History, Legends, and Paranormal Claims

The Suicide Table inside Virginia City’s Old Washoe Club is known for its chilling reputation as one of the most haunted gambling tables in the American West. Originating in the 1860s, this faro card table earned its name after several owners and gamblers reportedly met untimely deaths linked to devastating losses at the table. Some believe the table is cursed, and its history is filled with stories of misfortune that have endured for generations.

Visitors and staff have reported unexplained phenomena near the table, which now draws attention from both historians and paranormal investigators. Whether intrigued by tales of tragedy or searching for a glimpse into Nevada’s haunted past, many are drawn to the mysterious legacy that surrounds the Suicide Table.

History of the Old Washoe Club

The Washoe Club is a historic fixture in Virginia City, Nevada, with deep ties to the boomtown era and the Comstock Lode. Its origins, influence on local society, and central role in the silver mining period help explain its lasting reputation.

Founding and Early Years

The Washoe Club was established in the early 1870s, during the height of the Comstock Lode silver rush. Designed as an exclusive gathering place, the club quickly attracted local elites, influential businessmen, and prominent mining figures. The building itself stands three stories tall and features classic Old West architecture distinctive to Virginia City’s historic district.

Membership was reserved for the wealthiest citizens, offering amenities such as a lavish bar, parlor rooms, and a grand ballroom. The original clubrooms showcased ornate woodwork and high ceilings, symbolizing affluence and status in a booming mining town. The club’s reputation for exclusivity and luxury made it a central institution in Nevada’s mining society.

The Washoe Club’s Role in Virginia City

As Virginia City flourished, the Washoe Club became a social and cultural hub. It hosted important meetings, social events, and provided a private retreat for the region’s financial and industrial leaders. Its location on C Street, the main thoroughfare, placed it at the heart of the city’s action.

The club was renowned for its opulent gatherings, where members discussed mining ventures, business deals, and politics. Notable visitors included investors, politicians, and even authors chronicling life in the Old West. Through its role in local governance and commerce, the Washoe Club influenced decision-making and economic activity throughout the historic district.

Significance During the Comstock Lode Era

During the peak of the Comstock Lode, the Washoe Club’s influence reached its zenith. Virginia City was one of the richest silver mining towns in the United States, and the Washoe Club reflected the era’s wealth. Listed below are key features from this period:

Feature Description Networking Mining tycoons and investors forged partnerships Celebrations Milestone successes and local achievements marked Historic Events Hosted gatherings during major mining discoveries

The club’s activities mirrored the city’s fortunes—thriving while silver production soared, and fading as the mining boom declined. Its preserved structure and historical legacy remain a testament to Virginia City’s pivotal role during the Old West’s most prosperous mining epoch.

The Origin and Legend of the Suicide Table

The Suicide Table at Virginia City’s Delta Saloon combines documented 19th-century history with persistent tales of tragedy. Its reputation is rooted in specific events, superstitions, and evolving local folklore.

History of the Suicide Table

The Suicide Table is an antique Faro table, dating to the 1860s during Virginia City’s mining boom. It was originally built for high-stakes gambling, where fortunes could change hands in minutes. The table was first installed at the Delta Saloon, a legendary establishment central to the region’s gold and silver rush era.

Faro, the game played here, was popular in the Old West and notorious for attracting professional gamblers. The table quickly developed a reputation for misfortune as several owners lost substantial sums. As these tales circulated, stories began to blend fact with speculation, making the table an enduring artifact of the town’s colorful past.

Throughout the decades, the table was moved and preserved, remaining a focal point for those fascinated by Nevada’s gambling history. It is still on display at the Delta Saloon, drawing visitors interested in both its craftsmanship and haunted legacy.

Infamous Fatalities and Urban Legends

Reportedly, at least three owners of the Suicide Table are said to have committed suicide following severe gambling losses. Black Jake, one of the earliest victims, allegedly lost $70,000 in a single night—an astronomical sum for the period—before taking his own life. Two later owners, whose identities are frequently debated in local lore, supposedly met similar fates.

Local legend holds that the table carried a “curse,” resulting in further misfortunes for those who tried their luck. Over time, the facts about these deaths have been blurred by storytelling and retelling, making it difficult to separate history from myth. Visitors often report a chill or sense of unease near the table, adding another layer to its mystique.

Some accounts even claim that well-known gamblers and famed outlaws crossed paths with the Suicide Table. These stories, while often unverified, have played a central role in building the table’s haunted reputation.

The Curse and Reputation

The curse of the Suicide Table forms the core of its haunted history and folklore. Many believe that the sorrow and desperation of its former owners have left a lingering presence. The table is often cited in guides to haunted locations in Nevada, with staff and guests at the Delta Saloon claiming unexplained events, such as ghostly apparitions or strange noises.

These tales have fueled ongoing interest, giving the table a reputation that extends beyond just a relic of Old West gambling. The combination of tragic outcomes and paranormal claims creates an aura that continues to attract curious visitors, paranormal investigators, and historians.

The legend of the Suicide Table reflects enduring themes of luck, risk, and consequence—core elements that shaped Virginia City. Today, it stands as both a historical exhibit and a key figure in regional ghost stories, blurring the line between fact and folklore.

Hauntings and Paranormal Activity

Unexplained occurrences, apparitions, and stories of restless spirits have made the Old Washoe Club’s “Suicide Table” a focal point for supernatural intrigue. Historic accounts, modern testimonies, and documented investigations contribute to its reputation as one of Virginia City’s most notoriously haunted sites.

Stories of Apparitions and Spirits

Visitors and staff at the Old Washoe Club frequently report witnessing apparitions near the Suicide Table. Shadowy figures are said to appear suddenly and vanish just as quickly, often described as male gamblers in period attire. Some accounts mention whispered voices and sudden cold spots, particularly late at night.

Common phenomena include:

Glimpses of pale, blurred faces reflected in glass
Unexplained rushes of cold air with no apparent source
Disembodied footsteps and tapping sounds around the table

The spirits are believed to be connected to individuals who once lost their lives or fortunes at the table. These spectral sightings have persisted for decades, supported by both anecdotal evidence and visitor logs at the club.

Famous Encounters and Ghost Sightings

Several incidents stand out in the history of the Suicide Table’s hauntings. Former employees have reported chairs moving on their own and lights flickering inexplicably during closing hours. In a few cases, guests claimed to see what they thought were “ghostly hands” dealing cards, only for the cards to remain untouched in the morning.

Reported ghost sightings include:

The apparition of a distraught man in 19th-century clothing who vanishes when approached
Reports of a woman in a Victorian dress seen weeping by the table and disappearing when noticed
Sightings of a spectral dealer maintaining a nightly vigil over the table

Such events have contributed to the table's reputation, turning it into a key destination for those seeking direct encounters with the paranormal in Nevada.

Related Paranormal Investigations

Paranormal researchers and ghost hunting groups have examined the Suicide Table and the surrounding rooms of the Old Washoe Club. Using EMF detectors, thermal cameras, and digital voice recorders, these investigators have documented several anomalies: unusual electromagnetic spikes, abrupt temperature drops, and unexplained voices captured in recordings.

Notable findings from investigations:

Investigation Group Year Reported Evidence Silver State Paranormal 2018 EMF spikes, cold spots, EVP recordings Haunted West Explorers 2021 Shadow figures, unexplained footsteps

These findings are frequently discussed in regional ghost tours and television specials. The consistency of both anecdotal accounts and investigative results continues to fuel interest in the Suicide Table’s haunted legacy.

The Suicide Table in Popular Culture

The Suicide Table at the Old Washoe Club is frequently associated with stories of misfortune and the paranormal. Its reputation, fueled by both media appearances and local storytelling, has made it a notable point of interest for visitors and enthusiasts of haunted history.

Appearances on Television and Ghost Adventures

Television coverage has played a significant role in amplifying the legend of the Suicide Table. The table has appeared on paranormal investigation shows, most notably an episode of Ghost Adventures.

In their visit to Virginia City, the Ghost Adventures team explored the Old Washoe Club and focused on alleged supernatural activity around the Suicide Table. The crew documented personal experiences and responses from specialized equipment, adding visual and anecdotal details to the table’s haunted reputation.

These televised segments contribute directly to the ongoing popularity of the table as a destination for ghost tours. Many tour companies highlight the table specifically, referencing moments seen on TV as part of their guided experiences.

Folklore and Media Coverage

Stories of the Suicide Table have circulated for generations in Virginia City. According to local folklore, the table witnessed multiple suicides after heavy gambling losses, with notable figures such as "Black Jake" appearing frequently in tellings.

Local papers, travel blogs, and regional guides often recount tales of gamblers meeting tragic fates at the table. Such coverage reinforces the ominous reputation and keeps the story prominent in public imagination.

Ghost tours in Virginia City routinely include the Suicide Table as a major attraction, relating its history and reported hauntings during their stops. This regular storytelling maintains its status as a staple of local lore and modern haunted tourism.

Virginia City’s Haunted Heritage

Virginia City is known for its historic architecture, ghostly legends, and key landmarks tied to the mining era. From haunted hotels and saloons to deserted ghost towns nearby, the area offers numerous sites of paranormal fascination and cultural significance.

Haunted Locations and Mansions

The Old Washoe Club stands at the center of Virginia City’s haunted reputation. This 19th-century bar is famous for its “Suicide Table,” a gambling relic linked with tragic losses and ghost stories.

Other notable spots include:

Silver Queen Hotel: Guests report unexplained noises and sightings, particularly in rooms with ties to tragic pasts.
St. Mary’s Art Center: Once a hospital, visitors have described mysterious footsteps and apparitions.
Delta Saloon: Home to intense card games and linked with legends of misfortune.

Mansions like the Mackay Mansion also attract attention for strange occurrences. Residents and visitors note unexplained shadows, and some claim to hear voices in empty halls. The area’s haunted locations are frequently featured in ghost tours, drawing both paranormal enthusiasts and history buffs.

Notable Ghost Towns and Landmarks

Virginia City’s surrounding region is home to former mining camps now considered ghost towns, such as Gold Hill and Silver City. These remnants of the past retain old buildings, abandoned mines, and relics from the Comstock Lode rush.

Mount Davidson, towering above the historic district, is another local landmark with a storied past. Nearby, the Chollar Mine offers guided tours where visitors can explore old tunnels and hear tales of mining hardship.

Bars like the Bucket of Blood Saloon preserve 1800s decor and are sites where strange sounds and sightings have been reported. Theatres and old hotels also contribute to the area’s storied history, helping maintain Virginia City’s status as one of Nevada’s most active haunted locations.

Economic and Historical Context

The “Suicide Table” inside the Washoe Club is a relic from a period marked by explosive wealth, risk, and population shifts. This era saw fortunes made and lost in the pursuit of silver and gold, shaping not just Virginia City but the broader American West.

Mining, Silver, and Gold in the Region

Virginia City gained international attention after the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859. This vein contained rich deposits of both silver and gold, quickly turning the area into a major mining hub.

Wealth from these precious metals attracted prospectors, financiers, and workers from across the globe. The “Big Bonanza” strike of 1873 yielded unprecedented quantities of silver, solidifying Virginia City’s reputation.

Mining technology developments—like the square set timbering technique—were pioneered here to access deeper ores. Booming mining operations created enormous fortunes but also financial ruin, uncertainty, and social tensions.

The Impact of the California Gold Rush

The California Gold Rush of 1848 drew thousands to the state in search of quick riches. As surface gold depleted, seasoned miners and hopeful newcomers pushed further east, influencing Nevada’s mining culture.

Many techniques and equipment used in Nevada originated in California. Networks of supply chains, banks, and merchants followed prospectors, establishing vital infrastructure for later mining booms.

The Gold Rush experience also ingrained a spirit of speculation and risk-taking in the region. Cards, faro tables, and gambling halls—like those containing the “Suicide Table”—thrived in this environment.

Influence on the American West

Demographic shifts driven by silver and gold discoveries reshaped settlement patterns. Towns sprouted almost overnight, and the promise of wealth drew a diverse mix of people, including European and Chinese immigrants.

Economic growth from precious metals funded the construction of railroads, schools, and civic institutions. The wealth extracted from mines in Virginia City and surrounding areas helped finance the expansion of the American West.

Virgin Territory policies, laws, and even folklore were shaped by mining life. The blend of opportunity and uncertainty fueled both fortune and tragedy, themes embodied by the legends surrounding the Washoe Club’s “Suicide Table.”

Legends, Myths, and Local Folklore

Stories of the Suicide Table at the Old Washoe Club blend gambling misfortunes, tragic endings, and celebrity encounters from the Comstock Lode era. The table’s reputation draws from a mix of documented history and regional tales that remain central to Virginia City’s haunted identity.

Famous Stories and Anecdotes

Local folklore is anchored in tales of misfortune tied directly to the Suicide Table. According to stories preserved by both tourism boards and resident historians, at least three former owners of the table met tragic ends after suffering heavy gambling losses. One owner, known as “Black Jake,” is often cited in accounts claiming he lost $70,000 on the table—an enormous sum in the 19th century.

The table reportedly earned its name after these fatalities, sparking ongoing rumors of bad luck for those who dare to sit at it. Anecdotes occasionally reference apparitions or ghostly sightings around the table, suggesting that the victims linger in the club’s shadowy corners. Tales are regularly shared during ghost tours and by local guides.

Visitors from nearby Reno, Carson City, and even as far as Los Angeles arrive to see the infamous artifact. The Suicide Table stands as a symbol of the risk and volatility that marked Storey County’s mining boom years.

Mark Twain’s Connection to Virginia City

Mark Twain, before his literary fame, lived and worked in Virginia City as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise. Twain often chronicled the eccentric personalities and wild events of the Comstock Lode, though he did not directly write about the Suicide Table. His influence persists through descriptions of gambling, local color, and infamous establishments that charmed and sometimes confounded the area’s pioneers.

Twain’s writings detail the town’s social scene, including references to saloons and clubs much like the Old Washoe Club. Although he later traveled by ship to places like Skagway, his legacy remains tied to Virginia City and its folklore. As a critical observer, Twain’s accounts helped immortalize the rough-edged, vibrant culture that still defines Virginia City’s image and invites curiosity around stories such as those of the Suicide Table.

Visitor Information and Ghost Tours

The Old Washoe Club and its infamous “Suicide Table” draw many visitors interested in the paranormal history of Virginia City. Guided ghost tours and nearby sites offer further opportunities to explore haunted legends and regional attractions.

Touring the Washoe Club and Suicide Table

The Old Washoe Club, established in 1870, sits on Virginia City’s main street. It is open to visitors daily, with varying seasonal hours. Entry fees are typically modest, allowing self-guided access to the historic saloon and club museum.

The “Suicide Table” is located in the Washoe Club’s main saloon area behind a protective barrier. Informational signs detail its lore and the tragic incidents linked to its history. Guests are encouraged to take photographs but cannot touch or sit at the gaming table.

Washoe Club Visitor Details

Feature Details Address 112 S C Street, Virginia City, NV Hours Vary by season; mornings to evenings Admission Modest fee; tickets at entrance Accessibility Main floor wheelchair accessible

Guided Haunted Tours in Virginia City

Several companies provide guided ghost tours that feature the Washoe Club and the Suicide Table as central stops. These tours often include stories about the most active sites in Virginia City and the personal experiences of guides and former guests.

Tours are offered both during the day and in the evening. Evening tours include access to reportedly haunted rooms of the club. Some tours allow guests to use basic paranormal equipment. Group sizes are limited, and advance booking is recommended, especially on weekends.

The “Virginia City Ghost Tour” and “US Ghost Adventures” are prominent operators in town. Highlights along many routes include the Washoe Club, Delta Saloon, Mark Twain’s favorite haunts, and the Silver Queen Hotel.

Nearby Attractions and Popular Destinations

Virginia City offers a range of historic sites and modern attractions within walking distance of the Washoe Club. The Delta Saloon, another historic gaming venue on C Street, is popular for its own haunted stories, as well as the infamous “Suicide Table” sometimes displayed there.

Beyond town, Reno and Carson City are each a short drive away and feature additional casinos, dining, and museums. Las Vegas, further south, is known for its vibrant nightlife and entertainment, though it is several hours away.

Virginia City’s central boardwalk setting makes it easy for visitors to explore saloons, antique shops, and museums, making it an ideal base for both history buffs and those drawn to ghost tours.

The Haunting of the Old Washoe Club’s Suicide Table