Virginia City vs Bonanza: A Tale of Merging Histories

A fun and informative exploration of how the classic television series Bonanza differs from the reality of Virginia City, Nevada.
In 1959, one hundred years after the big bonanza silver strike in Virginia City, the classic television series Bonanza made its debut and brought the small Nevada city to the forefront of households around the country, and into many parts of the world. The richest city in the world at the time of the Comstock Lode, Virginia City today might well be a ghost town if not for the fame spurred by Bonanza. The show was so popular that it went on to air for thirteen years and even spawned a theme park.
Historical accuracy was of great import to Bonanza?s creator, but as the series evolved, it took on a life of its own beyond the boundaries of real-life Virginia City. In Virginia City vs Bonanza: A Tale of Merging Histories, Monette Bebow-Reinhard explores select history from the show?s legendary storylines and compares it to the real history of nineteenth-century Virginia City. Readers