Resident Information

Storey County, Nevada is located in the northwestern region of the “Silver State" and nestled in beautiful, high desert mountain ranges that are covered with a nice blend of pinion, juniper, and sage brush--where wild horses roam free. Once founded as a gold and silver mining camp in 1859, remnants of the boom era live on today in perfect harmony with modern conveniences.

Historic Storey County
Created as part of the Nevada territory during the boom of the gold and silver mining era in 1861, many of Storey County’s historic buildings in Virginia City/Gold Hill have been carefully maintained or restored to retain their historic integrity. Also making it easy to get lost in history in Storey County are:

• Art and theatre
• Museums
• Old-time events such as:
  • Gun fights
  • Historic saloons
  • Historical impersonations
  • Mansions
  • Mines
  • Train rides on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad
• Unique-shopping

Picturesque Scenes
Storey County also offers a photographer’s delight with numerous remnants of shanty towns and mining camps that have stood the test of time and contrast beautifully against the landscape of the high desert. Today, Storey County hosts a variety of lively celebrations including:

• 4th of July Celebrations
• Camel Races
• Chili Cook-Offs
• Christmas Events
• Outhouse Races

Modern Advances
Virginia City has been the county seat since its founding and is now home to many of the county’s 4,000 plus residents. The county is approximately 262-square-miles, making it the 2nd smallest county in Nevada. But don’t let its small size fool you!

Storey County represents the majority of new industrial land for future economic growth in Northern Nevada. Plus, the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRI), one of the largest (104,000 acres) and most technologically and environmentally sophisticated industrial parks in the country, is helping to expand Storey County from one of the most popular National Historic Landmarks to also a powerful business center for Nevada into the 21st century.

Storey County’s Communities

Virginia City
With each and every creak of the 146+ year old wooden boardwalks, a stroll through Virginia City’s living museums and unique shops takes you back to a 19th-century charm that has remained intact.

By the mid-1870s, this cosmopolitan city had an opera house (Piper’s Opera House, which is listed by the League of Historic Theaters), stylish hotels, a railroad, and more than 100 saloons.In 1863, a young Samuel Clemens began his writing career as a reporter for The Territorial Enterprise under the pen name of Mark Twain.

In its heyday, Virginia City had more than 25,000 residents, and today is home to 1,200 people.

Gold Hill
During your visit to Virginia City, be sure to make a stop at adjacent Gold Hill. Here you’ll discover the famous, historic Gold Hill Hotel where visitors enjoy fine-dining while also getting a taste of what life was like back in the 19th and early 20th century. At the peak of mining activity, Gold Hill was home to over 8,000 gold and silver miners. Today, roughly 200 residents reside in the small community.

River District
This area of the county includes the communities of Lockwood, Painted Rock, Rainbow Bend, and McCarran and is nestled along the beautiful Truckee River and surrounding hillsides. Reno and Sparks are a quick 5 mile drive west on I-80.

Mark Twain
This community is located just east of Virginia City at the base of Six Mile Canyon. Surrounded by the rustic beauty of the high desert and the dramatic elevation shifts of the surrounding mountains, this community offers convenient access to the U.S. Highway 50 corridor. Residents here enjoy a quiet lifestyle coupled with ease in accessing a major roadway connecting them to Dayton, Carson City, and beyond.

Virginia Highlands
This upscale area located between Virginia City and Reno on Geiger Grade offers residents custom homes on parcels ranging from 1-acre to 40-acres. The Virginia Highlands provide limitless views of clear blue sky and the ideal backdrop for riding horses and enjoying the outdoors.

Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center Area
In recent years, several companies have established a presence at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center in the River District, including:

• Alcoa
• APL Logistics
• Distributors of Dell Computers
• Golden Gate Petroleum
• James Hardie
• Kal Kan Pet Foods
• Royal Sierra Extrusions
• Other major national companies

There are wide open spaces between the residential and commercial areas of this district - providing a perfect blend for both environments.