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June 2006 Newsletter


Archaeology of the Boston Saloon

By Kelly J. Dixon

Illustrations

Figure 1
Figure 1. (a) Virginia City (area circled and enlarged) is situated southeast of Reno in the arid Virginia Range of northern Nevada.

Figure 1
Figure 1. (b) Virginia City (area circled and enlarged) is situated southeast of Reno in the arid Virginia Range of northern Nevada.

Figure 2
Figure 2. A present-­day view of C Street shows a revived Virginia City, Nevada, with an array of saloons, restaurants, and shops catering to tourists seeking to experience the "wild" West.

Figure 3
Figure 3. Overview of archaeological excavations at the site of the Boston Saloon, Virginia City, Nevada, July 2000.

Figure 4
Figure 4. Section of Virginia City as shown in 1875 Bird's Eye View. The Boston Saloon is shown (circled and enlarged) at the corner of D and Union Streets (Library of Congress Online Panoramic Maps).

Figure 5
Figure 5. The remains of the Boston Saloon lay beneath this parking lot behind the well-­known Bucket of Blood Saloon.

Figure 6
Figure 6. This "Essence of Jamaica Ginger" bottle was recovered from the Boston Saloon (Photo by Ronald M. James).

Figure 7
Figure 7. The Boston Saloon collection contained the largest percentage of high-quality cuts of sheep meat when compared to the other three Virginia City drinking houses.

Figure 8
Figure 8. The Boston Saloon collection contained the largest percentage of high-­quality cuts of beef when compared to the other three Virginia City drinking houses.

Figure 9
Figure 9. (a) The rare Tabasco bottle recovered during archaeological excavations of the Boston Saloon is shown here, with a closeup view of the base mark below (Photos by Ronald M. James).

Figure 9
Figure 9. (b) The rare Tabasco bottle recovered during archaeological excavations of the Boston Saloon is shown here, with a closeup view of the base mark (Photos by Ronald M. James).

Figure 10
Figure 10. A variety of tobacco pipes recovered from the Boston Saloon; the red clay pipe bowls represent a unique style found at the Boston Saloon.

Figure 11
Figure 11. Gas light fixture, as it appeared during excavations of the Boston Saloon.

Figure 12
Figure 12. (a) These fragments from elegant, crystal stemware were among those recovered from the Boston Saloon (Photos by Ronald M. James).

Figure 12
Figure 12. (b) These fragments from elegant, crystal stemware were among those recovered from the Boston Saloon (Photos by Ronald M. James).

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©2006 African Diaspora Archaeology Network
Please send comments or questions to: cfennell@uiuc.edu
Last updated: June 27, 2006
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