Near Dayton in Lyon County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

In Memory of "Old Virginny"

1849 Nevada Gold Discovered 1999

— Sesquicentennial Dayton, Nevada —

In Memory Of "Old Virginny" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Trev Meed, circa 2014

1. In Memory Of "Old Virginny" Marker

Inscription. James Finney, State of Virginia native, died Chinatown Dayton June 20, 1861. About 44 years old, one of the first placer gold miners in Gold Canon, arriving in 1850 or 1851. Old Virginny was so revered by other Comstock miners, they named Vrginia City after him, voting at a community meeting. What little is known about him indicates he was a hard drinking but skillful miner. Also generous, honorable, congenial, charitable and picturesque. History notes he located the first quartz claims on the Comstock, at Gold Hill at the Comstock Lode. Ophir diggings, farther up the mountain, both, 1859. The Virginia Mountain Range carries his name. Dayton residents buried him, passing a resolution in his honor, noting "People of this territory have lost a man to whom more than any other they indebted for the discovery of the mineral wealth of this territory."

Erected 2001 by Dayton Historical Society's Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical date for this entry is June 20, 1861.

Location. 39° 14.008′ N, 119° 35.817′ W. Marker is near Dayton, Nevada, in Lyon

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County. It can be reached from Cemetery Road. This marker is located at the Dayton Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dayton NV 89403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada

and 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: Dayton Cemetery (here, next to this marker); Dedicated to "Old Virginny" (here, next to this marker); Hall's Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Dayton, Sutro & Carson Valley Railroad (approx. 0.3 miles away); Nevada’s First Gold Discovery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dayton's School House - 1865 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Nevada Added Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Union Hotel & Post Office (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Dayton Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Trev Meed

2. Dayton Cemetery

James Finney image. Click for full size.

Nevada Historical Society

3. James Finney

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2015, by Trev Meed of Round Mountain, Nevada. This page has been viewed 741 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 11, 2015, by Trev Meed of Round Mountain, Nevada. 2. submitted on October 9, 2015, by Trev Meed of Round Mountain, Nevada. 3. submitted on October 12, 2015. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area view of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?