Discovery of Silver and Gold Transforms Nevada Territory
Modern mining began in Nevada in 1849 with the discovery of placer gold in a stream flowing into the Carson River near the present town of Dayton. The discovery of the Comstock Lode, the first major silver find in the United States, becomes public and the “Rush to Washoe” begins. Silver mining in Nevada began in 1858 with the discovery of the Comstock Lode, the first major silver-mining district in the United States. The Comstock Lode is a mineral deposit under Virginia City, Nevada. It was discovered in June 1859 and named after Henry Comstock. It was massive, representing more precious metals than all other deposits combined.
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