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Witness Downtown Reno as it has reinvented itself for 150 years. This tour links the Downtown Reno Arches with stories of the forces that shaped the town: railroad and mining, immigrants, as a notorious divorce and gambling mecca and now as a livable cultural hub. Walk in the footsteps of Bill Harrah, Myron Lake, Baby Face Nelson, Frederic DeLongchamps, and others.
The Beyond the Arches tour tells the story of the "Biggest Little City," its people, industries, changes, opportunities and challenges. Learn about the first inhabitants, the Washoes, and early white explorers, like John Bidwell and John C. Fremont. In October of 1846, the Donner Party rested in a meadow along the Truckee River before continuing on their ill-fated journey. With the discovery of gold in California, the Truckee Meadows became a crossroads for travelers and wagon trains. The discovery of the Comstock load brought the building of a small hotel near and a bridge across the Truckee. In 1861Myron Lake purchased the property and the town become know as Lake's Crossing. Using the Homestead Act, Lake bought surrounding property and and negotiated with railroad officials in 1868 to bring the railroad to town. On May 13, 1868 town was officially named Reno by railroad officials, after General Jesse Lee Reno, a slain Union officer of the Civil War.
North of the river, Lake Street became the center of the "ethnic" neighborhoods. The area around Lake and East First Street was the original China Town. The Chinese were pressured to leave by 1940's, many Italian and Basque establishments took their place. The Sante Fe is good example of a Basque Hotel. The Mizpah Hotel (Pincolini Building) was built during 1922-1930. The Hotel burned in 2006 in an arson fire, killing 12 people, and resulting in the demolition of the building. A monument to those who parished now stands in the empty lot.
Gambling was legal in Nevada until 1910 when progressives/reformers got it banned. After that, gambling went underground, allowing organized crime to step in. In 1931, the Legislature looked at ways to boost Reno economy during Depression and legalized gambling once again. It also lowered the waiting period for divorce, allowing Reno to redefine itself for gambling and the divorce trade.
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