Nevada is well known for its historic past. Luckily, we’re able to learn about the Silver State's historic past by viewing old photos and/or visiting historic landmarks. There’s no denying that the state of Nevada has changed greatly since the late 1800s. For example, the 10 historic photos listed below showcase some of Nevada’s iconic landmarks and what they looked like during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
1. Hoover Dam - 1935
Hoover Dam was built during the Great Depression, and approximately one million people visit this historic landmark each year. Pictured: "The upstream face of Hoover Dam is slowly disappearing as Lake Mead fills."
2. Rhyolite Ghost Town - 1908
The town of Rhyolite began on August 4, 1904 when Frank "Shorty" Harris and Ernest L. Cross discovered gold. At one time, Rhyolite had more than 10,000 residents. Today, it's Nevada's most famous ghost town. Pictured: Cook Bank Building
3. The Town of Genoa - 1940
In 1851, the first permanent settlement in Nevada was made in Genoa.
4. Nevada Northern Railway - 1910
The Nevada Northern Railway was constructed during 1905-06 for one primary reason: to reach a major copper producing area in White Pine County.
5. Piper's Opera House - 1937
Towards the end of the 19th-century, Piper's Opera House, located in Virginia City, was one of the centers of cultural activity in the Comstock and the West. Many theatrical tours stopped here during the last half of the 19th-century and the beginning of the 20th-century. Piper's Opera House is believed to be haunted.
6. Pioneer Saloon - 1913
Built in 1913, the Pioneer Saloon is believed to be the nation's oldest stamped-metal building still standing.
7. Comstock Lode / Alta Mine Mill - 1896
In 1859, America’s largest silver deposit, the Comstock Lode, was discovered in Nevada.
8. Nevada State Capitol - 1875
The Nevada State Capitol is located in Carson City and was built during the years 1869-71.
9. Virginia City Main Street - 1940
Here's what Virginia City's Main Street looked like in 1940. Today, it's known as the "Virginia City Historic District."
10. Tonopah Mining Park (now a historic site) - 1904
The Tonopah Historic Mining Park is situated on the site of the original mining claims that's responsible for the rush to Tonopah, making it the "Queen of the Silver Camps."
Are you familiar with these 10 iconic landmarks? Judging by these photos, which landmark do you believe has changed the most in appearance over the past century?
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