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History of Reno, Nevada, USA
Journey back in time to Reno, Nevada, USA
Explore Reno, Nevada, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Discover Reno: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1869 - an earthquake shook Reno
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1879 - RAGING FIRE.
Reno, Nev. - A fire broke out at Reno last Sunday morning, and in three hours all the business part of the town was in ashes, the only houses escaping being the Masonic building with Hagerman & Schooling's grocery store on the first floor, and John Larcombes.
Two or three Central Pacific trains, including the lightning train, were destroyed.
The loss is estimated at $1,000,000 with about $150,000 insurance.
Five persons lost their lives:
MRS. JOHN PECK.
JOHN RILEY.
Three unknown tramps.
Columbus Journal
Nebraska
March 5, 1879
Reno, Nev. - A fire broke out at Reno last Sunday morning, and in three hours all the business part of the town was in ashes, the only houses escaping being the Masonic building with Hagerman & Schooling's grocery store on the first floor, and John Larcombes.
Two or three Central Pacific trains, including the lightning train, were destroyed.
The loss is estimated at $1,000,000 with about $150,000 insurance.
Five persons lost their lives:
MRS. JOHN PECK.
JOHN RILEY.
Three unknown tramps.
Columbus Journal
Nebraska
March 5, 1879
1889 - A BIG BLAZE. Reno Gets Another Scorching by Fire. Property to the Value of $20,000 Goes Up in Smoke - Insured for About Half.
This morning about 1 o'clock a fire broke out in or near the tea store of Rother Bros., near the corner of Second and Sierra streets, and in the rear of the Gazette office.
Dick Nash was the first to turn in a general alarm, and the fire department was soon on the ground. But before water was gotten on the fire the Nevada Tea Store and the Blue Wing Saloon were in flames, and the heat was intense. Being only the lightest kind of wooden shanties it was not long before the inflammable material was one flaming mass, and the building owned Manning & O'Connor and occupied by N. P. Jaques as a hardware and plumbing establishment, on the west side, and the Baptist Church on the east side were in flames, while to the north the fire was lapping up the little wooden outbuildings, wood piles, fences and rubbish. It was not many minutes after the corner building was well under destruction before the two houses of John Smith on Sierra street were on fire. On the extreme eastern side people were ... Read MORE...
This morning about 1 o'clock a fire broke out in or near the tea store of Rother Bros., near the corner of Second and Sierra streets, and in the rear of the Gazette office.
Dick Nash was the first to turn in a general alarm, and the fire department was soon on the ground. But before water was gotten on the fire the Nevada Tea Store and the Blue Wing Saloon were in flames, and the heat was intense. Being only the lightest kind of wooden shanties it was not long before the inflammable material was one flaming mass, and the building owned Manning & O'Connor and occupied by N. P. Jaques as a hardware and plumbing establishment, on the west side, and the Baptist Church on the east side were in flames, while to the north the fire was lapping up the little wooden outbuildings, wood piles, fences and rubbish. It was not many minutes after the corner building was well under destruction before the two houses of John Smith on Sierra street were on fire. On the extreme eastern side people were ... Read MORE...
1890 - Three Miles to Go - Then the Central Pacific Railroad will be Clear if the Falling Snow does not Block it Again.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., Jan. 30. The following despatch was received from Truckee this morning:
Cascade Cut was opened yesterday morning by five hundred snow shovellers, raising the blockade from tunnel 13, westward. A wooden plough with seven engines started west from Truckee at nine o'clock, carrying sixty snow shovellers to removed the slide between here and Tunnel 13. it met with almost unsumountable difficulties on account of frozen slush. It is now less than four miles from town and has three miles farther to go before the road is clear. It is storming fearfully all along the line, drifting and blowing everywhere. Superintendent White went to Reno this afternoon. The snow is drifting badly down Truckee canon, but no trouble is anticipated. A snowslide occurred last evening east of Verdi, three feet deep and 600 feet wide.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
January 30, 1890
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., Jan. 30. The following despatch was received from Truckee this morning:
Cascade Cut was opened yesterday morning by five hundred snow shovellers, raising the blockade from tunnel 13, westward. A wooden plough with seven engines started west from Truckee at nine o'clock, carrying sixty snow shovellers to removed the slide between here and Tunnel 13. it met with almost unsumountable difficulties on account of frozen slush. It is now less than four miles from town and has three miles farther to go before the road is clear. It is storming fearfully all along the line, drifting and blowing everywhere. Superintendent White went to Reno this afternoon. The snow is drifting badly down Truckee canon, but no trouble is anticipated. A snowslide occurred last evening east of Verdi, three feet deep and 600 feet wide.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
January 30, 1890
1895 - Reno
Reno, a post-village, capital of Washoe co, Nevada, on the Truckee River and on the Central Pacific Railroad, 149 miles N.E. of Sacramento, Cal., about 20 miles direct of 51 miles by rail N.W. of Virginia City, and 3 mile E, of the Sierra Nevada. It has 2 banks, 5 churches, a female seminary, printing-offices which issue 2 daily newspapers, a powder-mill, manufactories of carriages, wagons, and brooms, and the large mill and reduction-works of the Nevada Land and Mining Company. The state prison is located here. The Truckee is a rapid river and affords extensive motive-power at this place. Reno is the N. terminus of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, and is the distributing point for a large section of country. Pop. 1302.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Reno, a post-village, capital of Washoe co, Nevada, on the Truckee River and on the Central Pacific Railroad, 149 miles N.E. of Sacramento, Cal., about 20 miles direct of 51 miles by rail N.W. of Virginia City, and 3 mile E, of the Sierra Nevada. It has 2 banks, 5 churches, a female seminary, printing-offices which issue 2 daily newspapers, a powder-mill, manufactories of carriages, wagons, and brooms, and the large mill and reduction-works of the Nevada Land and Mining Company. The state prison is located here. The Truckee is a rapid river and affords extensive motive-power at this place. Reno is the N. terminus of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, and is the distributing point for a large section of country. Pop. 1302.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1902 - SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRAIN DERAILED AT RENO
Reno, Nev, May 21.-The east-bound flyer on the Southern Pacific jumped the frog at Chestnut street crossing in this city. The engine and the baggage and mail cars were derailed. The engine ploughed into the ground, the drivers being covered, and is badly wrecked. Fireman Walker jumped as the engine careened over, badly spraining his ankle and wrist. Mrs. J. G. Putnum, a passenger, was injured about the head and back.
Idaho Daily Statesman
Boise City, Idaho
May 22, 1902
Reno, Nev, May 21.-The east-bound flyer on the Southern Pacific jumped the frog at Chestnut street crossing in this city. The engine and the baggage and mail cars were derailed. The engine ploughed into the ground, the drivers being covered, and is badly wrecked. Fireman Walker jumped as the engine careened over, badly spraining his ankle and wrist. Mrs. J. G. Putnum, a passenger, was injured about the head and back.
Idaho Daily Statesman
Boise City, Idaho
May 22, 1902
1906
Reno, a banking post-town, capital of Washoe co., Nev., on the Truckee River and on the Southern Pacific and other railroads, 149 miles NE. of Sacramento, Cal., about 20 miles (direct) NW. of Virginia City, and 3 miles E. of the Sierra Nevada. It has large reduction-works, manufactories of machinery, brick, malted liquors, etc., and is the seat of the state university and the state asylum. Elevation, 4500 feet. Pop. in 1900, 4500.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906
Reno, a banking post-town, capital of Washoe co., Nev., on the Truckee River and on the Southern Pacific and other railroads, 149 miles NE. of Sacramento, Cal., about 20 miles (direct) NW. of Virginia City, and 3 miles E. of the Sierra Nevada. It has large reduction-works, manufactories of machinery, brick, malted liquors, etc., and is the seat of the state university and the state asylum. Elevation, 4500 feet. Pop. in 1900, 4500.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906
1910 - Governor Ablaze As Santa. Bystanders’ Promptness Saves Dickerson, of Nevada, at Christmas Tree.
Special to The Washington Post.
Reno, Nev. Dec. 27.-Had it not been for prompt action by bystanders, the governor of Nevada would have been one of the victims of the Christmas tree. As it was Gov. Dickerson, in the temporary role of Santa Claus, at Carson City, on Saturday night, was slightly burned.
The governor, at the executive mansion, was robed in the conventional Santa Claus suit, with furs and robe, flowing whiskers, and cotton batting “snow,” and was distributing presents to his children and those of the neighbors. As he leaned over the tree to get a present, a small taper ignited the cotton on his cap and instantly there was a kindling of flame.
Those nearby snatched off the burning cloth and extinguished the flames before much damage was done. The governor is now waiting for his eyebrows and eyelashes to grow, and his face and ears are pretty sore, and the children have some doubt as to the authenticity of Santa Claus.
The Washington Post
Washington, D.C.
December 28, 1910
Special to The Washington Post.
Reno, Nev. Dec. 27.-Had it not been for prompt action by bystanders, the governor of Nevada would have been one of the victims of the Christmas tree. As it was Gov. Dickerson, in the temporary role of Santa Claus, at Carson City, on Saturday night, was slightly burned.
The governor, at the executive mansion, was robed in the conventional Santa Claus suit, with furs and robe, flowing whiskers, and cotton batting “snow,” and was distributing presents to his children and those of the neighbors. As he leaned over the tree to get a present, a small taper ignited the cotton on his cap and instantly there was a kindling of flame.
Those nearby snatched off the burning cloth and extinguished the flames before much damage was done. The governor is now waiting for his eyebrows and eyelashes to grow, and his face and ears are pretty sore, and the children have some doubt as to the authenticity of Santa Claus.
The Washington Post
Washington, D.C.
December 28, 1910
1948 - RENO EXPLOSION KILLS 5, INJURES 137 - PANIC AMONG ONLOOKERS INCREASES TOLL.
Reno, Aug. 16. (AP) - Fire, a shattering explosion and panic among several hundred spectators left a toll of five dead, one missing and 137 injured in Reno's worst tragedy in its history.
The fire broke out about 10 a.m. yesterday in a false-fronted frame and brick building in the old business district. It drew several hundred onlookers, massed around the scene just a few blocks east of the city's gambling quarter.
The sudden explosion and fire killed the fire chief of a nearby city and four men. A sixth, a Reno fireman, was missing. The blast sprayed injury among the spectators. Some were trampled in the rush to get away.
As firemen fought to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjoining buildings, a policeman warned the crowd to get back -- that "there's dynamite in there."
"A few of the timid retreated," said JOHN SANFORD, city editor of the Reno Gazette. "The rest pushed closer. There was a roar. Smoke, shot through with spurts of flame, blanketed a half block of Lake... Read MORE...
Reno, Aug. 16. (AP) - Fire, a shattering explosion and panic among several hundred spectators left a toll of five dead, one missing and 137 injured in Reno's worst tragedy in its history.
The fire broke out about 10 a.m. yesterday in a false-fronted frame and brick building in the old business district. It drew several hundred onlookers, massed around the scene just a few blocks east of the city's gambling quarter.
The sudden explosion and fire killed the fire chief of a nearby city and four men. A sixth, a Reno fireman, was missing. The blast sprayed injury among the spectators. Some were trampled in the rush to get away.
As firemen fought to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjoining buildings, a policeman warned the crowd to get back -- that "there's dynamite in there."
"A few of the timid retreated," said JOHN SANFORD, city editor of the Reno Gazette. "The rest pushed closer. There was a roar. Smoke, shot through with spurts of flame, blanketed a half block of Lake... Read MORE...
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Reno:
Explore Downtown Reno:
Stroll along the Truckee Riverwalk: Enjoy the scenic views along the river and maybe stop by one of the riverside cafes.
Visit the Reno Arch: A classic symbol of the city, great for photos.
National Automobile Museum:
If you're into cars, this museum is a must-visit. It showcases a fantastic collection of vintage automobiles, including some rare and iconic models.
Reno Riverwalk District:
This area is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with numerous shops, restaurants, and galleries. It's a great place to spend an afternoon shopping or trying out local cuisine.
Midtown District:
Experience Reno's eclectic side in Midtown. This area is filled with unique boutiques, art galleries, and trendy eateries.
Lake Tahoe:
While not exactly in Reno, it's only a short drive away. Enjoy the stunning beauty of Lake Tahoe, whether you're into skiing in the winter or hiking and water activities in the summer.
Reno Air Races:
If you visit in... Read MORE...
Explore Downtown Reno:
Stroll along the Truckee Riverwalk: Enjoy the scenic views along the river and maybe stop by one of the riverside cafes.
Visit the Reno Arch: A classic symbol of the city, great for photos.
National Automobile Museum:
If you're into cars, this museum is a must-visit. It showcases a fantastic collection of vintage automobiles, including some rare and iconic models.
Reno Riverwalk District:
This area is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with numerous shops, restaurants, and galleries. It's a great place to spend an afternoon shopping or trying out local cuisine.
Midtown District:
Experience Reno's eclectic side in Midtown. This area is filled with unique boutiques, art galleries, and trendy eateries.
Lake Tahoe:
While not exactly in Reno, it's only a short drive away. Enjoy the stunning beauty of Lake Tahoe, whether you're into skiing in the winter or hiking and water activities in the summer.
Reno Air Races:
If you visit in... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Reno Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Reno, Nevada, USA
We currently have information about 25 ancestors who were born or died in Reno.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Ancestors Who Were Married in Reno, Nevada, USA
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Genealogy Resources for Reno
Discover Unique Gift Ideas from or related to Reno
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Reno, NV Postcard Shower Curtain - Vintage Main Street Charm
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Nevada Gift Idea - Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Lake Tahoe - I Love Nevada! - Ceramic Mug NV Gift
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Reno, Nevada: The Biggest Little City in the World Phone Case
Showcase your love for Reno, Nevada, with this stunning phone case featuring the iconic arch that welcomes you to the Biggest Little City in the World! Made from durable materials, this case provides excellent protection against drops and scratches, keeping your phone looking new. The vibrant design captures the essence of Reno's vibrant culture and exciting atmosphere. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this phone case is a perfect way to carry a piece of Reno with you wherever you go!

Reno, Nevada: The Biggest Little City in the World - Vintage Postcard Jigsaw Puzzle
Step back in time with this charming jigsaw puzzle featuring a vintage postcard of Reno, Nevada, proudly dubbed "The Biggest Little City in the World." Piece together the iconic landmarks and vibrant streets of this historic city, from the famous Reno Arch to the bustling casinos. This puzzle is perfect for both nostalgic travelers and puzzle enthusiasts alike, offering a delightful challenge and a glimpse into Reno's rich history and vibrant past.

Nevada Dreamin' Ceramic Mug – Lake Tahoe Enthusiast Edition
Embrace your inner Nevadan with this charming ceramic coffee mug, perfect for anyone who proudly claims the Silver State as home. Featuring the playful caption, "I'm from Nevada. That explains a lot about my love for Lake Tahoe, where I ski in winter and tan in summer, sometimes in the same day!"—this mug is a delightful ode to those sunny slopes and snowy peaks that make Lake Tahoe a year-round paradise.

NEVADA ANCESTRY - "My Ancestors Came From Nevada" Mug – The Ultimate Road Trip Companion
Sip your coffee with a side of desert charm! This Nevada-inspired mug proudly boasts the caption: "My Ancestors Came From Nevada. That explains a lot about my love for road trips through endless desert highways, where the tumbleweeds have the right of way."

Patriotic Memories: Memorial Day Vintage Postcard Coffee Mug
Remembering the Brave, Honoring the Fallen Celebrate the spirit of Memorial Day with this stunning ceramic coffee mug featuring vintage postcards commemorating the holiday. Perfect for honoring the brave men and women who served, this mug is both a functional keepsake and a nostalgic work of art. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or enjoying an afternoon tea, this dishwasher-safe and microwave-friendly mug is a timeless way to show your patriotism. Ideal as a gift for veterans, history buffs, or anyone who cherishes American traditions, this mug makes Memorial Day even more meaningful.
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