Virginia City along with Nevada City one mile away was the site of the richest gold strike in the Rocky Mountains. In total, the area is estimated to have produced over 100 million dollars. Virginia City was founded in 1863 and quickly became crowded with gold seekers. At its peak the population was 10,000. The town was particularly lawless which caused the formation of a vigilante group to help preserve order. In 1865 the state’s capitol was moved from Bannock to Virginia City . The town and surrounding area were designated a National Historical Landmark in 1961. While plenty of tourists visit, the population in 2020 was only 219. Like so many other former mining towns in the West, Virginia City MT has many surviving buildings. Some of the most interesting of those 100+ sites are:
Content’s Corner
When the legislature moved in 1865, it took up residence on the second floor of Content’s Corner with Siegel Clothing on the first. The first photo is dated 1867 and the third and fourth are undated.
Vigilante Headquarters and Storage.
The first photo is undated.
Dance and Stuart Mercantile Building.
The first photo is undated and the second shows the replica built in 1950s.
Gilbert Brewery
The Gilbert Brewery was founded in 1863, the same year as the town! Several additions were made to the building, but it still has its 1880s appearance and the original equipment is still in place. The site is now home to the Brewery Follies, a comedy cabaret. The first photo is dated ca. 1910.
Gilbert Home.
The Brewery’s owner is seen here with family and friends in this photo dated 1892.
Robbers Roost
Robbers Roost was a stage stop built in 1866, but, alas, no robbers ever roosted there. The first photo is dated 1890s.
Wells Fargo Office
The first photo is dated ca. 1875.
