First Presbyterian Church

Historical marker location:
196 South C Street, Virginia City, Nevada
( Marker is on South C Street (Nevada Route 341), on the left when traveling north.)

Dedicated Jan. 1, 1867

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Nevada was once part of the Wild West: Nevada was once part of the Wild West, with famous outlaws such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid operating in the state.
Storey County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Nevada. It was established in 1861 and is one of Nevada's original nine counties. The county was named after Captain Edward Farris Storey, a member of the First Nevada Cavalry during the American Civil War.

The history of Storey County revolves around its mines, particularly the Comstock Lode, which was the first major silver discovery in the United States. The Comstock Lode was discovered in 1859 and quickly attracted thousands of miners to the area. The boomtown of Virginia City, located within Storey County, became the center of the mining activity and the largest city in Nevada during the late 19th century.

During its peak, Storey County experienced rapid growth and became known for its wild and rough reputation. The wealth generated from the Comstock Lode led to significant investments in infrastructure, including grand Victorian-style buildings, theaters, and a railroad. However, the mining boom declined in the late 1870s, leading to a period of economic decline and population loss for Storey County.

In the late 20th century, Storey County experienced a revival with the development of the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center. The industrial center became home to several large technology and manufacturing companies, including Tesla's Gigafactory. Today, Storey County has a mix of historic sites from its mining days and contemporary industrial developments, making it a unique combination of the past and present.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Storey County, Nevada.

  • 1861: Storey County was established on November 29 as a result of the Nevada Territorial Legislature's efforts to accommodate the booming Comstock Lode mining district.
  • 1862: The Virginia City was founded, becoming the county seat and principal community in Storey County.
  • 1864: The Nevada State Legislature admitted Nevada to the Union, making it the 36th state.
  • 1867: The Storey County Courthouse was built in Virginia City, which still stands as a historic landmark today.
  • 1875: The Mackay School of Mines was established in Virginia City, providing education and research opportunities in mining and metallurgy.
  • 1930s: The decline of mining activity led to a significant decrease in population and economic activity in Storey County.
  • 1954: The county's original courthouse was replaced with a new building, which continues to serve as the county courthouse.
  • 1961: The Nevada Legislature created the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact, impacting Storey County and other counties around Lake Tahoe.
  • 1976: The Storey County Hospital in Virginia City closed its doors after serving the community for almost 100 years.
  • 1997: The Mustang Ranch, one of the most famous brothels in Nevada, reopened in Storey County after being closed for several years.
  • 2002: The Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center, a large industrial park, was developed in Storey County, attracting companies such as Tesla and Google.