A sign in the Silver Queen reads:

"The Silver Queen will endeavor to explain what Virginia City was like in 1878 by listing some of the various businesses that existed and helped to make it a great city. The great fire of 1875 destroyed over 300 businesses at that time. By the next three years, it had been built up larger than before, with a population of about 30,000 people. There were over 90 mines in operation. The Consolidated Virginia, Best & Belcher, Crown Point, and Ophir were some of the big producers. There were 4 daily newspapers, two weekly, one was in Gold Hill. Of these, the Territorial Enterprise, was the most influential paper in Nevada. The Storey County Courthouse, still standing, was built at a cost of $150,000. The Silver Queen, on your right, was not planned as a showpiece. Instead, it is a tribute to the Virginia City of long ago. The Queen consists of 3,261 silver dollars and 28 twenty dollar gold pieces. Virginia City had one of the west's finest water systems, cost $7,000,000. It siphoned 30 miles across Washoe Valley. They had 6 schools, 7 churches, 11 cemeteries, 4 banks, 100 saloons, 20 hotels, about 25 lodges, and numerous grocery & clothing stores. Piper's Opera House, still standing, had some of the finest entertainment in the world. Seats were as high as $100 each. The V&T Railroad was once one of the most profitable railroads in the world."

"We sincerely hope you enjoyed your visit and come back to see us many times."