Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Courtney Chauncey Julian
Courtney Chauncey Julian, C. C. Julian, was a businessman and shameless promoter who’s business dealings forced him to flee to California for China. He is noteworthy in his dealing in Death Valley National Park for his promotion of the town of Leadfield. After numerous court battles, he fled to Shanghai, China where he is poisoned or committed suicide.
C.C. Julian launched a newspaper blitz promoting his Julian Petroleum Corporation in 1923. The promotional blitz formed the basis for a ponzi scheme for investment into the JPC. The scandal became known as the “Julian Pete Scandal”. By 1927, it is estimated that Julian sold four million dollars in stock, which was stolen from his investors. Others estimate the value of the scheme at over eight million.
Drama followed the man, as he received death threats, however the nature of this threat is never resolved. It was reported by the United Press on Jan 4, 1924, that gun shots are fired threw the windows of his $100,000.00 house in Hollywood.
Perhaps one of his wierdest altercations came with famed film star Charles Chaplin. Just weeks after the shooting, Julian literally bumped into a table where Chaplin was eating at Club Petrouschka in Hollywood. A fight ensured and Chaplin got the better of Julian and knocked him out.
As one would expect from a thief, Julian had assets seized, by Collector of Internal Revenue, of $250,000.00 in cash and securities for failure to file is earnings from 1919-1923. He is able to maintain his house because it is deeded by his wife.
The end of Julian Petroleum Corporation stated in 1925. Julian sold his interest in the company to Sheridan C. (S.C.) Lewis and Jacob Berman for the sum on $500,000.00. The following year the company merged with California-Eastern Oil Company. An internal audit revealed the company had issued 4,200,000 unauthorized shares of stock. On May 5, 1927, the Los Angeles Stock Exchange halted trading in Julian Petroleum.
In 1931, Julian was charged with conspiracy to commit fraud in Oklahoma. He jumped bail and fled to country for Shanghai, China. Courtney Chauncey Julian is found dead of suicide in March, 1934.
This town was the brain child of C. C. Julian, who could have sold ice to an Eskimo. He wandered into Titus Canyon with money on his mind. He blasted some tunnels and liberally salted them with lead ore he had brought from Tonopah. Then he sat down and drew up some enticing, maps of the area. He moved the usually dry and never deep Amargosa River miles from its normal bed.
He drew pictures of ships steaming up the river hauling out the bountiful ore from his mines. Then he distributed handbills and lured Eastern promoters into investing money. Miners flocked in at the scent of a big strike and dug their hopeful holes. They built a few shacks. Julian was such a promoter he even conned the U. S. Government into building a post office here.
Desert Magazine – 1971 – Betty J. Tucker
References
William Brown – Virginia city saloon owner
William A.G. Brown was a notable African American entrepreneur and saloon owner in Virginia City, Nevada, during the height of the Comstock Lode silver mining boom.
Born free in Massachusetts (likely in the early 1830s, based on his reported age at death), Brown arrived in Virginia City around 1862 or 1863 amid the town’s explosive growth following the 1859 discovery of silver. Initially, he worked as a bootblack (a shoeshine operator) on the bustling streets of the mining camp.
By 1864, he had transitioned into business ownership, founding the Boston Saloon. This establishment primarily catered to the town’s African American community—numbering rarely more than about 100 people during the era—though it welcomed patrons of various backgrounds. Unlike many saloons of the time, the Boston Saloon stood out for its quality: archaeological excavations later revealed that Brown served finely prepared meals featuring premium cuts of meat, along with drinks, indicating a level of sophistication and success uncommon for Black-owned businesses in the 19th-century West.
The saloon operated for over a decade, with locations shifting several times (initially on B Street, later near D and Union Streets on the western, upslope side of town). Its final phase ran prominently from around 1866 to 1875. Brown sold the business shortly before the devastating Great Fire of 1875 ravaged Virginia City, destroying much of the town—including the Boston Saloon’s building.
After selling the saloon, Brown remained in the Comstock region. Records indicate he passed away in Virginia City in 1893 at the age of 63.
His legacy endured in obscurity for many years until the late 1990s and early 2000s, when archaeologists excavated the saloon’s site (now near the parking lot of the modern Bucket of Blood Saloon). The dig uncovered artifacts like fine dishware, gas lighting fixtures, and evidence of high-quality food service, shedding light on Black life and entrepreneurship in the Old West. In 2006, a rare 1880s photograph of Brown—discovered and acquired by a local bookstore owner—provided the only known image of him, depicting a sophisticated, well-dressed man.
William A.G. Brown exemplifies the resilience and economic ambition of free Black individuals in the frontier mining towns, contributing to Virginia City’s diverse historical tapestry alongside figures like Mark Twain, who also lived there briefly during the same era.
African Americans and the Boston Saloon – Nevada State Historic Marker
African Americans and the Boston Saloon – NSHM #266 is a Nevada State Historic Marker Located in Virginia City, Storey County, Nevada. Virginia City has eight Nevada State Historic Markers and a wonderful location to visit and dive deep into history.
Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.
William A G Brown, a freeman, moved to Nevada and started the Boston Saloon. The Boston Saloon was located at the intersection of D and Union Streets . The Virginia City newspaper, the Territorial Enterprise called the saloon a “popular resort for many of the colored population”
The saloon building is lost the great fire of 1875. The site of the saloon was subject of an archeological excavation in the year 2000.
NSHM #266 Text
Between 1866 and 1875, a remarkable business thrived in Virginia City. Free-born William A.G. Brown operated the Boston Saloon, serving Virginia City’s African Americans. Archaeologists have revealed that Brown offered his customers finely prepared meals with the best cuts of meat. Shortly after Brown sold his business, the great fire of 1875 swept through town and destroyed the building.
There were rarely more than one hundred African Americans living in Virginia City during its height in the 1860s, but they played varied and important roles in the community. Some African Americans pursued work as laborers, porters, and barbers. Others became affluent business owners, and a prominent doctor won widespread respect. By the 1870’s, African American children attended integrated schools. However, the decline of mining by 1880 sent many Nevadans, including African Americans, elsewhere. When mining in the state revived in the early 1900s, a shift at the federal, state, and local levels that implemented segregation via law or practice kept most African American families from returning to communities like Virginia City.
The site of the Boston Saloon is located uphill and to the left of this location at the corner of Union and D Streets now occupied by the Bucket of Blood Saloon parking lot.
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
DON MCBRIDE AND THE BUCKET OF BLOOD SALOON
RENO-SPARKS BRANCH OF THE NAACP, UNIT #1112
STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 266
Nevada State History Marker Summary
| Nevada State Historic Marker | 266 |
| Name | African Americans and the Boston Saloon |
| Location | Virginia City, Storey County, Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 39.3105, -119.6494 |
References
Savage Mansion – Nevada State Historic Marker
Savage Mansion is Nevada State Historic Marker #87 and located in Historic Virginia City, Storey County, Nevada. Virginia City is a wonderful little town to visit and home to Eight Nevada State Historic Markers. The structure is not a true mansion in terms of size or structure compared to many of the east coast mansions. The term mansion was applied to the structure for promotional purposes.
This elegant structure, designed in the French Second Empire style, served as a residence for the superintendent, as well as a mine office for the Savage Mining Company. Ulysses S. Grant spoke from the second floor balcony on October 27, 1879 after his term in office.
Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.
Nevada State Historic Marker #87
This elegant mansion, designed in the French Second Empire style, served as a residence for the superintendent, as well as a mine office for the Savage Mining Company. The first floor served as the mine office while the upper two stories provided a residence for many successful superintendents.
Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States and “General of the Armies,” spoke to the townspeople from the second floor balcony on October 27, 1879, after a town parade in his honor.
STATE HISTORIC MARKER No. 87
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
NEVADA LANDMARK SOCIETY
The marker is located in Virginia City, Nevada, in Storey County and found on North D Street. While travelling south on D Street the marker is found on the right side of the street near address: 146 North D Street, Virginia City NV 89440, United States of America.
Marker Summary
| Nevada State History Marker | 87 |
| Name | Savage Mansion |
| Location | Virginia City, Storey County Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 39.3054, -119.6511 |
References
Lava Point Campground
Lava Point Campground is a remote, backcountry campground located in the Kolob Terrace area of Zion National Park in Utah. Situated at an elevation of 7,890 feet, the campground offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the Zion Canyon and the Pine Valley Mountains.
Location and Access Lava Point Campground is located in the northwest section of Zion National Park, approximately 25 miles from the main entrance. To access the campground, visitors must take the Kolob Terrace Road, a scenic, winding road that climbs more than 2,000 feet in elevation over the course of 10 miles. The road is narrow and steep in places, and visitors should be prepared for challenging driving conditions.
Once at the campground, visitors will find 6 campsites, each with a picnic table and fire ring. There are no RV hookups, and generators are not allowed. The campground is open from May through October, weather permitting. Reservations are required and can be made up to six months in advance.
Amenities Lava Point Campground is a primitive campground, meaning there are no showers, running water, or flush toilets. Visitors must bring their own water or obtain it from a nearby water source, such as the North Creek or the nearby Lava Point Spring. Visitors must also pack out their trash and follow Leave No Trace principles.
Despite the lack of amenities, Lava Point Campground offers a unique camping experience for those seeking a backcountry adventure. The campground is situated in a ponderosa pine forest and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can relax in a peaceful, secluded environment and enjoy the quiet of nature.
Activities The Lava Point area of Zion National Park offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Hiking is a popular activity, and visitors can access a number of trails from the campground, including the West Rim Trail, which offers stunning views of the Zion Canyon and the surrounding mountains.
The Kolob Reservoir is also located nearby, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. The reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout, and visitors can rent boats from nearby outfitters.
Visitors can also explore the nearby North Creek, which runs through a narrow slot canyon and offers a challenging and rewarding hiking experience. The creek is known for its crystal-clear water and stunning rock formations.
Finally, the Lava Point area offers some of the best stargazing opportunities in the park. The campground is situated far from the light pollution of nearby cities, and visitors can enjoy a clear view of the stars on a clear night.
Tips for Visitors Visitors to Lava Point Campground should be prepared for the remote, backcountry experience. The campground is located at a high elevation, and temperatures can drop significantly at night, even during the summer months. Visitors should bring warm clothing and be prepared for cold and windy conditions.
Because of the campground’s remote location, visitors should also bring all the food and supplies they will need for their stay. There are no stores or restaurants nearby, and the nearest town is more than an hour’s drive away.
Visitors should also be prepared for challenging driving conditions on the Kolob Terrace Road. The road is narrow and steep in places, and visitors should take their time and drive cautiously.
Finally, visitors should remember to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash and waste. The remote location of the campground means that visitors must be responsible for their own impact on the environment.
Conclusion Lava Point Campground offers a unique and rewarding camping experience for those seeking a backcountry adventure in Zion National Park. The campground’s remote location and lack of amenities