Virginia City’s forgotten Ghost Towns

Just what the Dr. ordered: a good friend, ghost towns and a great meal and drink!

Honey Badger’s new engine needs to be broken in before her first big trip, so I met Nevada Expeditions in Virginia City. We visited some well-known sites, but also little-known ghost towns and cemeteries.

Virginia City

VC is always fun to drive around or wander the old boardwalk sidewalks. There must be a small inversion, it was warmer in the Comstock than in Carson City.

According to local lore, a miner wanted a house with many windows. He built a beautiful white house with windows on all sides. The man had made at least one enemy in his time in Virginia City. Another miner purchased the adjacent lot and moved a house to the property, situating it on the boundary. The home was next to the white house… right next to the white house, blocking any light or airflow.

The Chollar Mine is always a fun tour. Learn about my visit and the history of the Chollar Mine.

Five Mile House

During the Silver Rush, roads were very difficult and time-consuming to construct, especially in mountainous areas around the Comstock Lode. Nevada Territory lacked the resources to build and maintain the infrastructure. Between 1861 and 1864, Nevada awarded toll road franchises to individuals or groups who bid to construct roads. In return for their investment and continued maintenance, travelers compensated the owners with tolls.

On November 29, 1861, the Nevada Territorial Legislature granted a franchise to Geiger and Co. to construct a toll road linking Truckee Meadows to Virginia City. The route was dangerous but the most direct route linking Reno to Virginia City and the Comstock Lode. Davison M. Geiger and John H. Tilton began road construction in 1862. The road, along with several toll stations, was opened for commerce in 1863.

Five Mile House sat at the top of the grade, earning it the alternate name Summit House. Teamsters enjoyed hanging out at the station. The station is gone but you can see the old toll road.

Lousetown

North of Virginia City was another station stop on the Virginia City to Stone & Gates crossing Lousetown. A small town grew around the station, serving travelers, including repair shops for wagons. Lousetown became known for a racetrack, crooked gambling and boxing fights that were illegal in Virginia City.

As Geiger Grade grew in popularity, Lousetown declined. Lousetown was not named for an infestation of lice but a plat on the name Louisa Town. Portions of the old toll road and a foundation remain.

Cider House

Originally, we thought of eating at Cafe del Rio, but it is closed early in the week. Oh darn, I guess we need another trip!

Thankfully, our other favorite was open Cider House. It recently moved to C Street into Canvas Cafe. The owners are the same and the food is as delicious as ever. I ordered a steak salad with blue cheese. The owner, Dustin, talked us into the key lime pie, which was delicious! I only ate the filling and topping, and avoided the yummy gluten-packed crust, so that counts as healthy, right?

Delta Saloon

The Delta Saloon reopened in 2019 after the explosion damaged the historic building. They recently opened a steakhouse, so we stopped in for a drink. They make a killer old-fashioned! The Delta Saloon looks amazing and the famous Suicide Table is back. I will have to go back one night to try the new steakhouse.

American City & West Comstock

After lunch, we headed down the hill to the old site of American City and Comstock. At one point, American City thought it would be the big city and even the state capitol of Nevada. The town grew to include hotels, stores and a post office, which opened in 1866.

In the 1920s, a new mill brought life back to the flat, and the small town of Comstock developed. Comstock had a post office from 1923 to 1927, not long after the mill closed.

Austin found a map of a townsite of Rock Island at that same location. I love finding ECV markers and there were two!

Old Catholic Cemetery

Having a little more sunlight, we decided to try and find the Old Catholic Cemetery. It took a few tries but was totally worth it! There were so many old graves that we will have to go back and survey the site better.

Follow me on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•