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

Hale & Norcross Mining Co.

Comstock Historical Marker No. 11

— South D Street, Virginia City, NV —

Hale & Norcross Mining Co. Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2011

1. Hale & Norcross Mining Co. Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1859, the Hale & Norcross contained about 400 feet of original Comstock Lode located between the Savage and Chollar Mines. In 1868, a fierce stock battle was waged for ownership over this property. At the time, the mine was thought to be barren and was in the hands of William Sharon and the Bank of California (Wm. Ralston). Local miners John Mackay and James Fair were convinced the mine had been poorly managed, but would produce good ore if properly worked. The two formed an alliance with former San Francisco saloon owners James Flood and William O’Brien, and with $50,000 of borrowed money secretly began buying Hale & Norcross stock. Sharon, known as the “King of the Comstock” was rarely bested in mining matters, but was caught napping when the stock raid took place. At the annual stockholders meeting on March 10, 1869, the four men now known as the Bonanza Firm, holding a majority of the stock elected themselves trustees of the Hale & Norcross Company. The gamble had paid off and the four netted over $500,000 from this deal alone.

Their biggest victory however, came four years later with the discovery of the Big Bonanza in 1873. In 1875, the Hale & Norcross in conjunction with the Savage and Chollar-Potosi mines sank a large four compartment shaft known as the Combination Shaft, to explore the Comstock Lode at a greater depth, but the operation proved to be of little value. Today remnants of the Combination Shaft can be seen to the east of Virginia City. Total production from the Hale & Norcross from the years of 1875 to 1826 yielded $10.1 million ($17,600,000.00 in today’s dollars.

Erected 2009 by Marshall Earth Resources, Roy Marshall and the Comstock Historical Society. (Marker Number 11.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce

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• Natural Resources. A significant historical month for this entry is March 2005.

Location. 39° 18.266′ N, 119° 39.081′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Nevada, in Storey County. It is on South D Street. Marker is located near the Mackay Mansion. 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: Savage Mining Co. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Savage Mansion (c. 1861) (about 300 feet away); Engineering Marvels on the Comstock (about 500 feet away); Chollar – Potosi Mining Co. (about 500 feet away); Mackay Mansion (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Mackay Mansion (about 500 feet away); Gould & Curry Offices (about 500 feet away); C. J. Prescott House (about 500

Combination Shaft image. Click for full size.

August 25, 2009

2. Combination Shaft

As noted in the marker text.

feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

Additional keywords. Comstock Lode

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,571 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 9, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on October 3, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

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