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway, or NCO. The NCO aimed to…
Nevada-California-Oregon Railway Locomotive House and Machine Shop · 17.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Right here, in Reno, you're standing near a piece of a railway dream that stretched all the way to Oregon. This is where the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway, or NCO, once maintained its locomotives. In 1880, the Nevada…

Explore Virginia City on the Map

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Virginia City, Nevada

Music in Virginia City

Songs About Virginia City

Artists From Virginia City

History of Virginia City

The Biggest Little City RoadyGoat

Reno, NV RoadyGoat

The Comstock Lode: Silver That Saved the Union

The Virginia and Truckee Railroad

Reno: The Divorce Capital of America

Everything Near Virginia City

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