This supply soon became insufficient and many tunnels were run into hills both north and south from Virginia for the express purpose of tapping water.

These soon failed and it became necessary to look for a permanent supply to the main range of the Sierra Nevada twenty-five or more miles away.

Accordingly the Virginia and Gold Hill Water Company called upon Mr.Hermann Schussler, the engineer under whose supervision the Spring Valley Water Works of San Francisco were constructed.

After a careful survey of the ground he found water at Hobart Creek, in the mountains on the east side of Lake Tahoe, and in the spring of 1872, received orders to go ahead and install a water system.

He ordered pipe made to fit every portion of the route.