Historic Sites
Begin your adventure of Nevada's rich cultural and architectural heritage by visiting the State of Nevada's Department of Cultural Affair's website, www.nevadaculture.org. From the main page click on "State Historic Preservation Office". There you will find links to all of Nevada's Historical Markers and Nevada's Official Historic Register.
Historic Sites in Reno
The city of Reno was officially established on May 9, 1868, when the Central Pacific RR (now The Union Pacific) auctioned off 400 lots in a townsite, now downtown Reno. At the behest of General Irvin McDowell, Charles Crocker, the railroad construction superintendent, the town was named for Jesse Lee Reno, an American army officer who had served in the Mexican War and was later killed in the Civil War.
The Historic Reno Preservation Society (HRPS) is a non-profit organization formed in 1997 to provide an educational forum for historic preservation. They are dedicated to preserving and promoting historic resources in the Truckee Meadows through education, advocacy and leadership.
Historic Sites in Sparks
In the early 1900s, Sparks became an instant city when the Southern Pacific Railroad moved to town. Offices and repair shops were constructed at the company's new town site. The town, named after Governor John Sparks, was formally established in 1905.
Begin your visit to Sparks in Victorian Square, the heart of the city, located three miles east of downtown Reno, just off Interstate 80. Victorian Square has casinos, shops, a visitor center and a theatre complex. You can get complete information on Sparks at the Sparks Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center.
The nearby Sparks Heritage Museum tells the railroad history of Sparks and is open 11 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 4 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The Museum is located at 820 Victorian Avenue and their telephone number is 775.355.1144. Dating from the 1860s, the restored Glendale School House is located in Victorian Square. Guided tours can be arranged by calling the museum at 775.355.1144. Find out more about Sparks and their event schedule by visiting the city's official website, www.ci.sparks.nv.us.
Lake Tahoe Historic Sites
No trip to Reno is complete without a day trip to Lake Tahoe. Along Tahoe's 72-mile perimeter, you will find historical mansions and museums. As you make your way around the lake, you will discover that every community along the shoreline is unique.
The Ehrman Mansion at Sugar Pine Point State Park conducts tours several times daily during the summer months. This grand residence was the summer home of the Hellman-Ehrman family. During the family's annual two-month stay they were attended to by over 30 servants.
Tallac Historic Site is comprimised of 150 acres, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The Pope Estate is used as the interpretive center for the Tallac Historic Site; it features historic tours, exhibits, and living history programs. The Baldwin Estate serves as the educational center for the site and features museum exhibits on Lucky Baldwin and on the Washoe Indians. Valhalla is the community events center and is used nine months of the year, including part of the winter, for environmental education programs.
The Thunderbird Lodge Estate, with unparalleled views of the lake, is now a 6-acre historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places surrounded by over 40,000 acres of Forest Service and Nevada State Parks land. You won't find a more enchanting, or more memorable location for your wedding or special event. Public tours available May through October.
Vikingsholm is located at the head of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. This magnificent "castle" is a unique blend of Nature's spectacular beauty and man's architectural ingenuity. Tours of Vikingsholm Castle are available seven days a week from mid-June until the end of September.
Virginia City Historic Sites
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The 1959 mining boom turned Virginia City into the most important settlement between Denver and San Francisco. Prospectors became instant millionaires and built mansions, imported furniture and fashions from Europe and the Orient and financed the Civil War. These nouveaux riche then went on to build empires around the world -- the finest example being San Francisco. At the peak of its glory Virginia City was a boisterous town with millions of dollars being made. People came from everywhere, including the "Bonanza Kings" of Irish descent: Mackay, Fair, Flood and O'Brien. Mark Twain also lived in Virginia City and began his writing career as a reporter for the local newspaper, "The Territorial Enterprise".The Mackay Mansion is a National Historic Landmark and open for tours year round. Built by George Randolph Hearst, the originator of the Hearst fortune in 1859, this authentic three-story, western-style Victorian mansion was the first home of grandeur built in Northern Nevada and is steeped in the history and romance of the Comstock. The acres of gardens are available for a memorable picnic where visitors can take in spectacular 100-mile views.
While in Virginia City, visit the Chollar Mine, the last remaining Comstock mine open to the public for tours. Founded in 1859, The Chollar Mine was the leading producer on the Comstock Lode and mined for 18 million dollars in silver and gold.
Carson City Historic Sites
Carson City, the capital city of Nevada, is a fabulous place to experience historic architecture and great museums. Explore the Kit Carson Trail, a postcard-perfect 2.5 mile path through Carson City's historical district. Simply follow the painted blue line and bronze medallions inlaid along the sidewalk, marking various landmarks, including Victorian mansions, courthouses, museums, churches, a depot and a brewery.
Historic Carson Valley
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