The Reno Arch

 

On the main thoroughfare in Reno, you will see the arch. On the corner of Virginia Street and Commercial Avenue, there it is, waiting to greet you. The current arch is silver and blue in honor of the University of Nevada, Reno, "Go Pack!" The Reno Arch has been a landmark here for as long as anyone can remember. What you might not know is that this is the third arch! THREE!! 

So why do we have the arch in the first place? Have a seat. You comfy? Okie doke, here we go. 

Remember how Reno got a kick start with the transcontinental railroad? Well, Reno got another kick with another transcontinental project, this one was the Transcontinental Highway, also called the Lincoln Highway .  It was the brainchild of automotive entrepreneur Carl Fisher; same guy made major investments in the Indianapolis Speedway. (The guy really likes cars!) He proposed the idea of a coast-to-coast highway for reasons of leisure and commerce. 

Prior to this project, most roads were "maintained" by their counties and rural roads were the responsibility of the people who lived on them. So it was a big deal when the initial section of the highway was dedicated on October31, 1913. The so-called "Main Street Across the Country" would cross the United States from Times Square, New York to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, California. 

"Great information, lady", I can hear you, "but why the Arch?"

The Arch is there because of the Transcontinental Highway! The first Arch was dedicated on October 23, 1926 to celebrate the completion of the nicknamed Lincoln Highway. Building a highway over 3,000 miles (over 4,800 kilometers) takes a while! The Arch was stationed to span Virginia Street at Commercial Avenue. 

The first version had torches! They weren't lit with actual flames, but the effect was still pretty cool.  Soon the torches were ditched for a more streamlined look. While this was supposed to be temporary, the city liked it so much, we kept it. The First Arch is now located on Lake Street just south of the Truckee River. 

In 1963, Arch Number Two was erected. This one was wider to span Virginia Street more easily. The now famous rotating star was added. When the third and current installation of the Arch was dedicated on August 8, 1987, the second version was donated as another gateway. It's in Willits, California and has the banner "The Gateway to the Redwoods".  I've traveled through Willits and thought the arch looked vaguely familiar. Now I know why. RECYCLING!! Love it. 

So that is a very short history of the Reno Arch welcoming you all to the Biggest Little City in the World. 

Welcome To Reno, Nevada

 

Welcome to Reno, Nevada. Population: 250,903. Elevation: 4,505 feet above sea level. For more statistical information, you'll have to visit Wikipedia . 

I've lived here for years, but I'm not a native Nevadan. That is a rare breed of human. Though I've lived in Northern Nevada much of my life, there are some things that I don't know and I plan on exploring! Of course, I also plan on sharing. 

My first question was: Why did this town have the name Reno? 

As with many things of the West it starts with gold and the railroad. So, Reno is comfortably nestled between the Sierra Nevada Range to the west and the Virginia Range to the east. This means the valley between, the Truckee Meadows, is more mild during the winters and the perfect staging point for westward pioneers. (You have died of dysentery.) The California Trail goes right through the valley, gold and silver coming out of Virginia City came through as well. 

Now, as we all know, where there's a need, there will always be a person waiting to exploit it. Charles W. Fuller was our man! He built a toll bridge to cross the Truckee River. In 1861, it was sold to Myron C. Lake, who had to name this little station after himself, "Lake's Crossing". Here is where the whole railway money comes into play. In January of 1863, the Central Pacific Railroad was building tracks from Sacramento, California to Promontory, Utah. Sound familiar, kids? Yep, the Transcontinental Railroad! 

Again to monetize his position, Lake decided to build a rail depot at Lake's Crossing, establishing a rail station. Now that the railroad was involved, they used their power to rename the station and blossoming town. Charles Crocker was the Central Pacific Railroad construction superintendent. He decided to name this village Reno in May 1868.

"Yeah, yeah, great history, lady. But WHY choose that word?!" I get it, bear with me.

Let's go back in time a little bit. Not far, I promise. 1862, see not too far. Anyway, there was an Army officer named Jesse Lee Reno. He fought in the Mexican-American war and the Civil War. He was an artillery man and could accurately calculate the trajectory. Important if you want to hit your target and not Old Man Smitty's barn. 

Anyway, Reno died due to friendly fire September 14, 1862. Some kid in the Union army mistook him for a Confederate calvary man and shot him in the poor light of dusk. There was great mourning over this guy's death, but rejoicing on the Confederate side. 

So because of his military career, Jesse Lee Reno has his name honored throughout the country! There's a Reno in Nevada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. El Reno is in Oklahoma, and three Fort Reno (DC, Oklahoma, and Wyoming). 

Now I know and now you know, why the Biggest Little City is named Reno.