Boot Hill

Otherwise known as the Silver Terrace Cemeteries, once described as the "Most beautiful burial grounds in the State of Nevada."

Dan and I have often wandered through old cemeteries around PA, and this was an opportunity to see a real western one while we were in Virginia city.

The boots pictured on the left are my new cowgirl boots that I wore yesterday.



This is a view of Virginia City looking southwest from the near top of the cemetery. Many of the plots were surrounded by beautiful ironwork fences.

This cemetery, like others around the country, were viewed as a place to go for a "meditative promenade". Cemeteries, in this period of history were places of quiet contemplation, to be out of doors and enjoy nature. The garden cemeteries were the forerunners of municipal parks. (from the Comstock Cemetery Foundation literature)


Here is another example of some of the beautiful ironwork. Back in the day, the cemetery was beautiful, with manicured landscapes, laced with soft grasses, planted trees and flowers.

The pioneers of the Comstock mastered the problem of water in the early 1870's, at the cost of over two thousand dollars. This kept the grounds lush and green, in contrast to the surrounding mountain landscape.

I was fascinated with the division of land for various groups of people. Some of the largest, and highest plots were for different orders of Masons, Oddfellows, Knights and other protestant Fraternal organizations. The Catholics were put in the back on the down slope of the property. Further down the hill were areas for Italians, Irish, Chinese and other ethnic groups. Waaaayy down the hill and far away, the Madams and their girls were buried. Supposedly because the women folks still didn't want them anywhere near their men!


As you can see by this last photo, the cemetery is no longer so plush. It's interesting that the caretakers have left this old dead tree next to someones plot. We noticed many trees like that, some inside the plot, but long gone. The monument at the top of the hill is for Captain Storey, for who Storey county was named. His is by far the largest monument.

Climbing the hill and walking the cemetery grounds was my "walk" for the day.