Take a short drive from Reno and you’ll discover Virginia city, nevada. at the peak of the silver rush on the comstock Lode in the mid-1870s, more than 25,000 people called the bustling city home. Hundreds of boarding houses, bars and brothels lined the streets of Virginia city, catering to the needs of the hopeful miners. the locals will tell you the wealth discovered here helped build San Francisco. even mark twain settled here for a short time, writing for one of the local newspapers. today, a trip to Virginia city is a trip back in time to explore the exquisitely preserved churches, opera house, school and more.