Victor, “City of Gold Mines”

Nestled on the side of Battle Mountain, the town of Victor was first settled when gold was discovered there in the late 1900s. At its peak around the turn of the century, Victor produced $10 billion of mined gold in 2010 dollars and boasted a population of 18,000 residents. In 1899, the center of town caught fire, leveling the entire business district in a five-hour fire. The business district was rebuilt and as a result, many of Victor’s incredibly preserved buildings–including the Victor Hotel and the Black Monarch, then known as the Monarch–date to 1899. 

While mining is still active in Victor, a few factors led to the population dwindling to the sleepy town that it is now, about 400 residents: depleted ore mines, the infamous labor wars, and WWI claiming many of its miners. The town stands at 10,000 feet elevation and is now known for its well-preserved Gold Rush charm. It boasts hiking trails, museums, gold mining experiences, and unique getaways like the Black Monarch Hotel.