Virginia City in Storey County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Young America Engine Co. No. 2
No. C St., Virginia City
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 29, 2014
1. Young America Engine Co. No. 2 Marker
Inscription.
Young America Engine Co. No. 2 was organized in 1862, housing its Rodgers double end stroke hand engine in the Metropolitan Stables building just South of here, across from the Presbyterian Church. In 1867, the company built a masonry fire hall just north of the stables, placing the former vigilante bell from San Francisco in its bell tower. The large bell had to be moved to the center of the roof, however, because when it was rung ceiling plaster inside would fall. In 1872, Young America Engine Co. No. 2 sold its hand engine to Corvallis, Oregon and purchased the first steam fire engine in Nevada, a Silsby, housing it in a new, one-story building with a basement on this site, next to the Wells Fargo Building. In 1875 the company added a second story to the new fire hall that housed the steamer, a two-wheel hose cart, and a four-wheel hose carriage now displayed in the Comstock Fireman’s Museum in Virginia City. Rent from the previous fire hall helped pay for the new structure. Young America disbanded as fire company in 1877, sold its equipment and re-organized as a real estate association, receiving rents from its buildings. Space was rented out in the former fire hall that stood until about 1900.
Young America Engine Co. No. 2 was organized in 1862, housing its Rodgers double end stroke hand engine in the Metropolitan Stables building just South of here, across from the Presbyterian Church. In 1867, the company built a masonry fire hall just north of the stables, placing the former vigilante bell from San Francisco in its bell tower. The large bell had to be moved to the center of the roof, however, because when it was rung ceiling plaster inside would fall. In 1872, Young America Engine Co. No. 2 sold its hand engine to Corvallis, Oregon and purchased the first steam fire engine in Nevada, a Silsby, housing it in a new, one-story building with a basement on this site, next to the Wells Fargo Building. In 1875 the company added a second story to the new fire hall that housed the steamer, a two-wheel hose cart, and a four-wheel hose carriage now displayed in the Comstock Fireman’s Museum in Virginia City. Rent from the previous fire hall helped pay for the new structure. Young America disbanded as fire company in 1877, sold its equipment and re-organized as a real estate association, receiving rents from its buildings. Space was rented out in the former fire hall that stood until about 1900.
Erected 2014 by LECo#1, Comstock Fireman's Museum. (Marker Number 30.)
Location. 39° 18.494′ N, 119° 39.027′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Nevada, in Storey County. Marker is on State Highway 341, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 NV-341, Virginia City NV 89440, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The Young America Engine Co. No. 2 fire hall was located on the east side of C Street, south of Taylor Street in Virginia City. Seen here with a full complement of fire lads posed out from for a company photograph.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2014, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 496 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 19, 2014, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
