Virginia City Marks 150 Years Since the Great Fire

Sunday, Oct. 26 marked 150 years since the Great Fire of 1875 in Virginia City, one of the most devastating events in the town's storied history. Locals and visitors gathered in the Bucket of Blood/Delta Saloon parking lot to to remember the tragedy and honor the resilience of those who lived through it.

The Great Fire broke out around 5:30 a.m. at an A Street boardinghouse and raged for nearly nine hours, fueled by strong winds and dry timber. The flames eventually fizzled out around 2:30 p.m, destroying more than 2,000 homes and businesses, causing an estimated $20 million in losses to the Comstock — the equivalent of more than $525 million today.

Despite the immense destruction, only two deaths were directly attributed to the blaze (a third victim later succumbed to injuries from the fire). The impact reached far beyond the Comstock.

"The impact was felt throughout the U.S. as the market was so heavily impacted by the concern for the mines in the area," noted Storey County Fire Protection District on their Facebook page.

Local historian Joe Curtis addressed the crowd during the commemoration, reflecting on both the devastation and the determination that followed. "So we're back here today, in 2025, recognizing what these guys did to try to save this community and then help it to come back to what it is today."

Curtis noted that remnants of the fire still exist beneath the surface. Residents living on the lower end of town – once the industrial district – can find historical artifacts buried on their properties from debris hauled down the hill after the fire as the community began to rebuild. Within just a year or two, nearly all of Virginia City’s iconic structures had been reconstructed, marking the town’s incredible recovery.

Today, you can stop by the Virginia City Visitor's Center to pickup a "Great Fire of 1875 Visitor Card", which showcases landmarks impacted by the fire and encourages guests to visit each location and learn more about area history.

For those interested in firefighting during the Comstock Lode era, Steve Frady’s book Red Shirts and Leather Helmets offers an in-depth look at the history and heroism of those who faced the flames.