It goes without saying that Mark Twain is one of America’s most famous and influential writers of all time. In addition to penning classics like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and Following the Equator (1897), Twain was a well-traveled man, too. He visited places both lesser-known and iconic all across the nation. However, did you know that Virginia City, Nevada was once home to Mark Twain? The Silver State called his name, and Twain couldn’t help but see what Nevada was all about!
Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) was born in Florida, Missouri on November 30, 1835. As a boy, Twain was drawn to printing and worked as a printer’s apprentice at the age of 11. He discovered his love of humor and submitted numerous articles and sketches to a newspaper called the Hannibal Journal.
The future author was mainly self-taught, educating himself by reading books at local public libraries. He eventually joined the International Typographical Union. In the early years of his career, he moved many times, living in the northeast and St. Louis.
Though he was trained professionally as a printer, he had a keen interest in becoming a steamboat captain. He worked on the steamboat Pennsylvania along the Mississippi river until the start of the Civil War.
Mark Twain enlisted for a short period in the Confederate unit during the Civil War.
Advertisement
Mark Twain, along with his brother, Orion, decided after his short stint with the military to trek across the Midwest. For three weeks, the brothers traveled through Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and the Great Plains.
He would become a miner on the Comstock Lode. However, this was proven unsuitable and an unsuccessful career move for Twain.
Mark Twain eventually went back to his calling and began writing for a Virginia City Newspaper called the Territorial Enterprise. This is where the name, Mark Twain, was born! Remarkably, the author first coined his pen name while working as a writer for the newspaper in Nevada.
In many places, you can find the name Mark Twain in Virginia City and Carson City! Like the Mark Twain Elementary School in Carson City or the Mark Twain Park and a Community City in Dayton, Nevada. There’s even a storage facility named after the famous writer.
One of the best places to learn more about Mark Twain and the years he spent residing in the Silver State is by visiting The Way It Was Museum in Virginia City.
The Mark Twain Saloon took on the name to honor the great author in 1971. Inside, patrons find gambling machines, memorabilia, and great drinks set in an old-timey establishment.
Don't forget to see the Orion Clemens House in Carson City. This house gives fans another fantastic opportunity to learn more about Mark Twain’s Nevada years.
The Victorian house was built in 1862 by Twain’s brother, Orion Clemens. Mark Twain was known to have visited the house often. At this time, there are no known tours. However, the Orion Clemens House can be viewed from the adjacent street and is private property.
In conclusion, Nevada may not have been the birthplace of Samuel Clemens, but the state was home to Mark Twain’s pen name! Visit Virginia City and Carson City to discover the history and influences left behind by the great author.
Do you have a favorite celebrity that hails from Nevada? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
