Virginia City’s Historic Fourth Ward School
A short history of the most awesome Fourth Ward School (paraphrased from Susan James on fourthwardschool.org):
Built in 1876 (designed by architect C. M. Bennett in the Second Empire style of architecture) to honor the nation’s centennial, the majestic four-story building could hold over 1000 students, and boasted state-of-the-art heating, ventilation, and sanitation systems, as well as water piped to all four floors. Situated at the south end of Virginia City’s C Street, students of all grades, up to ninth grade, attended the school. By 1909, the Fourth Ward added tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades. Due to the decline of mining, the population dwindled, and less than 200 students remained by the mid 1930’s. After Storey County built a new middle school, with federal “New Deal” funds, the Fourth Ward School closed its doors after it’s last seniors graduated in 1936.
The building fell into disrepair and remained closed. With State grants in 1964 and 1984 the abandoned building was conserved, and in 1986, with a grant from the Nevada Humanities Committee, a museum was opened in the old Fourth Ward School.
The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum is a Distinctive Destination of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Fourth Ward School is open from May 1st through October 31st. Daily 10 am-5 pm. $5 Adults, $3 Children from 6-12, Children under 6 are free with an adult. Free entry for members.
CONGRATS to The clowns fly @ 3.. on the FTF!!
****ONTO THE GEOCACHE!!!!****
Container is a medium sized plastic jar that I won at this year’s Leap Year Event held in Wingfield Park in Reno. LOTS of room for swag!!! FTF will receive TWO passes to the Fourth Ward School Museum! It’s an awesome place, so please go visit! Cache is available at all times. Please hide better than how you found it. VERY HIGH MUGGLE AREA…please be very careful. Thanks and have fun in one of my favorite towns!