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When the mines began to play out in the late 1870s, the
town began to decline. Efforts to revive the mines were made sporadically
over the years, including the Yellow Jacket Mine that operated from 1927
until 1942. When it too became unprofitable the people left in droves and
by the following year, the post office closed.
Though Gold Hill is a shell of its former self and is
called home to less than 200 people, a number of historic buildings
continue to stand, most notably the Gold Hill Hotel, built in 1859 and the
state’s oldest operating hotel. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad Depot,
built in 1872 and used until 1936, has been fully restored today and
serves as the ticket office for the revived V & T Railroad.
The former Bank of California building, built in 1862 also
continues to stand. Over the years, the building housed a variety of
businesses, and today appears to be utilized as an office of some sort.
Several mining remains dot the area including the Yellow Jacket Mine shaft
and head frame and the Crown Point Mill. A couple of grand restored homes,
along with numerous old mining shacks dot the area.
Just another mile up the hill is
Virginia City, the Queen of the
Comstock Lode.
The Gold Hill Hotel is
Nevada's
oldest operating hotel,
Kathy
Weiser, July, 2009.
©
Kathy Weiser/Legends
of America, updated January, 2010
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