Nevada State Route 341
Encyclopedia
State Route 341 is a state highway
in western Nevada
connecting US 50
(US 50) near Dayton
to Reno
via Virginia City
. Commonly known as the Virginia City Highway, or Geiger Grade north of Virginia City, the route has origins dating back to the 1860s.
in Lyon County
between Mound House and Dayton
, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to the west of the latter. From this intersection, the highway proceeds north towards its south junction with SR 342
near Silver City
. From here, SR 341 veers eastward around Silver City and Gold Hill
, proceeds up the Occidental Grade, and bridges over the Virginia & Truckee Railroad
at the site of that line's daylighted
Tunnel #5 before reconnecting with SR 342 on the south side of Virginia City
. The highway runs along C Street as it travels northward through Virginia City. SR 341 leaves Virginia City and travels northerly and westerly through winding sections on both sides of Geiger Summit. The highway then terminates just north of Steamboat
at Tahoe Junction, a major signalized intersection with South Virginia Street/Carson-Reno Highway (SR 430
, presently signed as US 395
) and the Mount Rose Highway (SR 431
).
The Nevada Department of Transportation
refers to the entire route (except the portion between the SR 342 junctions, which is known locally as the Occidental Grade) as the Comstock Highway.
The highway is also known as Geiger Grade between Virginia City and Tahoe Junction, though parts of its modern-day alignment deviate from the original alignment of the old stagecoach route.
and the Reno area.
The road appears on highway maps dating back to at least 1919. However, it wasn't until 1929 that the route first appeared as State Route 17 on official Nevada highway maps. The original road was replaced with the present-day paved highway alignment in 1936.
The highway appears to have remained largely unchanged until the 1970s. In the Nevada state highway renumbering that began in 1976, the entirety of State Route 17 was reassigned to present-day SR 341; this change first appears on the 1978-79 version of the official state map.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in western Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
connecting US 50
U.S. Route 50 in Nevada
U.S. Route 50 is a transcontinental highway in the United States, stretching from Sacramento, California in the west to Ocean City, Maryland on the east coast. The Nevada portion crosses the center of state and was named The Loneliest Road in America by Life magazine in July 1986...
(US 50) near Dayton
Dayton, Nevada
Dayton is a census-designated place in Lyon County, Nevada, United States. The population was 5,907 at the 2000 census.-History:Dayton is at the western end of the Twenty-Six Mile Desert at a bend in the Carson River. Immigrants stopping there for water would consider whether to follow the river...
to Reno
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
via Virginia City
Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City is a census-designated place that is the county seat of Storey County, Nevada. It is part of the Reno–Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 855 at the 2010 Census.- History :...
. Commonly known as the Virginia City Highway, or Geiger Grade north of Virginia City, the route has origins dating back to the 1860s.
Route description
Nevada State Route 341 begins at a point along US 50U.S. Route 50 in Nevada
U.S. Route 50 is a transcontinental highway in the United States, stretching from Sacramento, California in the west to Ocean City, Maryland on the east coast. The Nevada portion crosses the center of state and was named The Loneliest Road in America by Life magazine in July 1986...
in Lyon County
Lyon County, Nevada
Lyon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2010 census, the population was 51,980. Its county seat is Yerington.-History:...
between Mound House and Dayton
Dayton, Nevada
Dayton is a census-designated place in Lyon County, Nevada, United States. The population was 5,907 at the 2000 census.-History:Dayton is at the western end of the Twenty-Six Mile Desert at a bend in the Carson River. Immigrants stopping there for water would consider whether to follow the river...
, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to the west of the latter. From this intersection, the highway proceeds north towards its south junction with SR 342
Nevada State Route 342
State Route 342 is a short state highway in Nevada, USA. It is a loop route of State Route 341, running north through the communities of Silver City and Gold Hill before returning to State Route 341 near Virginia City. This highway is a historic route, dating back to the Comstock Lode of the 1860s...
near Silver City
Silver City, Nevada
Silver City is a town in Lyon County, Nevada, USA, near the Lyon/Carson border. The population as of the 2000 census was 170....
. From here, SR 341 veers eastward around Silver City and Gold Hill
Gold Hill, Nevada
Gold Hill is a community in Storey County, Nevada, located just south and downhill of Virginia City. Incorporated December 17, 1862, in order to prevent its annexation by its larger neighbor, the town at one point was home to at least 8,000 residents. Prosperity was sustained for a period of 20...
, proceeds up the Occidental Grade, and bridges over the Virginia & Truckee Railroad
Virginia and Truckee Railroad
The Virginia and Truckee Railroad was built to serve the Comstock Lode mining communities of northwestern Nevada. At its height, the railroad's route ran from Reno south to Carson City, Nevada. In Carson City, the...
at the site of that line's daylighted
Daylighting (tunnels)
Daylighting a tunnel is to remove its "roof" or overlying rock and soil, thus exposing the railway or roadway to daylight. This could also be seen as converting the tunnel to a railway or roadway cut...
Tunnel #5 before reconnecting with SR 342 on the south side of Virginia City
Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City is a census-designated place that is the county seat of Storey County, Nevada. It is part of the Reno–Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 855 at the 2010 Census.- History :...
. The highway runs along C Street as it travels northward through Virginia City. SR 341 leaves Virginia City and travels northerly and westerly through winding sections on both sides of Geiger Summit. The highway then terminates just north of Steamboat
Steamboat Springs, Nevada
Steamboat Springs is a small volcanic field of rhyolitic lava domes and flows in western Nevada, USA, located south of Reno. There is extensive geothermal activity in the area, including numerous hot springs, steam vents, and fumaroles...
at Tahoe Junction, a major signalized intersection with South Virginia Street/Carson-Reno Highway (SR 430
Nevada State Route 430
State Route 430 is a major north–south state highway in Washoe County, Nevada which currently exists as two separate sections. South of Reno, the route follows the Carson-Reno Highway, and currently overlaps U.S. Route 395. In Reno, the highway follows Virginia Street, the primary...
, presently signed as US 395
U.S. Route 395 in Nevada
In the U.S. state of Nevada, U.S. Route 395 clips a corner of Nevada near Lake Tahoe and serves the cities of Gardnerville, Minden, Carson City and Reno. Most of US 395 north of Carson City is a freeway and is built up to Interstate standards. Part of the freeway section is also currently...
) and the Mount Rose Highway (SR 431
Nevada State Route 431
State Route 431 , commonly known as the Mount Rose Highway, is a 24.4 mile two lane highway in Washoe County, Nevada that connects Incline Village-Crystal Bay at Lake Tahoe with Reno. The highway, a Nevada Scenic Byway, takes its name from Mount Rose, which lies just off the highway...
).
The Nevada Department of Transportation
Nevada Department of Transportation
The Nevada Department of Transportation is a government agency in the U.S. state of Nevada. NDOT is responsible for maintaining and improving Nevada's highway system, which includes U.S. highways and Interstate highways within the state's boundaries. The department is notable for its...
refers to the entire route (except the portion between the SR 342 junctions, which is known locally as the Occidental Grade) as the Comstock Highway.
The highway is also known as Geiger Grade between Virginia City and Tahoe Junction, though parts of its modern-day alignment deviate from the original alignment of the old stagecoach route.
History
SR 341 began as a toll facility constructed by Davison M. Geiger and John H. Tilton in 1862. Despite the dangers associated with traveling the route, Geiger Grade was a well-traveled route that provided the most direction connection between the Comstock LodeComstock Lode
The Comstock Lode was the first major U.S. discovery of silver ore, located under what is now Virginia City, Nevada, on the eastern slope of Mount Davidson, a peak in the Virginia Range. After the discovery was made public in 1859, prospectors rushed to the area and scrambled to stake their claims...
and the Reno area.
The road appears on highway maps dating back to at least 1919. However, it wasn't until 1929 that the route first appeared as State Route 17 on official Nevada highway maps. The original road was replaced with the present-day paved highway alignment in 1936.
The highway appears to have remained largely unchanged until the 1970s. In the Nevada state highway renumbering that began in 1976, the entirety of State Route 17 was reassigned to present-day SR 341; this change first appears on the 1978-79 version of the official state map.
Major intersections
- Note: Mileposts in Nevada reset at county lines. The start and end mileposts for each county are given in the county column.