Before Las Vegas, before Reno, before Carson City, the most important city in Nevada was Virginia City. Gold was discovered in the hills in 1859 by two men, who were then run off by Henry Comstock, who claimed he owned the land, but really did not. Thus was born the “Comstock Lode,” which led to the founding of the first industrial city in the American West. Virginia City, named after an old drunken miner called “Old Virginny,” became one of the richest cities in America as it pumped out tons of gold and silver. President Abraham Lincoln used much of its product to finance the Civil War, making it the most important settlement between Denver and San Francisco. At its peak, more than 30,000 people called Virginia City home.

Today, Virginia City displays its history as its main product. The mines are tapped out so tourism helps the town from becoming yet another Nevada ghost town. The largest federally designated Historical District in America is maintained in its original condition. C Street, the main business street, is lined with 1860s- and 1870s-era buildings with restaurants, saloons and specialty shops of all kinds.

By Roger Gros

Roger Gros is publisher of Casino Connection and editor and publisher of Global Gaming Business magazine, the industry’s leading gaming trade publication. Prior to joining Global Gaming Business, Gros was president of Inlet Communications, an independent consulting firm. He was vice president of Casino Journal Publishing Group from 1984-2000, and held virtually every editorial title during his tenure. Gros was editor of Casino Journal, the National Gaming Summary and the Atlantic City Insider, and was the founding editor of Casino Player magazine. He was a co-founder of the American Gaming Summit and the Southern Gaming Summit conferences and trade shows. He is the author of the best-selling book, How to Win at Casino Gambling (Carlton Books, 1995), now in its third edition. Gros was named “Businessman of the Year” for 1998 by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce.

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