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King--McBride Mansion
Photo by Terri McBride,
Courtesy of Nevada State Historic Preservation Office |
The King--McBride mansion is an excellent example of High Italianate
architecture, replete with bay windows and a widow's walk. The King--McBride
mansion was built about 1870 by George Anson King, a banker who established
the Nevada Bank of San Francisco in Virginia City, and served as director
of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. It is believed to have been designed
by architect Charles H. Jones, who designed a nearly identical house,
the Rinckel Mansion, in Carson City. The three-story
wood-framed building incorporates two bays flanking the central portico
and an irregular floorplan, elaborate walnut staircase, marble fireplaces
and 19th-century clear glass skylight.
Exterior and interior views of the
mansion from 1937
Photos by Robert W. Kerrigan, Library of Congress, Prints and
Photographs Division, Historic American Buildings Survey, Reproduction
Numbers HABS, NEV,15-VIRG,28-1; 28-3; and 28-8 |
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Several famous and wealthy Comstock residents owned homes near George
King's mansion, including Bonanza king John Mackay, banker J. P. Martin,
Judge Richard Rising and mine superintendent Charles Forman. King's home
was spared in the Great Fire of 1875, while these others burned to the
ground. Judge Rising rented the King mansion in the 1880s (the King family
returned to San Francisco), and in 1890 it was deeded to the Catholic
Church. The Church leased the mansion to a series of renters, including
silent screen actress Bobbette Simpson. In 1944, it was leased to Halvor
and Virginia Smedesrude, who operated it as the Bonanza Inn, which served
as an elegant retreat for eastern socialites waiting their six-week residency
period for a Nevada divorce. In 1953, the property was sold to Versal
McBride, owner of Virginia City's Bucket of Blood Saloon on C Street.
The King--McBride Mansion is located at 26/28 Howard St. in Virginia
City. Still in the McBride family, it is a private residence and is
not open to the public.
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