Mines such as the Yellow Jacket, Crown Point, and Belcher brought in over $10 million each. An important stop on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, the town boasted numerous businesses, churches, schools, and several fire fighting companies.

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