Well, folks, I must share "Aura Lee" with you, since the Victorian Days program is still going 'round in my head. A lovely song for around the campfire.

I checked the Virginia City website and thought I would share it with you, since it is the kind of history you would enjoy. The city started by being in Idaho Territory, then the Montana Territory was formed, encompassing Virginia City. It was a Confederate gold mining town during the Civil War, but came under the control of the Union Government. Talk about political controversy!

Here is the history of Virginia City, Montana.

The boardwalks are still there, the wooden and stone houses, and many were closed up with everything left inside - stores, offices, and houses. Not all was vandalized, because it was protected and preserved well enough for the town to remain intact. You can look in the windows and see clothing, furniture, etc that is original. The house I stayed overnight in had the interior walls exposed to the planks. There were pencil signatures with flourishes and dates from the 1800's on the wood walls, with two penciled penmanship doves.