Miner’s Union Hall

November 8, 1952. This is the Miner's Union Hall, on the right, and the Moran Building on the left. Both of these structures were built to replace buildings that had burned in the Great Fire of 1875. In fact, few buildings survived that great blaze; the house you see in the back was also built atop the ruins of one that wasn't so lucky.

The Miner's Union fought for safety and a living wage for Virginia City's miners. They used this hall to hold their meetings. By the mid 20th century, the miners were gone and most of the town was falling apart in disrepair. These two buildings were no different.

June 19, 2004. Like most of Virginia City, these buildings are seeing better days now. The Moran Building was taken over by a local E Clampus Vitus chapter, and the Miner's Union Hall is the Comstock Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Basically they're both empty right now, just being used as storage and meeting space.