I really enjoyed spending a day in this fun little old mining town, just about an hour northeast of Lake Tahoe. For all of my Arizona readers, you’ll probably understand when I say it sort of reminded me of Tombstone, which I have visited several times. We mostly just walked up and down the main street (C Street) and stopped in a few shops to look around. And, of course, I took lots of pictures.

The buildings have a lot of historic charm, and it was fun thinking about what the place must’ve been like in its glory days–during it’s mining boom back in the mid-to-late 1800’s. Which, by the way, is something you can do in this museum all about, “The Way it Was.”

Nowadays, they say it’s haunted–which was also fun to think about–but, unfortunately, the spirits must’ve been sleeping because we didn’t feel or see a thing–unless this sheet in the window is something?! And, do you think we could still get a room for $1? If not, that’s false advertisement, right?

The La Fayette Market, like many local businesses, is permanently closed. Anyone interested in a new business opportunity in a very cute historic place?

Legend has it that Bucket of Blood Saloon got its name from so many bar fights ending in stabbings–and the bloody water in the mop buckets afterwards. Gross.

Piper’s Opera House has a rich history, which you can read about if you click here. They still host performing arts shows, as well as serve as a wedding and event venue. It’s quite a cute place–and supposedly even cuter on the inside! (Sorry, we didn’t go inside, so I don’t have pictures of that.)

We also did not go inside the Sawdust Corner Steak House, but it smelled SO mouthwateringly good when we walked by!

I really enjoyed seeing all the little shops and their window displays.

We were especially compelled by this shop’s decor, so we went inside and browsed around. And, of course it made me wonder if I could mount a swing like this in the van…?

And then, we saw there was a Mark Twain Museum. I remember visiting his boyhood home in Hannibal, Missouri–I think my sister took me in the late 1980’s or something. But, I was very curious what Twain’s connection to Virginia City Nevada was, and it turns out, he was a writer and reporter there–after an unsuccessful mining endeavor. Who knew?!

We walked past this little horsey, and it really took me back to my childhood, when there was one of these at our local IGA. I remember sitting on it while I waited for my mother to get her groceries. And sometimes, if I gave my best sad-puppy-dog-eyes to strangers, they’d put a quarter in for me to take a ride.

The Old Red Garter was a very interesting looking building, and we were compelled to go inside and look around, even though western-wear is not exactly our style. I’ve always thought it would be fun to own a pair of cute red cowboy boots like Reba McEntire!

The Old Washoe Club was a fun pit-stop for us, and I’d definitely recommend you visit if you’re in VC. It has a reputation for being a “haunted spot,” so much so that it was featured on this show called, “Ghost Adventures.” Spoiler alert, there is a crypt inside. You can see for yourself for only $3–or you can buy a drink at the bar and get in for free!

There is a very unique spiral staircase inside–featured in Ripley’s Believe-it-or-Not as being the longest of its kind without a supporting pole. You aren’t allowed to walk on it (I’m guessing it is no longer safe–if it ever was!), but you can take pictures.

What a cool old post office–established in 1859–and still open for business!

The Tahoe House Hotel was opened in 1859, and re-opened in 2020! So, yes, you can rent a room there if you want to (probably not for $1), or just go inside and have a drink at the bar.

I liked walking on these old boardwalk sidewalks–although my clomp-clomping sort of sounded like a horse! Sometimes I wish I was more graceful.

The old firehouse looks cool! We heard about some pretty bad fires in the late 1800s, so the firefighters were put to work. I am always thankful for local heroes!

Today, the Territorial Enterprise Building houses the Mark Twain Museum, and the Virginia City Vault is a gift shop.

This is the Storey County Courthouse, which is the oldest (1876) continuously operating courthouse in Nevada.

The Miner’s Union Hall was a significant gathering and meeting place for Miners, where they would negotiate fair wages and conditions. It is permanently closed. So, if you’re a small business on the hunt for a great location….

St. Marys in the Mountains is the oldest active Catholic church in Nevada. We went inside, where they have a museum with interesting ancient artifacts and ephemera, as well as a small gift shop.

It has a beautiful sanctuary, featuring beams made from local redwood trees and stunning stained glass windows.

Our last stop for the day was the local cemetery–a sacred burial grounds where many Virginia City souls were laid to rest.

I asked Dan to take this next picture because neither of us had ever seen someone walking goats on a leash before. Have you?

Most of the headstones were from the mid-to-late 1800s, but there were some more modern ones–including one we saw from 2003!

I thought the view from the cemetery looking towards St. Mary’s on the Mountain was especially picturesque.

Oh, and one more thing…

If you happen to be going to Virginia City, I would highly recommend you stop at the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory.

And please pardon our disheveled appearances, we hadn’t showered in a couple days. #vanlife 😉

We got a hand-dipped ice cream bar rolled in homemade peanut brittle. It was ahhh-mazing!!! We also bought some treats for the road–which we rationed out over the next few days like good boys and girls. 🙂

Bye for now!

XO,

Joanna