Sutro Tunnel Restoration Draws Hundreds to Celebration

Guided by Bill Miles, CEO of Miles Construction in Carson City, a curious group of onlookers ventured into the historic Sutro Tunnel on September 12.

Armed with a trusty flashlight, Bill illuminated the tunnel progress, shining a light on the improvements thus far. ‘Our goal is to reach 1,500 feet,’ he shared, acknowledging the ongoing work to clean and restore the site.

Miles and partner Simerson Construction have taken a personal interest in the project. As a former resident of the Victorian mansion on the tunnel land in the 1980s, he feels deeply connected to its history.

The turnout for the event, which celebrated the work of local partners and volunteers, was especially gratifying for him.

“We have a lot of good construction people involved…this is awesome. It’s exciting to see,” he added.

The second annual “Meat and Drink” event, hosted by the Nevada Builders Alliance and Friends of Sutro Tunnel Charity, attracted more than 400 visitors. Attendees enjoyed self-guided tours, exploring the refurbished pond and buildings, and indulging in barbecue from Carson City BBQ, with drinks from local vendors.

John Cassinelli, Executive Director of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, emceed the event and expressed optimism about the tunnel’s future as a tourist destination for Lyon County.

“It’s 100 feet back into the tunnel, rebuilt now, and the timbering work that’s been done by Simerson Construction is absolutely fabulous,” Cassinelli said.

The project has united local enthusiasts of Nevada history, volunteers, and businesses, all dedicated to preserving the Sutro Tunnel’s architectural and historical significance.

“To get 400 people to go to anything is a tall order,” said Rob McFadden, Friends of Sutro Tunnel board member. “There’s not many tourism draws in the Dayton Valley or Lyon County, so I think this is going to be a pretty big opportunity.”

Reenactors from Virginia City’s Silent Riders, dressed in Victorian, Edwardian, and Old West costumes brought the event to life. Michelle Buckman, one of the Silent Riders, played Mrs. Curry, the wife of Stephen Curry, Virginia City’s mayor from 1873 to 1875. Buckman and her husband, Jason Virdman, who played Mayor Curry, expressed their passion for sharing the region’s history.

Jeff Sutich, Executive Director of the Northern Nevada Development Authority, was pleased to see the tunnel becoming accessible to the public.

“There’s a lot of history here in the Sutro Tunnel and with the mining…this is really good for the community,” Sutich said.

Carson City Mayor Lori Bagwell also praised the collaboration between regional businesses, churches, and artists, saying, “We’re proud of our past and confident of our future, but you’ve got to hold onto that pride of that past.”

Spencer Davidson, the Sutro Tunnel’s caretaker, tour guide, and volunteer has dedicated over 30 years to maintaining and promoting the site. Davidson, who first learned of the tunnel at age 17, stepped into his role as caretaker after a chance encounter during a gunfight reenactment at the tunnel.

He has since worked tirelessly to preserve the site, overseeing tasks from installing ductwork to maintaining the ponds.

“A little more than 85 gallons comes from the tunnel every minute, totaling about 140,000 gallons per day,” he explained.

The event also featured local musician Carson Chandler, who called the Sutro Tunnel restoration a “great cause.” Nevada Builders Alliance CEO Glen Martel echoed the sentiment, noting that the event promotes Northern Nevada’s mining history and raised funds for workforce development programs.

Martel expressed confidence in the project’s future.

“We’ve got the permits, we’ve got the partnerships in place, and we’re really just looking forward to getting that tunnel back and getting a piece of Northern Nevada history,” he said.

Proceeds from the event will benefit students at Western Nevada College, Carson High School, and other educational institutions across the state.