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Comstock Lode
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=== Transportation === [[File:Peep at Washoe - Carambo! Caraja!.jpg|thumb|"Carambo!—Caraja!—Sacramento!—Santa Maria!—Diavolo!": the difficult trek by mule train from California (1860 illustration from ''[[Harper's]]'')]] Before railroads were built, all freight and passengers were transported by teams of from 10 to 16 horses or mules. Ore was hauled to the mills by these teams, which also brought to the mines all the lumber required for construction among other things. [[Dan DeQuille]] observed in 1876, "the Comstock Lode may truthfully be said to be the tomb of the forests of the Sierra."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.historynet.com/square-set-timbering-v-flume-kept-comstock-lode-running-strong/ |title=Square-Set Timbering and the V-Flume Kept the Comstock Lode Running Strong |last=Straka |first=Tom |last2=Wynn |first2=Bob |date=January 17, 2018 |website=History.net |publisher=HistoryNet LLC |access-date=December 27, 2022 |quote=The Comstock Lode may truthfully be said to be the tomb of the Sierras. Millions upon millions of feet of lumber are annually buried in the mines, nevermore to be resurrected. When once it is planted in the lower levels, it never again sees the light of day. …For a distance of 50 or 60 miles, all the hills of the eastern slope of the Sierras have been to a great extent denuded of trees of every kind; those suitable only for wood as well those fit for the manufacture of lumber for use in the mines.}}</ref> It is estimated eighty million feet of timber and lumber annually were consumed in the Comstock. Lumber and cord wood were harvested with little regard for impact, for housing, commercial building, heating, and steam boilers at sawmills and ore mills.<ref>(Va. City Territorial Enterprise)</ref> Teams also hauled over the Sierra all the mining machinery, all supplies required by both mines and mills, as well as goods and merchandise needed by the stores and businesses. Each team hauled trains of two to four wagon loads. When the large reduction works of the Ophir Mining Company were in peak operation, lines of teams from one to three miles (5 km) in length moved along the wagon roads, and sometimes blocked Virginia City streets for hours. From 1859 to 1868, great quantities of goods were transported across the Sierra to and from California on the backs of mules. When the [[Central Pacific Railroad]] line was completed to the [[Truckee Meadows]], this hauling was bi-directional from Reno to Virginia City via the [[Nevada State Route 341|Geiger Grade]] wagon road, for transfer to rail for delivery to points east and west.<ref name=Smith/>{{rp|37–38,127}} Ground was broken on the [[Virginia and Truckee Railroad]] on February 18, 1869, and by January 28, 1870, the most difficult "crookedest" section from Virginia City to Carson City was completed. Rails were extended north across the [[Washoe Valley]], from Carson City to Reno, where it connected with the Central Pacific.<ref name=Smith/>{{rp|123–125}} Between Virginia City and Carson City, at Mound House, the railroad also connected with the [[Carson and Colorado Railroad]].
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