Nevada Appeal at 150: Feb. 3, 1940: Historic building in Virginia City collapses

One-third of National Guard Hall, one of the oldest and most famous buildings in Nevada, collapsed with a deafening crash at midnight.

The ancient building, which had been condemned last year, gave way in the south and east walls all at once, and three stories of masonry which had stood since the early 1870s caved in. The Virginia Hotel, which was separated from the hall by a vacant lot, was shaken by the crash, and debris poured into the vacant lot and out on D Street, dust rising in a huge cloud over the entire neighborhood.

Police were keeping spectators away, fearing the remainder of the building would give way. The entire city was awakened by the noise of the cave-in. No one was in the building or injured by falling masonry, it was believed.

This continues the Appeal’s review of news stories and headlines during its Sesquicentennial year.