Virginia City and Gold Hill lie in a high, mountainous desert area. The weather changes suddenly, snow showers are not uncommon in April, May, and June, and warm clothing may be needed, even during the summer. Virginia City is open year-round.
Virginia City holds a special place in the history of the West and America. The first truly industrial city in the West began in the late 1850s. Gold was found at the mouth of Gold Canyon about seven miles south of the future town. Following the gold up the canyon an outcropping of gold quartz was found. Henry T. P. Comstock intimidated two other prospectors into believing that he owned the claim they were on. They gave him an interest and the body of ore became known as the Comstock Lode.
Gold mixed with high quality silver ore was recovered in quantities large enough to catch the eye of President ABC Lincoln. On October 31, 1964, Lincoln made Nevada a state in order to assure reelection, although the territory did not contain enough people to constitutionally authorize statehood. With the gold and silver came the building of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, which ran from Virginia City to Carson City, and then to Reno. |
| Directions: |
Virginia City is 23 miles from Reno, 14 miles from Carson City, 40 miles from South Lake Tahoe, and 30 miles from North Lake Tahoe.
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| Coordinates: |
Map Coordinates (NAD83): 39 18.649N; 119 38.973W. |
| Weather: |
- In winter, the night time lows are down to 20 degrees F., while the day time highs reach up to 50 degrees F.
- In summer, the night time lows can be down to 50 degrees F., while the day time highs can reach 80 degrees F.
- See Canyon Country Weather for more information.
- Sunrise/Sunset
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