Near Dayton in Lyon County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
In Memory Of "Old Virginny"
1849 Nevada Gold Discovered 1999
— Sesquicentennial Dayton, Nevada —
Photographed By Trev Meed, circa 2014
1. In Memory Of "Old Virginny" Marker
Inscription.
In Memory Of "Old Virginny". 1849 Nevada Gold Discovered 1999. 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."
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 County. Marker 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2015, by Trev Meed of Round Mountain, Nevada. This page has been viewed 362 times since then and 26 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.
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