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At top of map: 'Compliments of the Forward Mining Development Co.' On left and right margins: 'The Patrick Investment Company, Fiscal Agents.' At bottom of map: '19 Toltec Block, Denver, Colorado.' 'The Williamson-Haffner Co., Denver.' Relief shown by hachures. Properties owned by Patrick Investment Company are marked in red. Shows railroads, roads, and pipelines. Scale [ca. 1:39,000. 1 in. to approx. 3,250 feet].

The mountains near Virginia City, Nevada. Virga can be seen falling from the clouds. Like many cities and towns in Nevada, Virginia City was a mining boomtown; it developed virtually overnight as a result of miners rushing to the Comstock Lode silver strike of 1859 on the eastern slopes of Mount Davidson. But, Virginia City far surpassed all others for its peak of population, technological advancements developed there, and for providing the population base upon which Nevada qualified for statehood. The riches of the Comstock Lode inspired men to hunt for silver mines throughout Nevada and other parts of the American West. At its peak, Virginia City had a population of over 25,000 residents and was called the richest city in America. Dominated by San Francisco moneyed interests, Virginia City was heralded as the sophisticated interior partner of San Francisco. “San Francisco on the coast and Virginia City inland” became the mantra of west coast Victorian entrepreneurs. Early Virginia City settlers were in large part the backwash from San Francisco and the California Gold Rush, ten years before. Mine owners who made a killing in the Comstock mines spent most of their wealth in San Francisco.