Experience the Legacy: Guided Tours at the Historic Donovan Mill

Step into Comstock history and explore the innovation that powered Nevada’s mining legacy.

Step Back in Time at the Donovan Mill: Experience the Power and Legacy of 1800s Comstock Millwrights


Experience the Donovan Mill
Step back in time and feel history come alive at the Donovan Mill. Hear the roar of working machinery, explore the world of 1800s millwrights, and see how innovation shaped the Comstock.


Check out the tours others have taken, find your group here, and share the adventure. Want to see what all the excitement is about? Come experience it for yourself and be part of preserving Virginia City’s legendary history!


Guided tours are available seasonally — book ahead or walk in! Every tour helps preserve this incredible site for future generations.

Past Visits

C. L. Yearzago, KNOWN TO BE A Keeper of the Tribal KnowledgeDiscover the forgotten “Tar Works” of Six Mile Canyon, recalled by John Bowie in 1946. Explore its history, pine tar production, and its...
California Brewery HB57, Virginia City Nevada 1800s
JUST LIKE AT&T….. MORE BARS IN MORE PLACESExplore Virginia City’s booming saloon scene in the 1860s, as described by Mark Twain in “Roughing It.” Discover the storied history of ...
This was the Comstock, Honest!C. LXII Yearzago, Keeper of the Tribal Knowledge This Was the Comstock, Honest! #7 HISTORIC LAWMEN OF VIRGINIA CITY C.L. Yearzago, local...
The Flag on top of Mt. DavidsonHistory of the pole and the flag on top of Mt. Davidson, Virginia City, Nevada
Bad Guys on the Comstock 1800 styleMost people interested in Comstock history never give much thought to the criminal activity that occurred here in the 1800's. Breaking n...
Preserving Comstock History and Culture for Over a DecadeSince 2013, we've been dedicated to preserving the rich history and vibrant culture of the Comstock.