A different kind of tunnel vision explored in upcoming Carson City Historical Society talk
A program about the history and local impact of the Sutro Tunnel will be presented free to members of the Carson City Historical Society and the public on Sunday, Sept. 25 from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Carriage House by Chris Pattison, project manager for the Friends of Sutro Tunnel, an organization that is working to restore the site as historically accurate as possible. Chris is also a board member for the Society.
The Sutro Tunnel is a tunnel connected to the Comstock Lode in Northern Nevada. It begins at Dayton, Nevada and connects 3.88 miles Northwest to the Savage mine in Virginia City, Nev.
The tunnel was proposed by Adolph Sutro, a Prussian Jewish mining entrepreneur, in 1860. He promoted the drainage tunnel to allow access to deeper mineral exploration in the Comstock. Flooding and inadequate pumps had inhibited some exploration until that time.
By 1865, Sutro's idea had gained the approval of state and federal governments. The mining interests of the Comstock initially supported the project, but later opposed the idea. They feared that an alternate access point to the Comstock minerals would threaten their monopoly on the mining and milling of gold and silver in the Comstock.
Nonetheless, Sutro formed the Sutro Tunnel Company, selling stock certificates to raise funds for its construction, which began in 1869. Financing also came from local miners motivated by the prospect of improved mine safety. This motivation was further advocated by Sutro after the Yellowjacket mine disaster where dozens of miners were burned to death because they could not escape.
There will also be the unique opportunity to meet and listen to several residents who lived in the area of the Sutro Tunnel, and offer some photos of that life.
This event is free to members and guests but advance reservations for seats will be required by calling Paula at 775-887-8665.