POPULATION 15,000
Even though Dayton is the oldest city in the state and has a significant population, like many other cities in Nevada, it is not incorporated. History buffs and Wild West enthusiasts will find a wealth of intriguing relics from the past in Dayton, the site of Nevada’s first gold discovery. In addition to gold mining, this is the location where the world’s largest deposit of silver, a staggering 1,200 foot long vein, was discovered that didn’t just fuel Nevada’s rise, it reshaped the entire global currency system. Dayton, which chose to make its historic downtown part of the Nevada Main Street program, is near a historic mining tunnel considered the greatest fete of mine engineering when it was built in the 1860s.
The system that diverted scalding water that could shoot out of the mountain from underground hot springs when a vein was pierced was pumped out before getting to the miners, was copied all over the world and celebrated as a major gain in mine safety. The tunnel, now being being restored, will connect Dayton back to Virginia City as it did during the heyday of mining in the 1860s. Supported by funding from the Nevada Department of Commerce/Travel Nevada’s Destination Development Department (3D) program, we developed a 10-year plan encompassing a roadmap to accomplish the placemaking, restoration, and enhancements needed to accomplish the whole effort of bringing economic development to the area, while at the same time illustrating the ability to promote portions of the area and attractions more quickly.
The Vision for the Future focused on:
• Historic Building Revitalization – Transforming landmarks into economically productive spaces
• National Historic Park Development – Showcasing the rich legacy and engineering marvels of the region
• Sutro Tunnel and Mining Innovation – Preserving the site that revolutionized mining worldwide
• World Heritage Site Ambition – Elevating Virginia City’s legacy to the highest level of global recognition
The ultimate goal of the plan was to enable the Virginia City Historic Landmark District of which Dayton is a part to be designated a World Heritage Site, while also putting it on a path toward renewed economic vitality. This is more than history—it’s the foundation of Nevada’s future. Honoring the past while shaping what comes next.
