Virginia City in Storey County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

St. Mary Louise Hospital

55 North R Street, Virginia City, NV

— Comstock Historical Marker No. 7 —

St. Mary Louise Hospital Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 25, 2011

1. St. Mary Louise Hospital Marker

Inscription. The grounds were formally known as Van Bokkelen’s Beer Garden. General Jacob Van Bokkelen was commander of the Virginia City National guard, was killed in a dynamite explosion in his hardware store on Taylor St,. west of C Street in March 1873 that took his life and that of several others. This five acre site was later purchased by Mrs. John (Mary Louise) Mackay, wife of Bonanza King John Mackay. Mrs. Mackay then donated the land to Father (later Bishop) Patrick Manogue of the Catholic Church for the building of the hospital. Construction took place in 1875 at a cost of about $45,000. The four story 14,000 sq. ft. brick building contained 36 rooms with five wards and 12 private rooms. Up to 70 patients could be accommodated. It was partially funded by miners and milling men, who paid $1.00 per month to support it.

The hospital opened and received its first patients on March 6, 1876. The daily operations of the facility were presided over by Catholic Nuns known as: “Daughters of Charity.” The hospital was in operation for 21 years, but with Virginia City’s dwindling population, it closed in September 1897, when the last two “Daughter of Charity” left the Comstock. It later served as Storey County’s Hospital until the 1940’s when a fire on the top floor forced it to close. In 1964, after much renovation the old Hospital once again opened its doors, but to a different clientele, when it became St. Mary’s Art Center.

Erected 2009 by Marshall Earth Resources, Hugh Roy Marshall, Virginia City, Nevada. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Science & Medicine • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1873.

Location. 39° 18.643′ N, 119° 38.875′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Nevada, in Storey County. It is on E Street.

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This marker is in or near the Silverland Inn and Suites parking lot on E Street, between Union and Sutton Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Virginia City NV 89440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Reno Area.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chinatown (a few steps from this marker); African Americans and the Boston Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Ships of the Nevada Desert (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia and Truckee Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); C & C Mining Works (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Red Light District (about 300 feet away); The Big Bonanza (about 400 feet away); The Union Brewery (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 25, 2011

2. St. Mary Louise Hospital Marker

The former St. Mary Louise Hospital is in the distance.

Detail from the St. Mary Louise Hospital Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Detail from the St. Mary Louise Hospital Marker

St. Mary’s Hospital & Storey County Hospital

St. Mary Louise Hospital, today the St, Mary's Art Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2011

4. St. Mary Louise Hospital, today the St, Mary's Art Center

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,506 times since then and 95 times this year. Last updated on July 17, 2023, by Troy ECV Morgan of Carson City, Nevada. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 2, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.