Virginia City in Storey County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Site of International Hotels
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 9, 2009
1. Site of International Hotels Marker
The first hotel, a 14 room wood structure, was built in 1860 and dismantled in 1863.
The second, a 100 room, 4 story brick building, was destroyed by the “Great Fire” of October 1875.
The third International opened its doors March, 1877, with 160 rooms on 6 floors, complete with hot/cold running water, steam heat, gas lighting, and the first hydraulic elevator in Nevada. Local notables and visiting dignitaries utilized the grand restaurant/bar facilities.
This superb hostelry was reduced to a “magnificent ruin” by fire December 12, 1914, not to be rebuilt due to the Comstock decline.
Erected 1985 by Julia C. Bulette, Chapter 1864 E Clampus Vitus and the Bucket of Blood Saloon, Virginia City.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 39° 18.651′ N, 119° 38.972′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Nevada, in Storey County. Marker is at the intersection of South C Street (Nevada Route 341) and Union Street, on the right when traveling south on South C Street. Touch for map.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chinatown (here, next to this marker); Founders of Julia C. Bulette Chapter (within shouting distance of this marker); Territorial Enterprise (within shouting distance of this marker); African Americans And The Boston Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); The Delta (within shouting distance of this marker); Red Light District (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia City (within shouting distance of this marker); Piper’s Opera House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.
Regarding Site of International Hotels. At the peak of its glory, Virginia City was a boisterous town with something going on 24 hours a day both above and below ground for its nearly 30,000 residents. There were visiting celebrities, Shakespeare plays, opium dens, newspapers, competing fire companies, fraternal organizations, at least five police precincts, a thriving red-light district, and the first Miner's Union in the U.S. The International Hotel was six stories high and boasted the West's first elevator, called a "rising room”.
Source: http://www.vcnevada.com/history.htm
Also see . . .
Photographed By Jeff Horan of Gustine California, October 20, 2022
2. Site of International Hotels Marker
Lower Marker: Site of International Hotels
Additional keywords. Comstock Lode
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 24, 2009
3. Site of International Hotels and Chinatown Markers
Markers can be seen right behind the Virginia City "Resident" and Piper's Opera House is seen in the background.
The Bancroft Library. University of California, Berkeley., circa 1870's
4. The International Hotel
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,164 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 31, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2. submitted on October 23, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3, 4. submitted on August 31, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
