Located just 15 miles from Reno, Nevada, 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 1850's. Gold was found at the mouth of Gold Canyon about 7 miles south of the future town. Following the gold up the canyon an outcropping of gold in quartz was found. Virginia City expanded when Henry T.P. Comstock discovered that body of ore which 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 Abraham Lincoln. He needed the gold and silver to keep the Union solvent during the Civil War. On October 31, 1864 Lincoln made Nevada a state although it did not contain enough people to constitutionally authorize statehood. With the gold and silver came the building of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, which ran from Reno to Carson city to Virginia City.

The investments made in mining on the Comstock in the 1860's, 70's, and 80's. fueled the building of San Francisco. Wm. Ralston and Crocker, founders of the Bank of California made their money in Virginia City. Names like Leland Stanford, George Hears, John Mackay, Wm. Flood and many other made their fortunes in Comstock mining. The first elevator west of the Mississippi was placed in the glamorous International Hotel.

Today, many mansions such as the Castle, the Mackay, and the Savage stand as monuments to the opulence of life on the Comstock. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad runs again from Virginia City to Gold Hill. In the largest federally designated historical District in America, Virginia City, including Grandma's Fudge Factory, is maintained in its original condition. "C" Street, the main business street, is lined with 1860's and 70's buildings housing specialty shops of all kinds.