Juvenile pleads guilty to spraying graffiti on historic building

Saturday, Jan. 17, 1998 | 6:38 a.m.

A Feb. 12 sentencing date was set for the juvenile, who entered the plea Friday. The youth, whose name was withheld, was charged with spraying graffiti on the landmark Gold Hill Bank Building in late October.

The damage caused an uproar among local residents. Residents said it was the first known incident of graffiti painted on a historic structure here.

Authorities said the cost of removing graffiti from the building, now used as offices for Archaeological Research Services, was $1,750.

The youth pleaded guilty Friday to five similar charges stemming from the spraying of graffiti on nearby signs.

Among other things, graffiti was sprayed on a speed limit sign, a "Welcome to Gold Hill" sign and a "The Way It Was Museum" sign.

Authorities said the damage is believed to have occurred the night of Oct. 31 and charges against the youth were filed in early December. Three youths originally were arrested in connection with the crimes.

Other historic sites in the Virginia City area have been vandalized in recent years.

In September, a fire hydrant dating back to the 1870s was ripped from its original Gold Hill water line mounting by thieves.

Earlier, two men stole headstones and other items from some local cemeteries that date back to the 1860s. The men were later caught and the property was recovered.