Images of America: Virginia City and The Big Bonanza by Ronald M. James and Susan A. James

Virginia City, Hevada

In Virginia City and its Comstock Lode, miners worked one of the richest depostits of gold and silver ever found. Many places claim that title, but the precious metals retrieved between 1859 and 1880, with an equivalent value today in the billions of dollars, played an unprecedented role in the industrial history. With cutting-edge technology, Comstock engineers shaped mining throughout the world for the next 50 years. Virginia City's wealth propelled several people to Congress and others into the nation's highest society. At the same time, those who settled in the mining district built a civilized, sophisticated place. Drawing on former glories, the popular television series Bonanza perpetuated the legend, capturing international audiences with 14 seasons of programs. As one of the nation's largest historic landmarks, the Comstock continues to welcome millions of visitors.

Historians Ronald and Susan James have written about the history of Nevada for 30 years. Ronald, author of The Roar and the Silence: A History of Virginia City and the Comstock Lode (1998), is Nevada's state historic preservation officer. Susan serves as the scholar-in-residence for Virginia City's Fourth Ward School Museum. The museum and the Comstock Historic Destrict Commission have provided many images of Virginia City's Fourth Ward School Museum. The museum and the Comstock Historic Destrict Commission have provided many images of Virginia City that have never been published.

The Images of America series celebrates the history of  America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.