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The Comstock Lode – Nevada State Historic Monument
The Comstock Lode stands as one of the most significant mining discoveries in American history: the first major silver deposit found in the United States. Located beneath the eastern slope of Mount Davidson in the Virginia Range, near what became Virginia City, Nevada (then part of western Utah Territory), it transformed the region from a sparsely populated frontier into a booming industrial center. The lode’s riches fueled the development of Nevada as a state, bankrolled much of San Francisco’s growth, influenced national monetary policy debates, and advanced deep-level mining technology.
Early Discoveries and the Path to 1859
Placer gold mining began in the area as early as 1850, when Mormon emigrants led by Abner Blackburn found gold in Gold Canyon (near present-day Dayton, Nevada). Small-scale placer operations continued through the 1850s, with miners washing gold from streams flowing down from the Virginia Range. These efforts were modest and overshadowed by the California Gold Rush.
In 1857, brothers Ethan Allen Grosh and Hosea Ballou Grosh (experienced prospectors from Pennsylvania) reportedly discovered rich silver-gold veins while searching the area. They documented promising samples but tragically died before recording formal claims—Ethan from a mining accident and Hosea from frostbite after a winter trek. Their knowledge passed to others indirectly.
By early 1859, prospectors including Peter O’Riley and Patrick McLaughlin were working claims in Six-Mile Canyon and Gold Canyon. On June 12, 1859 (the generally accepted date of the major “rediscovery”), they uncovered a rich vein of gold mixed with heavy blue-gray clay while digging for water to process placer gold. The clay proved frustrating until assayed and revealed as rich silver sulfide ore—marking the true start of the Comstock Lode.
Henry Tompkins Paige Comstock (“Old Pancake”), a talkative Canadian prospector and sheepherder, quickly inserted himself into the discovery. He claimed the ground for “grazing” and pressured the finders into giving him and partner Emanuel “Manny” Penrod shares. Though Comstock contributed little technically and sold his interests cheaply soon after (dying poor later), the lode bore his name.
News of the strike spread rapidly, sparking the “Rush to Washoe” (named for the Washoe Valley region). Thousands poured in from California, creating instant camps.
Boom Period and Development (1859–1870s)
The Comstock Lode stretched about 2.5–3 miles along the base of Mount Davidson, with ore bodies in narrow, steeply dipping veins that required deep underground mining. Initial placer and shallow diggings gave way to hardrock operations.
- Towns and Infrastructure: Virginia City (founded 1859) and Gold Hill exploded in population, reaching peaks of 20,000–25,000 by the mid-1870s. Virginia City became the most important city between San Francisco and Denver, with saloons, theaters, newspapers (including the Territorial Enterprise), churches, schools, and an opera house. Other settlements included Silver City and Dayton.
- Mining Challenges and Innovations: Early miners faced flooding, cave-ins, and unstable ground. German engineer Philipp Deidesheimer invented the square-set timbering system in 1860, allowing safe excavation of large ore bodies. Deep shafts reached over 3,000 feet by the 1880s. Adolph Sutro engineered the Sutro Tunnel (completed 1878), a 4-mile drainage and transport tunnel that relieved flooding and cut costs dramatically.
- Economic Control: The Bank Crowd (led by William Sharon of the Bank of California and William Ralston in San Francisco) dominated early financing, mills, and stock manipulation on the San Francisco Mining Exchange. They controlled much of the early production but faced competition.
- Key Bonanzas:
- Ophir (early producer until ~1864).
- Crown Point (major strike in 1871).
- The Big Bonanza (1873) in the Consolidated Virginia and California mines—discovered by the Bonanza Firm (or “Bonanza Kings”/”Silver Kings”): Irish immigrants John William Mackay, James Graham Fair, James Clair Flood, and William S. O’Brien. This massive ore body (54 feet wide at points) produced over $100 million (hundreds of millions today) and made them among the richest men in the world.
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) worked briefly as a miner before becoming a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise, drawing on Comstock experiences for Roughing It.
Peak Production and Decline (1870s–1880s)
Peak output came in 1877–1878, with annual production exceeding $35 million ($14–21 million gold and silver combined, equivalent to over $1 billion today). From 1859 to the early 1880s, the district yielded roughly $400–500 million in metals (at then-current prices), including estimates of ~192–200 million ounces of silver and ~8–8.3 million ounces of gold. About 7 million tons of ore were extracted by 1880, with 57% silver value and 43% gold.
The lode’s riches helped finance the Union during the Civil War (prompting Nevada’s rushed statehood in 1864 for electoral votes and senators like William Morris Stewart and John P. Jones). Wealth flowed to San Francisco, building infrastructure and mansions.
By the late 1870s, rich bonanzas depleted, flooding worsened, and costs soared. Production declined sharply after 1880, though small-scale mining continued into the 20th century (sporadic until the 1940s, with minor revivals).
Nevada State History Marker #13
Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.
Near this spot was the heart of the Comstock Lode, the fabulous 2 ½ mile deposit of high-grade ore that produced nearly $400,000.00 in silver and gold. After the discovery in 1859, Virginia City boomed for 20 years, helped bring Nevada into the union in 1864 and to build San Francisco.
Several major mines operated during the boom. Their sites are today marked by large yellow dumps, several of which are visible from here – the Sierra Nevada a mile to your left, the Union, Ophir, Con Virginia and, on the high hill to the southeast, the combination. The Lode was worked from both ends, north up Gold Canyon and south from the Sierra Nevada Utah mines.
NEVADA CENTENNIAL MARKER NO. 13
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
The Comstock Lode – Nevada State History Marker Summary
| Nevada State History Marker | 13 |
| Name | The Comstock Load |
| Location | Virginia City, Storey County, Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 39.31668, -119.64736 |
References
Rochester Nevada – Pershing County Ghost Town
Rochester, Nevada, is a historic ghost town and former mining camp located in Rochester Canyon within the southern Humboldt Range in Pershing County, Nevada. Situated roughly 10-15 miles southeast of Interstate 80 (near the Oreana exit) and about 110 miles east of Reno, it lies in a narrow, steep canyon that once supported a booming silver and gold mining community.
Early Discovery and Initial Development (1860s–Early 1900s)
The Rochester district was first discovered in the early 1860s by prospectors from Rochester, New York, who found gold and silver deposits in the canyon. They named the area after their hometown. Small-scale mining occurred during this period, including work at sites like the Relief Mine in the southern part of the range. However, these early efforts yielded limited success, and the district remained relatively insignificant for decades, with only sporadic activity through the 1870s and into the early 20th century.
In 1905, Charles E. Stevens located claims on Nenzel Hill at the head of Rochester Canyon. These claims later passed to Joseph F. Nenzel.
The Boom Period (1912–1920s)
The true transformation came in 1912, when Joseph Nenzel shipped a small lot of float ore that assayed surprisingly high values. This led to the discovery of rich silver-bearing veins, sparking a major boom. Word spread quickly, and by 1913, the canyon’s population swelled to around 2,000 people.
The town developed in sections due to the steep terrain:
- Upper Rochester (also called Old Town or Rochester Heights) sat higher up the canyon.
- Lower Rochester was laid out on November 20, 1912, lower in the canyon and became the main hub, hosting the original post office.
Additional settlements included East Rochester and areas like Packard.
Two major companies drove operations:
- The Rochester Mines Co. built an all-slime cyanidation mill starting at 100 tons per day (later expanded to 160 tons).
- The Nevada-Packard Mines Co. constructed a 120-ton mill. In 1917, the Rochester Combined Mines Co. erected a $300,000 mill at Packard, though it operated briefly before shutting down (equipment later moved to Candelaria in 1922).
The district produced valuable silver, gold, copper, and lead, with estimates of total output ranging from $6 million to $10 million (primarily silver) during the main boom years from 1912 to 1928. Peak activity occurred in the mid-1910s, with the Rochester Mines Co. as a principal producer (facing but avoiding major apex litigation through compromise and consolidation into the Rochester Silver Corporation in 1920).
Decline and Ghost Town Status
Operations declined sharply in the late 1920s. The Rochester Silver Corporation ceased major work by 1929, and equipment was sold. Limited activity continued into the 1930s (e.g., the Buck and Charley Mine under the Rochester Plymouth Mines Co. in 1936), but the town faded as ore values dropped and the boom ended.
By the mid-20th century, Rochester had become a ghost town, with scattered ruins, mill foundations, and remnants stretching over two miles through the canyon.
Role in Pershing County History
Rochester played a significant role in the mining heritage of Pershing County, one of Nevada’s key mining regions. Pershing County—formed on March 18, 1919 (the newest county in Nevada, carved from Humboldt County and named after General John J. Pershing of World War I fame)—has long relied on mining and ranching. The area was part of early westward expansion routes like the Humboldt Trail.
Rochester’s 1912–1920s boom stood out as one of north-central Nevada’s most successful mining camps during a period when many districts struggled. Its production contributed to the region’s economy and highlighted Pershing County’s silver and gold potential in the Humboldt Range.
While the historic Rochester town is abandoned, modern mining revived in the district. The Coeur Rochester Mine (an open-pit heap-leach silver-gold operation) began in 1986, paused from 2007–2010, and resumed in 2011. It remains the largest employer in Pershing County today, building on the legacy of the early 20th-century discoveries.
Rochester exemplifies Nevada’s classic boom-and-bust mining cycle: modest beginnings, a dramatic silver rush, rapid growth, and eventual decline—leaving behind a poignant ghost town that attracts historians, explorers, and off-road enthusiasts.
Rochester Nevada Trail Map
Futher Reading
Marta Becket
Marta Becket (August 9, 1924 – January 30, 2017) was an extraordinary American dancer, choreographer, painter, and performer whose life took a legendary turn in the remote desert of California. Best known for transforming an abandoned building in Death Valley Junction into the iconic Amargosa Opera House, she created a unique artistic oasis in one of the most isolated places in the United States, performing there for over four decades.
Here are some glimpses of the stunning Amargosa Opera House interior, where Becket hand-painted elaborate murals of a colorful, eternal audience—including Renaissance figures, clowns, monks, and even a nod to theater critics—watching her performances forever:
Early Life and Artistic Beginnings
Born Martha Becket in New York City’s Greenwich Village on August 9, 1924, she showed creative talent from a young age. She began studying ballet at 14—a relatively late start—encouraged by her supportive yet demanding mother. Despite the delay, her natural ability shone through. By her early twenties, she was dancing professionally with the corps de ballet at Radio City Music Hall and later appeared on Broadway in productions such as Showboat. Beyond dance, she excelled in painting, drawing, and piano, laying the foundation for her multifaceted career.
She later changed her name to Marta Becket and, in the early 1960s, began performing her own one-woman shows on regional tours. In 1962, she married her manager, Tom Williams, and the couple continued traveling across the western U.S., where she first fell in love with the vast desert landscapes.
The Fateful Flat Tire: Birth of the Amargosa Opera House
In March 1967, while on tour and heading to an engagement, Becket and her husband experienced a flat tire in the tiny, nearly abandoned town of Death Valley Junction (originally called Amargosa), near the eastern edge of Death Valley National Park. While the tire was repaired at the local gas station, Becket wandered across the street and peered through a hole in the door of Corkhill Hall, a dilapidated former community social hall built in the 1920s by the Pacific Coast Borax Company.
She later described the moment as mystical—the empty, rundown building seemed to speak to her: “Take me. Do something with me. I offer you life!” Enchanted by the potential, she rented the space for $45 a month (with a dollar down) and took full responsibility for repairs. The couple returned in August 1967 to begin renovations. She renamed it the Amargosa Opera House in homage to the town’s original name.
Here’s the iconic exterior of the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel complex in the remote desert landscape:
A Life of Dedication in the Desert
Becket staged her first performance on February 10, 1968, to an audience of just 12 people. Early years were challenging—she often performed for empty seats—but she persisted, creating her own choreography blending ballet, mime, and vaudeville. Over seven years, she painstakingly painted the theater’s walls and ceiling with vibrant murals depicting a permanent, whimsical audience.
In 1970, a National Geographic article brought national attention, and audiences began arriving from around the world. By 1974, she established the nonprofit Amargosa Opera House, Inc. to preserve the property. She continued performing weekly (later on Saturdays) until her final show in February 2012, at age 87.
Becket also expanded to own and restore the adjacent hotel, infusing it with her artistic vision.
Legacy and Final Years
Marta Becket passed away on January 30, 2017, at her home in Death Valley Junction at the age of 92, from natural causes. Her story of following her heart—leaving the bright lights of New York for a solitary desert stage—has inspired countless artists and dreamers.
The Amargosa Opera House remains a living tribute to her vision, hosting performances, tours, and events to this day. Her legacy endures as a testament to the power of art, determination, and the magic that can bloom even in the most unexpected places.
Here are a few beautiful portraits and moments of Marta Becket herself, capturing her grace and enduring spirit:
Lost Burro Mine
The Lost Burro Mine is one of the best-preserved historic gold mining sites in Death Valley National Park, California. Located in a remote draw at the northern end of the mountain range separating Hidden Valley from Racetrack Valley (near Teakettle Junction in the Ubehebe Mining District), the mine sits in rugged terrain accessible only by high-clearance 4WD vehicles via a rough 1-mile dirt track off the Hidden Valley road. Its isolation has helped protect the site from vandalism, making it a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century prospecting life.
Discovery (1907)
The story of the Lost Burro Mine began on April 18, 1907, with a classic tale of serendipity. Prospector Bert Shively, while searching for his stray burros in a remote canyon, picked up a rock intending to throw it at the animals to get their attention. Instead of tossing it, he noticed the rock was laced with visible free gold. Surface assays from the outcroppings reportedly ran from $40 to $1,000 per ton — incredibly rich values for the era.
Shively quickly filed six claims and partnered with others, securing options worth around $45,000. The accidental discovery turned the site into one of the most promising gold properties in the Ubehebe District (an area otherwise known more for lead, silver, and copper).
Early Development and Peak Years (1907–1910s)
Despite the financial panic of 1907, work continued at the Lost Burro, regarded as one of the richest claims in the district. Ore samples averaged high gold values (some reports cite up to $80–$1,450 per ton in early assays), and the mine attracted multiple ownership changes and optimistic plans.
By the 1910s, development included short tunnels along the vein, with ore intersections averaging $25 per ton in later reports. Foundations were laid for a five-stamp mill and cyanide plant, intended to process ore on-site, with water piped in from Burro Spring (about 7.5 miles northeast on Tin Mountain) via a 2-inch pipeline. Remnants of this pipeline — along with rusted oil drums, tin cans, old chairs, and other debris — still litter the site.
The mine’s greatest production likely occurred between 1912 and 1917, though official records are sparse. It stands out as the only exclusively gold-bearing property in the Ubehebe District.
Later Operations and Decline (1920s–1970s)
The mine changed hands several times over the decades and was worked intermittently. In 1942, claims were relocated, and further amendments occurred in 1948 and 1970. A small amount of recorded production (about 255 ounces of gold between 1935 and 1942) exists, but unofficial estimates suggest the total lifetime output may have approached $100,000 in gold value.
Operations wound down by the 1970s, and the site was eventually incorporated into Death Valley National Park, where all mining claims became inactive.
Modern Legacy
Today, the Lost Burro Mine features a remarkably intact wooden cabin (in good condition, with stories of a “curse” leading some visitors to return removed artifacts), an outhouse, multiple adits (some used for storage), a one-chute ore bin, mill foundations stairstepping down the hillside, scattered machinery (including a small retort/smeltor and sluice box remnants), and tailings piles.
The site’s remoteness — requiring a challenging 4WD journey often combined with trips to the nearby Racetrack Playa — has kept it well-preserved and largely free of modern vandalism. Visitors are reminded to leave everything as found, as the area is protected wilderness.
The Lost Burro Mine remains a testament to the tenacity of Death Valley prospectors — turning a frustrated burro chase into a legendary gold story in one of the harshest environments on Earth. Always check current road conditions and permits with the National Park Service before visiting!
Lost Burro Mine Video
Lost Burro Mine Trail Map
Lippincott Mine
The Lippincott Mine (also known as the Lead King Mine) is a historic lead-silver mine located in the remote southwestern corner of Racetrack Valley within Death Valley National Park, California. Situated in the Ubehebe Mining District on the ridge separating Racetrack Valley from Saline Valley, the site represents one of the area’s more productive small-scale mining operations in the early-to-mid 20th century. Today, it features scattered ruins, adits (horizontal mine entrances), tailings piles, and remnants of mining infrastructure, though much has deteriorated over time. Visitors often access it via rough off-road routes, including the infamous Lippincott Mine Road.
Discovery and Early Development (1906–1910s)
The Lippincott Mine was discovered in 1906, with significant development work beginning around 1908. Located in a harsh, water-scarce desert environment, the mine targeted rich lead-silver deposits (primarily galena ore). Early ore samples showed impressive grades, often yielding around 42% lead and 8 ounces of silver per ton, making extraction economically viable despite the remote location.
The mine saw its most productive period during World War I, when demand for lead (used in ammunition and other wartime materials) surged. Miners reportedly used the flat, dry surface of the nearby Racetrack Playa as an improvised landing strip for small aircraft, aiding in supply transport and oversight.
World War II Era and Post-War Operations (1940s–1950s)
Operations ramped up again during World War II, with development of the Lead King Mine (under the Lippincott family) beginning in May 1942. A small crew of about eight miners extracted high-grade silver-lead ore, which was trucked out to Goldfield, Nevada, then railed to smelters in Utah. Only the richest ore was shipped due to challenging logistics — the silver was particularly valuable for wartime storage batteries.
Despite high ore quality (some reports cite up to 63% lead and 35 ounces of silver), federal restrictions shut down operations during the later war years as part of resource conservation efforts. The Lippincott family resumed work from 1946 to 1951, constructing additional infrastructure like a mine camp with wood and tarpaper cabins, an ore tipple, and possibly a tramway system.
Water scarcity remained a major challenge — supplies had to be trucked in over long distances — and this likely contributed to the eventual closure. Limited activity may have continued sporadically into the 1970s under later owners like George Lippincott Jr.’s Polaris Battery Company, which considered further exploration in 1974.
Legacy and Modern Significance
The Lippincott Mine is now part of Death Valley National Park, where all mining claims are inactive, and the site is protected as a historic resource. Ruins include adits (some gated for bat protection), scattered timbers, old vehicle parts, and tailings piles — visitors should avoid disturbing soil or inhaling dust due to potential residual lead contamination.
The mine’s access road — the steep, narrow, and extremely challenging Lippincott Mine Road (also called Lippincott Pass) — was originally built in 1906 to reach the site. This 7-mile route from Saline Valley to Racetrack Valley features sheer drop-offs, tight switchbacks, and rough terrain, making it one of Death Valley’s most notorious 4WD trails (high-clearance 4WD with experienced drivers only; uphill traffic has right-of-way).
The Lippincott Mine stands as a testament to the tenacity of early 20th-century prospectors in one of the harshest environments on Earth, contributing to the broader mining history of Death Valley that includes gold, silver, borax, and other metals. While not as famous as sites like Rhyolite or the Keane Wonder Mine, it remains a fascinating, off-the-beaten-path destination for adventurous visitors exploring Racetrack Valley’s moving rocks and remote wilderness. Always check current road conditions with the National Park Service before attempting access!