At its peak, the population of Virginia City was nearly 30,000. Today, about 1,000 people live in the town, which is 35 minutes south of Reno.
At the B Street House Bed and Breakfast, innkeepers Chris and Carolyn Eichin are working to keep some of that history alive. The B&B, originally built in 1875, was falling apart when the Eichins purchased it in 2004.
After a lengthy renovation project, the inn opened with three guest rooms in 2007. The Eichins have been recognized by both the state of Nevada and the U.S. Department of the Interior for the restoration work.
The Eichins answered a few questions for us about the B Street House Bed and Breakfast in Virginia City, Nevada.
Please tell us a little about your inn's history.
We opened our inn in September of 2007 after an almost three-year restoration of the historic Henry Piper house. Henry worked with his older brothers on the Piper's Opera House and saloon. The Opera House was one of the most important theatres in the late 1800s in the western United States. Henry attained notoriety as City Treasurer, Alderman, and State Assemblyman.
How do you make a stay at B Street House B&B special?
As the most authentic B&B in Virginia City, our guests step back in time to the elegance of the old West. Located 120 steps from Piper's Opera House and a short half-block from downtown, guests can explore the charming mining town with many museums, mine tours, cemetery, saloons and shops within walking distance of the B Street House.
What are some of the attractions in the Virginia City area that you would rate as must-see?
The Fourth Ward School Museum is a must-see as a rare example of a four-story, empire-style 1876 school. Mark Twain wrote for the local Territorial Enterprise newspaper during its heyday and there is a museum and book store dedicated to his years here.
What are some of B Street House’s unique features?
Our largest guest room, the Sam Davis room, features a 100-mile view into central Nevada. Furnished in shades of blue, we offer a handmade quilt, fine luxury amenities, fluffy towels, and 400-thread count sheets.
We also have a large library and restful gardens for our guests' use.
What might a guest at B Street House expect to have for breakfast?
We serve a full gourmet breakfast with a selection of juices, home baked pastries, fresh egg dishes, specialty potatoes and sausage. A typical breakfast includes B Street House signature scones, homemade European-style berry strudel, herb shirred eggs, dilly red potatoes, and gourmet chicken-apple breakfast sausage.
Guests can enjoy a cup of morning coffee in the five-pane bay window and read the local newspapers.
Why did you decide to become innkeepers?
Carolyn always wanted to have her own B&B and Chris always wanted to build his own home, so the restoration project at the B Street House answered both desires.
We love meeting guests and chatting about our lives and learning from our guests' experiences. Chris is from Switzerland and speaks German and French, a plus with foreign tourists. We love innkeeping and helping guests enjoy the history of Virginia City, one of the largest and most important cities in the western United States in the 1860s.
