Skip to ContentAdolph Sutro’s drainage tunnel ran from near Dayton to the Comstock mines. Work began in 1869 and the main tunnel was finished in 1878; length and exact dates vary by source.
Checked November 2, 2026. Dates, prices and hours change; the official page wins.
- 1860Sutro reaches the Comstock
- 1869construction begins
- 1878main tunnel finished
- 600-800people in the town of Sutro
The Plan
The state historical marker at Sutro (No. 85) says German-born Adolph Sutro came to the Comstock in 1860 and argued for a drainage tunnel to open up the lode. State and federal laws approved it by 1865. Mining interests first backed the tunnel, then strongly opposed it. Construction began in 1869, financed first by mine workers, since it promised to make the mines safer, and later by international bankers. Miners finished the main tunnel in 1878 and then dug side branches that gave drainage, ventilation and access to many mines.
The Town of Sutro
The work at the tunnel’s lower end created a town of 600 to 800 people, with a church, post office, weekly newspaper and Sutro’s Victorian mansion. Sutro later sold his interest, went back to San Francisco and became its mayor.
Length, Dates and Where Sources Differ
| Item | Figures found | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Main tunnel finished | 1878 | Nevada State Historic Preservation Office marker |
| Length | 20,589 feet in one Wikipedia article; 3.88 miles (about 20,486 feet) in another | Wikipedia (secondary) |
| Breakthrough to the Savage Mine | July 1878 per Wikipedia; a different marker page and Atlas Obscura give other days in 1878 | Wikipedia and search listings (secondary) |
| Branches finished, water released | 1879 (June 30 per Wikipedia) | Wikipedia (secondary) |
Every source agrees on 1878 for the breakthrough; the day is where they split, and we do not pick one. What the tunnel was worth is also argued: many mines had already gone deeper than its level, so it helped less than planned. Today the nonprofit Friends of Sutro Tunnel looks after the site.
The tunnel portal near Dayton is a restoration site, not a walk-in attraction as far as we can read. Visitor access and any tours are not confirmed.
What We Could Not Confirm
These items were not read on an official page when we checked, so we do not state them as fact. Who can confirm each one is named.
- Whether the portal can be visited, and when (Friends of Sutro Tunnel).
- The exact breakthrough day and the final length (Nevada State Museum or the state marker program).
- A new Sutro statue reported by one Wikipedia article: single source, not stated here as fact.
More to Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Sutro Tunnel?
About 3.9 miles (20,000-plus feet). Two Wikipedia articles give 20,589 feet and 3.88 miles; the state marker we read gives no length.
Sources
- Nevada State Historic Preservation Office: Sutro marker No. 85
- Wikipedia: Sutro Tunnel (secondary)
- Atlas Obscura: Sutro Tunnel (secondary)
Cite this page: It’s Reno editorial team, “The Sutro Tunnel,” itsreno.com, checked November 2, 2026.