[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 3, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S6023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF VIRGINIA CITY, NV

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of a very historic 
event--this Saturday marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of 
Virginia City, NV. Many Americans know Virginia City from the old TV 
show ``Bonanza,'' but this city also played an extremely important role 
in the history of the United States in the second half of the 19th 
century.
  Virginia City's roots as a mining town began in 1850 as the '49ers 
traveled through on their way to California. Men often stopped in this 
area to practice their gold-mining skills but never found much of value 
until 1859 when Peter O'Riley and Patrick McLaughlin found some gold in 
the dirt. Henry Comstock passed by shortly after and talked his way 
into a share of what would later be named after him: the Comstock Lode. 
For several months, they mined the earth, tossing aside buckets full of 
``blue stuff'' that got in the way of only a small amount of gold. Out 
of curiosity, they sent away a sample of this blue stuff to be tested, 
and it turned out to be made up of three-fourths silver ore. News 
spread quickly, and by the following spring, 10,000 men had arrived 
hoping to make their fortune.
  This silver lode proved more difficult to mine than the gold in 
California, and mines collapsed before they could reach much of the 
ore. American ingenuity persevered, however, and a whole list of new 
technologies were developed that would be used in mines across the 
country. In no time, the ground below Virginia City was crisscrossed 
with mines, and the city itself was a boom town full of boarding houses 
and saloons. The official value of all the gold and silver taken out of 
the Comstock between 1859 and 1882 is over $300 million. These riches 
helped Nevada in its effort to become an independent territory and then 
its own State in 1864.
  Virginia City also produced some of America's great historical 
figures. George Hearst made his fortune in Nevada before founding the 
newspaper empire he became famous for, and Samuel Clemens first used 
the name ``Mark Twain'' while writing for the local paper, the 
Territorial Enterprise.
  Today, Virginia City has a population of less than a tenth of what it 
had at its peak in the 1870s. However, it remains a vibrant community 
and an outstanding monument to the Wild West. The millions of tourists 
who visit Virginia City each year can stroll the wooden sidewalks, 
explore old mines, pan for gold, and watch the annual international 
camel and ostrich races. I am happy I will be able to celebrate this 
historic anniversary in Virginia City, and I am proud to recognize the 
city's achievements today.

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