Odds and ends

Today I'm posting the last of the pictures from Virginia City and the train ride on the Virginia Truckee Railroad. Virginia City at its peak had approximately 25,000 people which made it a large sized city for its time. Current population 890. Here's the odds and ends pictures.

The Territorial Enterprise had just moved to their current location before the fire and the presses in the basement were saved.

This is the John Mackay mansion. He was one of the four partners known as the Bonanza Kings. (click to read their story)

The view from 'C' street.

And of course a chance to pan for gold.

The consolidated mine was actually two mines with a combined shaft.

The Comstock gold mill.

A stagecoach that actually ran in the late 1800's.

Hard to see with the reflection, but that is one enormous geode.

On the way home, past the Gold Hill depot.

Down below is the Gold Hill cemetery.

These are wild free range horses.

We stopped so they could admire us.

This is one of three herds we saw on the way up and back.

That completes my visit to Virginia City, next stop will be Laws California and another ghost town. Before I leave there will be a laundry day and the usual getting ready to travel chores. Still busy enjoying the good life.

Visiting Twain

There are many museums in Virginia City, but the one the drew my attention was the Mark Twain Museum (go figure). Some of what I saw.

The side of the Territorial Enterprise. This is where Samuel Clements started his writing career and first used the pen mane Mark Twain.

In case you didn't believe me.

About the museum.

The desk and chair he used.

Probably should of had a smaller picture for his desk.

This is the basement museum of the Territorial Enterprise. Most of the equipment was here during Mark Twain's time. 

The main press.

The cases that held the type which was selected by the person composing the page. All original.

Another press.

And another one.

Notice the shaft across the ceiling, belts were attached to the various wheels to power the presses.

Not sure why this was here, it really didn't fit.

This was the first switchboard installed in Nevada.

The printing was all done in the basement. The upper floors housed the editorial staff and the business office. The basement was a real step back in time.

I have decide that my departure date will be next Monday as I start heading for the Grand Canyon. I have a couple of stops to make on the way to ensure that I continue to enjoy the good life.

A walk through Virginia City

We arrived in Virginia City on 'F' street which is four blocks below 'C' street which is where the main action is and when I say below I mean below. Virginia City is built on the side of a mountain and the streets are tiered up the hill to the point that the roofs of one street are level with the street above. Here is what I saw walking the streets.

Sign on the depot.

The old depot being restored.

Climbing the hill to 'C' street.

St Mary's of the Mountains Catholic Church.

The oldest Catholic Church in Nevada.

'C' street

The buildings are historic.

Their uses have been converted

and they are now designed to separate the tourists from their money.

I love that fact that the town is preserved, it didn't thrill me that it's been converted to a tourist trap.

The firehouse.

More old.

Virginia City Merchantile is proud of the fact that nothing happened their in 1897.

More of 'C' street.

Note the many, many bikes on the street. This seems to be a destination for bikers.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that every other building seems to be a bar.

This is the building of the Territorial Enterprise newspaper. We'll explore the museum tomorrow.

Buggy rides, stagecoach rides, train rides, boutiques, restaurants, bars and a few museums is what makes up Virginia City today. The history is there, but you have to dig for it.

Today we are making plans for the next jump, but we will not leave here until closer to the weekend. More picture of me enjoying the good life tomorrow.