Acting under the cognizance of the Storey County commission, the GHHS is the custodian of the Gold Hill depot; probably the most-fragile wood structure on the Comstock and one of the few preserved wooden structures from the 1869 and 1973 silver bonanzas that was not destroyed in the fires of 1875 or by subsequent decay and neglect.  GHHS members and contractors, working with private donations, state and federal grants, and volunteer labor, have made a number of improvements to the depot since 1994.  The roof has been replaced, the substructure has been lifted off of wooden piers and supported with a poured concrete foundation, and the original depot attendant's living quarters have been recreated.  Fire sprinklers were installed in 2008.

The GHHS was named the physical custodial agent for steam locomotive #8, owned by the Feather River Short Line Railroad.  This locomotive was moved to the Gold Hill site in February, 2009 where it is being protected. It is stored on a lead track that connects with the existing Virginia and Truckee Railroad, with the intention of supporting operations of that railroad, and its extended reconstruction currently in progress, for special events and potentially as a backup in the event of mechanical failure of equipment owned by other parties.  A more thorough treatment of the history of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad is available through the Virginia & Truckee Railroad Historic Society.

Membership invitations are extended from time to time to persons in recognition of their contribution to the local community.  Members range from retired truckers to television personalities to senior corporate executives, all of whom are characterized by their years of contributing time and money to Comstock-related volunteer efforts.  The GHHS has 28 members as of January 2009.

The membership has come to realize that sustaining and operating the structures and equipment that have so far been restored will require some form of continuing revenue from sources other than donations and grants.  On July 13th, 2008 a strategic planning subcommittee was formed to consider alternative futures for the area as a tourist attraction and preservation site, with a view towards eventually transforming the area into a world-class and world-recognized historic attraction.  We anticipate that it will require 18 months to complete their long-term historic preservation plan, including the coordination with residents, merchants, restauranteurs, hoteliers, local government, tour companies, and other interested parties.

The objective is to produce a transformation plan that can attract significant investment capital to the community and commitments from package tour operators, local and state government, and event producers in order to provide revenues sufficient to sustain existing structures and artifacts, and to restore others.

The public at large are encouraged to contact the GHHS at the e-mail address below if they have ideas that could help the strategic planning committee or who want to express their concerns.

Additional details and news will be posted as this site matures.  In the interim, please feel free to contact:

                                            info@goldhillnv.org

The Gold Hill Historical Society

P.O. Box 1052

Virginia City, NV 89440

 

All Materials on this Site Except Public Domain Photographs are Copyright, the Gold Hill Historical Society.  For permission to copy, contact the Society at the above e-mail address.

Last updated 2009/08/04

Version 4.3