Silver Terrace Cemetery

As part of the Virginia City National Historic Landmark, the Silver Terrace Cemetery preserves burial plots dating back to the 1860s. It is made up of a series of terraces that overlook the city from a steep, windswept hillside. Most of the individuals buried here were not native Nevadans. Represented are diverse groups of people Irish, Welsh, Italian, German, Chinese, Mexican, and others who came to the area as prospectors, seeking their fortunes by mining the Comstock Lode.

Most of the plots are surrounded by fences or borders, some quite ornate or showing traces of their original paint. There were designed to look like miniature gardens, which was a common practice during the Victorian era, although most have fallen into disrepair over the past century. The materials used for the grave markers vary from stone to wood and metal.

Silver Terrace Cemetery is located northeast of the C Street business district at the end of North E Street, Virginia City, Nevada 89440. It is open year-round from dawn till dusk; closed to the public after dark. There is no charge for admission, but hour-long guided tours are available daily tours for $5 per person or $2 each for groups of students.