Gold Hill, Nevada

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Gold Hill, late 1870s. Photo: Carleton Watkins

Gold Hill is a community in Storey County, Nevada, located just south and downhill of Virginia City. Incorporated December 17, 1862, in order to prevent its annexation by its larger neighbor, the town at one point was home to at least 8,000 residents. Prosperity was sustained for a period of 20 years between 1868 and 1888 by mining the Comstock Lode, a major deposit of silver ore. Mines such as the Yellow Jacket, Crown Point, and Belcher brought in over $10 million each in dividends. The Gold Hill post office remained in operation until 1943. Today Gold Hill exists as a shell of its former self; its population in 2005 was 191.^[1] Historical remnants of the town can still be seen, including the Gold Hill Hotel, promoted as Nevada's oldest hotel, in existence since some time prior to 1862; the former Bank of California building; the train depot; and remains of several of the mines.

A later mining complex in the area operated from 1927 until 1942, though operations were sporadic after 1933, when the price of ore made continuous operations unprofitable. Just under $100 million worth of ore was extracted after 1930. All that remain standing are the hoist and the mill's foundation. Current mining operations focus on rocks used for landscaping purposes.

Coordinates: 39°17′26″N, 119°39′27″W