Long before skyscrapers dominated America’s skyline, the country was rife with rough and remote mining towns that were built on industrial ambition. These settlements weren’t just a collection of saloons and log cabins. They were the epicentre of industry, entrepreneurship, and a symbol of westward expansion.
From the Gold Rush to the coal boom, these towns shaped the country and married prospecting with engineering and entrepreneurship. They still stand as a testament to U.S. ingenuity and offer a glimpse into the country’s history and innovation.
Today, exploring America’s historic mining towns lets you experience the nation’s early and impressive accomplishments, and witness entire communities that were born from the promise of what was in the ground beneath their feet.
Virginia City, Nevada
Few U.S. mining towns were more significant to the country’s development than Virginia City. It was quickly developed after the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859. This remote town was one of the most vital economic engines of the 19th century. Its silver financed banks and railroads, and helped cities develop and expand westward…