Nevada is a state rich in history. Even before its inception at the 36th state on 31 October 1864, the Silver State has a rich and illustrious history. Known for gold and silver mining, the construction of the Hoover Dam, and gambling, Nevada is quite interesting and has been fairly well documented on film. Here are 16 of the oldest photographs ever taken of Nevada and they are, truly, incredible.
- Looking down Carson Street from the Carson City Plaza, circa 1864-65.
Lawrence and Houseworth/Western Nevada Historic Photo Collection
- Wells Fargo and Company Express Bank, Virginia City, 1866.
Lawrence and Houseman/Library of Congress via Comstock Foundation for History and Culture/Facebook
- Gold Hill, circa 1867-68.
Timothy H. O’Sullivan/Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- The town of Ophir as seen from Cedar Hill, circa 1870s.
Comstock Society for History and Culture/Facebook
- Nevada State Capitol, Carson City, 1875.
Wikimedia Commons
- The Williams Rodda House in Gold Hill, circa 1880.
Comstock Foundation for History and Culture/Facebook
- The Alta Mine, Virginia City, circa late 1880s.
Comstock Foundation for History and Culture/Facebook
- National Guardsmen in Lousetown, circa 1890s.
Comstock Foundation for History and Culture/Facebook
- The Sutro Tunnel, Lyon County, 1896.
Unknown Photographer/Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Main Street, Goldfield, circa 1904.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Burro race in Rhyolite, 4 July 1908.
Orange County Archives/Flickr
- The original “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, circa 1929. This sign was subsequently dismantled in 1931.
Vintage Las Vegas/Facebook
- Hoover Dam, mid-construction, 24 February 1934.
Bureau of Reclamation Photographer/Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Gold Hill’s Liberty Fire House, 1937.
Robert W. Kerrigan/Western Nevada Historic Photo Collection
- C Street in Virginia City, March 1937.
Robert W. Kerrigan/Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Storey County Jail, Virginia City, 1937.
Robert W. Kerrigan/Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
There you go—some of the oldest photographs ever taken in Nevada. It’s truly amazing how these places have changed over the years—and how some no longer exist. Please share your comments (and photos if you happen to have any) below.
Lawrence and Houseworth/Western Nevada Historic Photo Collection
Lawrence and Houseman/Library of Congress via Comstock Foundation for History and Culture/Facebook
Timothy H. O’Sullivan/Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
Comstock Society for History and Culture/Facebook
Wikimedia Commons
Comstock Foundation for History and Culture/Facebook
Unknown Photographer/Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
Orange County Archives/Flickr
Vintage Las Vegas/Facebook
Bureau of Reclamation Photographer/Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
Robert W. Kerrigan/Western Nevada Historic Photo Collection
Robert W. Kerrigan/Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
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