One of Virginia City’s favorite landmarks is being demolished after more than 90 years.
In 1922, the American Flat Mill in the Comstock Historic District near Gold Hill was built on a multiple-acre plot, fit for a bustling silver mining community. The mill’s demise several years later made the concrete and rhubarb remains a local hot spot for graffiti art, photo projects, parties and paintball war zones.
At the beginning of November, however, the Bureau of Land Management began to demolish what was left of the mill, citing safety as one of the main reasons for the decision. Bert Bedeau, director of the Comstock Historic Division, said locals are sad to see it go.
“For many locals, it has a particular place in their lives and history,” Bedeau said. “Anyone who’s been out there has seen all the artwork. Some of it is just plain graffiti, but some is actually very involved mural work.”
While graffiti may be frowned upon on other historic sites, residents near the Comstock embraced the role it had on the mill, evolving as a reminder of what history was once there, but accepting the many artists who call the historic district home.
There were safety concerns over the dilapidating structure, however, and a few injuries had occurred over the years.
“There’s no controversy over the fact that it was an attractive nuisance,” Bedeau said. “It’s just unfortunate the BLM was not in a position to look at managing it in a different way.”
For now, however, residents will only have their memories of what role the mill played in their lives. Perhaps one of the most quirky pieces of its history is being the film location of the 1973 horror movie “Godmonster of Indian Flats,” where locals played the role of extras in several scenes.
“It’s a wonderful stinkbomb from the 1970's that many people still watch and can point out what part they had in it,” Bedeau said.
GUEST
Bert Bedeau, director, district administrator, Comstock Historic District Commission
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