Virginia City is a tiny, tiny City. The main street (“C”
Street) is only about a mile long, plus or minus a few feet. By
today’s standards, it would be considered a “hamlet”.
But this small city has made a huge impact, not only in Nevada,
California or for that matter, the West Coast. It has made an
impact on the entire world. To back up what I say, you can ask
anyone in Tokyo, Japan, if they’ve ever seen re-runs of Bonanza
and they will invariably tell you “Ah-so! Veejiniaaa siteee”.
OK. Enough about the size of my newly-adopted home. (I was ambushed
by Virginia City from Gotham). Now, down to the real nitty-gritty.
I am certain that most of you heard about the Gold Rush of 1850.
Well, Gold Hill, NV, is where one of the largest, if not THE largest,
vein of silver still resides (not as much gold, though). And so,
to accommodate the influx of miners, their families, the painted
ladies and then the millionaires, The Gold Hill Hotel evolved
from a small lodging into what it is today. It sits directly in
front of the Yellow Jacket Mine. (All of this is background information
so you’ll know where to go and get YOUR dose of elegance).
In the present era, every Tuesday evening, there are lectures
given by varied people on diversified topics and not all are about
the wild, wild west either. For a small charge of $15.00, you
get a terrific buffet dinner AND the lecture. If you want to attend
just the lecture, the charge is a mere $5.00. It just so happens
that this past Tuesday, the lecture was, of all things, about
GOLD HILL. Gold Hill is not just the hotel; the entire area is
known as Gold Hill. It was a bustling place of about 20,000 people,
but you can learn all about the historic past in Greg MacMaster’s
book. You can take lodgings at the hotel, browse their extensive
book store or just meander through the very haunted rooms upstairs
(provided there are no sleeping guests in them).
And now, on to Virginia City, up over The Divide (not that far
away – just sounds formidable) about 5 minutes, and on to
Piper’s Opera House (on “B” Street). It is a historic
landmark, as is all of Virginia City. The Opera House is a must
see, even though restoration is in progress. You can well imagine
and see, the opulence and grandeur of the past. It appears to
be small because of the height of the ceilings; but trust me,
it can accommodate comfortably, about 300 people. Did so at the
Governor’s Ball last October.
Naturally, I am about to segue into a performance of THE ROSE
OF SHARON at Piper’s Opera House, August 27 and 28 and September
3 and 4, by The Gold Hill Theatre Troupe. (call for reservations
775-847-0111). The Troupe rivals any Off Broadway.
Now, if your desires stir you to enjoy a performance al fresco
(because you just hate dressing up), Virginia City and Gold Hill
can accommodate you in that regard. On many given nights in the
hot, steamy month of August, the Troupe has an event called “SHAKESPEARE
ON THE ROCKS” and will proudly present “The Taming of
the Shrew”. I cannot think of a much better way to enjoy
a cool performance, in a beautiful gazebo in the cool of the evening
(Gold Hill and Virginia City are both about 10 degrees cooler
than either Carson City or Reno). Again, reservations are required.
There is only one requirement, though when you visit or stroll
through Virginia City early in the morning, while you are on vacation
and Just, JUST, have to drink in EVERYTHING in one day –
please don’t ask the locals “WHEN DOES THE TOWN OPEN?”
It’s the “Comstock”! To better understand the true
meaning of the term “Comstock Time”, you have to stop
by the Red Dog Saloon (yes, it is closed, and yes, it is for sale),
the sign in the front window will explain it all (if it’s
still there. It was as of this writing).
And, in closing, may I remind you that as you walk the Boardwalk
and into many of these fine establishments, let’s say, The
Washoe Club, for instance, that John Mackay (one of the Bonanza
Kings) and Mark Twain (ya, ya, ya – Huck Finn) once sat there
snifting brandy and discussing world affairs.
Now, who says there is nothing to do in Virginia City? This is
only a beginning of my “written” tour of VC and it’s
surroundings. Until my next chapter and verse, enjoy.
Grace
Dean has been afflicted since birth with a rare condition called "Joie
de Vivre". To that end, she has travelled almost around the world
in search of the joys of life. She attended a private school on the
East Coast and received a very good education; but found that was
not enough - and promptly decided to enroll in the School of Life
and is mid-way toward her graduation. In her many travels, Grace came
upon a mountain-top city called "Virginia City", Nevada
(not Montana) and promptly fell in love. Waving goodbye to her family
and friends, she drove cross-country to call this Magical City in
the shadow of Mt. Davidson (originally called Sun Mountain) HOME.
To this end, she will try her utmost to bring you the best attributes
of this unique, indescribably beautiful city, caught between yester-year
and the present.