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Show r? s .. . i by JEANNE LAUF WALPOLE . ! .58 r .t-l- ' - An -- - iMvvpMi of virtual reality, is In an age Viiginia City, Nev., a refreshing anomaly. Whik many top tourist destinations boast faithful recreations of the streets of Paris, the pyramids of Egypt, and the Matterhorn in Switzerland, Viiginia Gty prides itself on being the real McCoy. . Hugging steep canyon walls at the base of Mount drive southeast of Reno, die Davidson, a le towri ambling wooden sidewalks and original buildings remain much the same as during its heyday in the 1800s. "This isnt a theme park this a die real dung," explains Joe Curtis, historian and owner of Mark TWain's Bookstore. "These are the same sidewalks 47-mi- 19th-centu- ry 11m Caatfa, am af tha VMmA " Mk. wny - J,, Quonnii Nfim mnni M Mark Tkain walked on." Tfeaink celebrated career' inducted a trine in Viiginia Gtj; from 1862-6- 4, when author worked on the staff the of the town newspaper; die TunttruiSMtrut, - Viiginia Gtys glory days rocketed in 1839, when gold was discovered in nearby. Six-Mi-le Canyon.' Fortune seekers swarmed in, creating a settlement, which was named CXd Virginny Ibwn by miner James Finney in honor-of his home state of Viiginia. Digging Sold out of the ground proved difficult, however; because a mud clung to miners' picks mysterious blue-grand thovels, hampering their efforts. But the sludge had a silver lining. It was assayed and found to' contain $3,000 per ton in silver (compared to $873 v per ton in gold), and the real bonanza began.--: Over the next 23 years the $400 million (about $4 billion in today's dollars) yielded by the Comstock Lode turned Old Virginny Ibwn into Viiginia Gty; the most important town between Denver and San Francisco. ' . q fi iw - HW . ' iV . Ox. . . ... ''S if, '.Pare 8 American. Profile.., bhfea&L - r. . c.-.- v I TTiilmr 'n-- .v r'f , " V, s . -- ; & s -- 'U u 1 , long-runni- I can really fed the presence of the peopk and these streets before, says from tourist Susanvilk, Calif . . Gkn Child, a also Curtis encourages visitors to try to feel the : 1 tell people to find the most important history. historical building in town, put their hands on it, dose their eyes, and then imagine what life was like .v . in the 1870s," he says. Although everything in Virginia Gty oazes the A visitor can learn past, aome sites are must-see- s. leBons at the Founh Ward School, consoucted in architectural features:" ; 1876 with the then-late- st modem heating and piped water: One also can experience life underground in die Qmllar Mine a ; showcase of early mining equipment and methods.' The high life ofa French chareau is on exhibition at The Castle, a fortress packed with original 1860s fornishiigs imported from Europe, and the Viigink& '; Thidae Railroad, still pulled ty a steam locomotive : tailroad . and once the richest, most famous short-lin-e : in the world, is available for rides! Also nottoT' missedareThe Way It Was Museum, for a premier ' lcnoo id imQiflg Immyj ScACuyli iq tfac Afouoflufls : Catholic Church, for a glimpse into early Nevada worship; and Piperi Opera House, for a celebration of aps and culture. .2 ". . Designated America's Largest Historical Monument, Virginia Gty today is home ro about IjOOO residents and, as one of the most significant historical sites in die Wett, radiates the excitement of the i home ro 30,000 residents. "The Richest Pfare on Earth," as it was also dubbed, boasted opera houses, hotels, along with fency restaurants, and high-da- ss its own water; gas," and electrical systems. The riches squeezed out of the mines helped finance ; die transcontinental railroad, the Gvil War; and the building of San Francisco. But by 1920 mines had been exhausted, and v die boisrerous' mining city's population began to GoURudiDaysorice again. shrink. In' 1930 only about 300 hardy citizen remained wheh Lucius Beebe, a New York writes; ;;Jaw LtufWalpth ism fiwtam wriur fnm Rm, Nm arrived ro breathe new life into die old Ttrrtttrial i Ertupriu, which had thrived in Twains day. The TV prajgtamBamns was also filmed . near Viiginia City, furthecjueling a tourist boom. ''?r Because of the towns authenticity many visitors say they are abk to experience its history oh a t' sensory level. . i r In ia peak years, the Queen of the Comstock . . . ' ; k - 1 :''? ' m niml whove walked ay . raiiiiwvr ot A. mmi imm nr limn w ng -- i, .vL A. f. i |