Gold Hill, Nevada

This view looks to the west over the mining town of Gold Hill, just a couple of miles south of Virginia City. The year is 1867 or '68, and the Big Bonanza is in full swing. In another year or two, in 1869, the Virginia and Truckee Railroad will come to town, gouging its right-of-way out of the big hill in the upper center of the photo. It looks like work may have already started, judging from the scar that can be seen cut into the hill.

The Crown Point Trestle crossed the Crown Point Ravine in Gold Hill. It was finished in November 1869, and stayed up until 1936. Here a train pulled by Engine #11, The Reno, pauses on the trestle on its way to Carson City for a portrait.

The Liberty Fire House in Gold Hill was located along Main Street, near the Virginia and Truckee Railroad tracks. It was built during the era of the Big Bonanza, but by the time of this picture in the 1930s, it was on its last legs with a noticeable lean. It was demolished later in the 20th century. The bell tower was preserved and was incorporated into a small monument on the site of the old fire house. It is still there today.

A view of the Yellowjacket Mine dump in Gold Hill in the 1930s.

The Miner's Union Hall in Gold Hill used to stand on Main Street, right by the V&T Railroad tracks. You can see the tracks in the foreground. The building was very run down by this point; it was demolished soon after.

An approximate date on this photo was obtained by searching hsitorical newspaper articles for D.S. Gallatan which is shown in the photo to be moving in to the space downstairs. Articles reveal that Gallatan left his hardware business partnership with O.T. Barber in September, 1873, and opened his own store shortly afterward.