Virginia City in Madison County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

1863 - Virginia City - 1925

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2016

1. 1863 - Virginia City - 1925 Marker

Inscription. Fairweather and Party Discovered World’s Richest Placer Ground
May 26, 1863
Most Important Center of Notorious Road Agent Activities
1863-1864
Center of Montana’s Famous Vigilante Organization
1863-1864
Home of Montana’s First Newspaper, The Montana Post
1864
Montana’s First Postoffice Established Here
1864
Second Territorial Capital of Montana
1865-1875
Montana’s First Supreme Court Session Held Here
1865
Seal of Montana Adopted Here
1866
Marked by Madison County Federated Woman’s Clubs

Erected by Madison County Federated Woman's Clubs.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 45° 17.634′ N, 111° 56.509′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. Marker is on Wallace Street (State Highway 287) west of Hamilton Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located near the sidewalk, in front of the Thompson-Hickman Museum & Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 Wallace Street, Virginia City MT 59755, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thompson-Hickman Library and Museum (a few steps from this marker);

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Virginia City (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia City School (within shouting distance of this marker); C.W. Rank House (within shouting distance of this marker); Gilbert House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thexton House (about 300 feet away); Gohn Residence (about 300 feet away); Cole/Batten House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

More about this marker. Marker is a large metal plaque, mounted vertically at knee-level on a 3-foot tall stone monument.

Also see . . . Virginia City – The very much alive ghost town in Montana. On May 26, 1863, Henry Edgar and Bill Fairweather discovered gold near Alder Creek. To regulate the staking of individual gold claims, a mining district was set up. On June 16, the township was created a mile south of the gold strike. The miners named the town Varina after the wife of the President of the Confederate States of America, Varina Davis. Although Montana was located in the North,

1863 - Virginia City - 1925 Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2016

2. 1863 - Virginia City - 1925 Marker (tall view)

the town was founded by men whose loyalties were with the Confederacy. Connecticut Judge G. G. Bissell objected and assigned the name Virginia City when the town was being registered. (Submitted on January 9, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

1863 Virginia City 1925 Marker (<i>wide view; Thompson-Hickman Museum & Library in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2016

3. 1863 Virginia City 1925 Marker (wide view; Thompson-Hickman Museum & Library in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 325 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 9, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.