Virginia City in Storey County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Fourth Ward School
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 9, 2009
1. The Fourth Ward School Marker
Inscription.
The Fourth Ward School. .
Walk in Their Shoes . On November 28, 1876, the excited residents of Virginia City christened their new monuments to education, the Fourth Ward School. The town was divided into “wards” for political and fire purposes. Built to honor the nation’s centennial, the majestic four-story building could accommodate over 1000 students, which helped alleviate the serious overcrowding in the eleven other public schools. The new school boasted state-of-the-art heating, ventilation, sanitation systems, curriculum, and teaching practices such as team-teaching.,
Follow Their Footsteps. By the mid-1930s, the other eleven schools were no longer standing and less than 200 students attended the school. The building was in need of repair, and it seemed to be an obsolete relic from another era. A new brick school was built with New Deal funding and the Fourth Ward closed its doors in 1936., Abandoned to the elements for fifty years, state, federal and private grants rescued the structure and the community reopened the building in 1986 as a museum. As the last school standing of its type, hundreds of thousands of visitors ranging from school groups to foreign tourists have explored this authentically preserved time capsule and exhibits. The Fourth Ward School has become a community cultural center, archives and research center, and a place to connect to people and their stories of the Old West.,
Explore Their Stories.
Walk in Their Shoes
On November 28, 1876, the excited residents of Virginia City christened their new monuments to education, the Fourth Ward School. The town was divided into “wards” for political and fire purposes. Built to honor the nation’s centennial, the majestic four-story building could accommodate over 1000 students, which helped alleviate the serious overcrowding in the eleven other public schools. The new school boasted state-of-the-art heating, ventilation, sanitation systems, curriculum, and teaching practices such as team-teaching.
Follow Their Footsteps
By the mid-1930s, the other eleven schools were no longer standing and less than 200 students attended the school. The building was in need of repair, and it seemed to be an obsolete relic from another era. A new brick school was built with New Deal funding and the Fourth Ward closed its doors in 1936.
Abandoned to the elements for fifty years, state, federal and private grants rescued the structure and the community reopened the building in 1986 as a museum. As the last school standing of its type, hundreds of thousands of visitors ranging from school groups to foreign tourists have explored this authentically preserved time capsule and exhibits. The Fourth Ward School has become
Click or scan to see this page online
a community cultural center, archives and research center, and a place to connect to people and their stories of the Old West.
Explore Their Stories
Erected by Nevada Commission of Cultural Affairs, Nevada State Historic Preservation Office, National Park Service, Save America’s Treasures, Comstock Historic District Commission, Nevada State Division of Minerals Commission on Mineral Resources, Shannon Hataway Design.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1812.
Location. 39° 18.18′ N, 119° 39.147′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Nevada, in Storey County. Marker is on South C Street (Nevada Route 341) near Nevada Route 342. Marker is located at the parking area of the Fourth Ward School Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 537 South C Street, Virginia City NV 89440, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Fourth Ward School (a few steps from this marker); Engineering Marvels on the Comstock (within shouting distance of this marker); Chollar – Potosi Mining Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); Combination Shaft (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);
More about this marker. See Nearby Marker Fourth Ward School for additional photos and information links.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 9, 2009
3. Close-Up of Artwork on Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 9, 2009
4. The Fourth Ward School
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 25, 2009
5. The Fourth Ward School and Chollar Mansion
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,794 times since then and 39 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week June 5, 2011. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 23, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on August 31, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
