NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID RENO NV PERMIT NO. 20 P.O. Box 14003 FootPrints Reno, NV 89507 Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Historic Resources in the Truckee Meadows through Education, Advocacy, and Leadership.

vol. 10 no. 2 Spring 2007

Virginia Street Bridge, The Bridge of Sighs by Cindy Ainsworth

Author’s Note: In September 1997, Pat Ferraro Klos and William Fuller, hoped he had found “his silver” in the guise Charlotte Jones McConnell were assigned the task of selecting the of a primitive road, waystation and bridge. Coming to the new HRPS organization’s logo. They chose Loren Jahn’s rendering Truckee Meadows from Honey Lake, California, in 1859, he Bulk Rate Mail of the Virginia Street Bridge. As HRPS’ first president, Pat felt that claimed land along the Truckee upstream from the established FootPrints is mailed using a Bulk Rate this “historic symbol beautifully emigrant river crossings and Mail permit. If your address changes, please links both sides of our city, waystations near Glendale. Fuller send a note to HRPS, PO Box 14003, Reno culturally and emotionally.” cleared a road approximately NV 89507, with your address change. from Panther Valley south to Note that Bulk Rate mail is not forwarded. Ten years have passed since Huffaker, a route similar to the HRPS adopted the bridge as its present Virginia Street. symbol. In celebration, we at FootPrints felt it was time to By 1860, he had built a hotel not only share the stories and and crude bridge and founded myths surrounding the Virginia Fuller’s Crossing. According to SPRING PROGRAMS, 2007 HRPS Officers Street Bridge but to update our one description, the low bridge President: Joan Dyer 329-8744 readers on its current status. An was hardly substantial and had Jack Hursh Jr. – Program Chair: 746-3252 Vice President: Phyllis Cates important decision to refurbish to be “fastened down during Secretary: Joan Collins or replace the bridge as part of the high water.” All program events are on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7 pm, at Mt. Rose School Treasurer: Bill Walbridge Truckee River Flood Management (Lander Street between Taylor and LaRue, just off Arlington), unless otherwise noted. Board of Directors project will come this year. It is a Felvia Belaustegui, Gordon Foote, complex and difficult issue and I But it would be shrewd Fritz Grupe, Debbie Hinman, Jack Hursh Jr., businessman Myron Lake who Wednesday, April 25: Jim Smith, Marilyn Fuetsch Turville, hope you will find this article to 917 American LaFrance fire truck, first motorized hook and ladder truck for the City of Reno. Carrie Young be informative. would turn Fuller’s investments Jon Wagner, president of the Reno Fire Antique and Classic Apparatus will make a presentation into silver and in the process help Program establish what would become on the history of this vehicle’s use with the City of Reno. He’ll discuss finding the vehicle still in Jack Hursh Jr. 746-3252 uilt in 1905, the Virginia existence in Portola Valley, California, the reacquisition of the vehicle and the ongoing attempts the Reno township. Lake bought Membership Director Street Bridge has Fuller’s Crossing and the road in to restore the vehicle to be put on display for the public as an artifact of Reno’s history. withstood countless Gordon Foote 348-6455 B mid-1861. The lucrative business Virginia Street Bridge under construction in 1905. The Masonic floods and the wear and tear of of travelers from California to Wednesday, May 23: Walking Tours Building has not yet been built. The building is probably the daily traffic of every description the Comstock over Lake’s bridge Redfield coins. The Reno Coin Club will share with us the history and rarity of a collection of Ed Wishart Mapes Building, (not the hotel) which housed Gray Reid Wright from buggies to street cars and and road contributed to Lake’s coins found with the Redfield estate. Managing Editor Department Store. Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. bicycles to automobiles. At the increasing wealth. Carol Coleman center of Reno’s early history, March 23 through December 14, 2007: Nevada’s oldest functioning bridge is a significant part of our Editorial Staff Lake rebuilt the flimsy bridge in 1862, after early spring rain The Nevada State Railroad Museum and The Nevada Historical Society present an exhibition in city’s heritage. Kim Henrick flooded the valley, and he secured a franchise with the Nevada the Nevada Historical Society’s Changing Gallery: The Central Pacific Railroad and the Comstock. Debbie Hinman 322-9400 Linda Sievers Territorial legislature for the toll road and bridge. Although From Fuller to Lake’s Crossing Editorial Board limited to ten years, the funds from this franchise along and The Bridges In Between with the Lake House Inn and a grist mill north of the bridge, Mella Harmon Opinions expressed in FootPrints are those of the contributors and do not necessarily re- enabled him to buy the property that he would in turn sell to John Marschall The trickle-down opportunity from the discovery of the flect those of the editorial staff, the Historic Reno Preservation Society executive board or Charles Crocker and the Central Pacific Railroad in 1868 for a Editor Emeritus & FootPrints Founder rich Comstock Lode helped establish a little outpost along the general membership. FootPrints is a quarterly publication printed in Reno, Nevada. All train depot and Reno town site. rights reserved. © 2007 Historic Reno Preservation Society (HRPS). Sharon A. Walbridge a ford of the Truckee River and with it came the building of our first bridge. A former teamster and storekeeper, Charles Continued on page 2 Graphic Design: HRPS Web Site: http://historicreno.org/ Double Click Design, 324-5569 1 Virginia Street Bridge (continued)

Continued from page 1 A beautiful brick Riverside Hotel would pleasing outline and appropriate use of soon follow southwest of the bridge ornament.” Beautiful bridges “are a sure Reno’s civic center emerged south of in 1906. In conjunction with the new indication of a progressive community.” the bridge, when in 1871 the Nevada Virginia Street Bridge, the picture of This is reflected in the design of the legislature transferred the county seat progress was complete. Virginia Street Bridge with Leonard’s use from Washoe City to Reno. A new of graceful arches and scribed concrete courthouse was completed on land Beautiful Bridges, “A Sure Indication to look like masonry. The Beaux-Arts donated by Lake. It was turned over to of a Progressive Community” style lights and railing complimented Washoe County in 1873. Reno’s new urban awareness. Proponents of the new civic Lake’s rickety wooden bridge was improvement movement succeeded Construction began in July of 1905. A replaced by the county in 1877 with in having a bill passed in the 1905 temporary wooden bridge was erected a modern trestle-like iron bowstring Legislative session in support of building for traffic over the Truckee. Some of arch truss bridge, which was said to be a new Virginia Street Bridge. The the old heavy timbers from an earlier painted bright red. The bridge became Washoe County bridge commissioners bridge were found just below the a centerpiece of civic pride and was a chose John Leonard, a civil engineer streambed during the excavation stage favorite place to take a stroll. The bridge from San Francisco, to design the steel of construction. According to a 1945 continued to serve Reno Evening Gazette the community when article, laborers it was moved east to also found on the Rock Street, following river bed an old the construction of key-winding gold the present bridge. watch that “brought Ironically, the iron speculation amongst bridge washed away in the bystanders about the 1950 flood. the origin of the Membership Report November 24, 2006—March 1, 2007 timepiece.” Some Renewals: Ralph & Barbara Courtnay Winnie Herbert Ruth Olguin Richard & Maureen Wilde According to the thought it might have George & Mary Aker Elizabeth Creveling Larry Jacox Pat Quinlan Kay Wilkinson U.S. census, Reno’s been loot thrown over Phillis & Bruce Bassett Len Crocker Don Junell Ronald & Sharon Rachow Sharon & Ron Wilson population more than by a robber being Karl Breckenridge Daryl Drake Arlene Kramer Tom & Paula Ringkob doubled from 4,500 taken to jail several Anna Bridgman Merrily Duncan Marian LaVoy John & Mary Ryczkowski New Members: in 1900 to 10,867 in years before. Janet Brown Dave & Kathy Ebner Bill & Judy Lindquist James D Santini James & Susan Bellegante Evelyn Bourns 1910. Reno benefited Trudy & Peter Brussard Marie Edwards Larry & Cheryl Martin Russ Schooley economically from The contractor Mary Caspary Treat & Patty Cafferata Gordon & Carolyn Foote Joyce McCarty Carolynn Shamberger Ditton Family the mining boom in maintained a tight Darrel & Jackie Cain Don & Kay Fowler Sue McDowell Jan Shanks Tonopah and Goldfield Kara L Geiger The waters of the Truckee are at flood stage in 1907. Before the newly built U.S. Post Office schedule with only a Andra Carter Joan & Bob Gardner M. Hope Meek James & Jenni Sue by being the wholesale Dona Jeppson opened for business in April 1909, livery stables, a tombstone factory, a blacksmith’s shop, couple of exceptions. Tom & Phyllis Cates Italo & Gloria Gavazzi Joni & Monte Meridith Zona & Bob Therkelsen Theodore Oleson transportation law offices and a soap works occupied the (Mapes) lot at different times. To the right, City In August, a section Mary Chadwell Dori Goldman Rosemarie Miller Shirie Wallace Marcia Peck shipping hub for Hall looks like it might be freshly built and maybe not yet finished. of the south-end Delores & Press Clewe Lois Graves Dave & Sunny Minedew Diane Smith & Edward William C Thornton supplies to southern Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. abutment from the Ty Cobb Hancock & Hancock, Inc Nancy Oakley Waselewski Christine Wells Nevada. A more old iron bridge caved permanent, influential population of reinforced concrete bridge and the in, damming the water in a construction bankers, cattlemen’s families and mine Oakland, California firm of Cotton ditch. Terrified workmen jumped to avoid Virginia Street at the owners took up residence in Reno’s new Brothers and Company to build it. being caught. Luckily no one was injured. bridge, about 1907. housing additions. From the left, The reinforced concrete bridge building The concrete work was completed ahead the old Riverside, the By the 1900s, Reno was moving away method was still in its infancy when of the November 12th contract deadline, bridge, the Masonic from its pioneer roots and into the Leonard was awarded this project. but there was a delay in delivery of Building, the Mapes modern world. The city was taking on a Although this would be his first the railings and electric light fixtures. Building with more metropolitan feel. Automobilists reinforced concrete project, he would go Nevertheless, according to the November Gray Reid Wright took to the dusty streets in their new on to become California’s preeminent 15, 1905 Reno Evening Gazette, the Department Store on steam or electric “devil wagons,” as designer of this type of bridge. bridge commissioners threw open first floor. Post Office one local newspaper called them. The the bridge for public use. The entire not yet built. new Carnegie Library popped up on Leonard was a firm believer in the day, “long wagons, automobiles and Courtesy of the the southern bank of the Truckee, on esthetics of concrete bridges and noted pedestrians passed over it,” although Neal Cobb Collection. the east side of Virginia Street. Kitty- in the 1913 publication, The Concrete “earth covering the bridge is yet soft cornered from that, to the northwest of Bridge, “conformity with environment … and bicyclists are unable to ride over it.” the bridge, was the Masonic building. “The new structure pleases everyone 2 11 Historic Maps Online — Next Best Thing Virginia Street Bridge (continued) by Kim Henrick and as soon as it is paved it will be one and then Lake’s Crossing. It is an area so too is its ability to withstand the recently received an exciting email might find the note that says, “Springs, for downtown Reno in 1889.) Where of the best bridges on the coast.” teeming with our most important sometime raging waters of the Truckee from Linda Newman, the Geosci- surrounded with wild PEA VINES, from you see Mount Diablo Meridian plats historical resources such as the Washoe River that have caused major flooding I ence and Map Librarian in the Mary which The District takes its name.” on the right of the screen, scroll up and Reno’s lucrative migratory divorce trade County Courthouse, the Riverside in downtown Reno and Sparks. The B. Ansari Map Library at the University The map also shows a large area called select Range 19 East. When that range contributed to one of our most beloved Artists Lofts, the Post Office and the Truckee has gone over its banks at the of Nevada, Reno. Linda invites HRPS “Lemmon’s Valley,” and the rich bird map appears, scroll down on the left bridge tales—the divorcee’s tossing of the Virginia Street Bridge. bridge in 1907, 1927, 1950, 1955, 1986, members to visit UNR’s Nevada in Maps nature study area at “Swan Lake,” in the side of the screen and select Township wedding ring from the Virginia Street 1997 and 2005. The river will rise, no website. I jumped on the attrac- present-day Lemmon Valley area. 19 North. This map shows the Truckee Bridge. This all started most likely with Not only does the bridge stand as a question. How best to protect the city tive website and within seconds River running west to east the 1927 publication of Tom Gilbert’s testament to our past civic pride and against flooding is an issue. (I have DSL now, obviously), through downtown Reno. Find book Reno! ‘It Won’t Be Long Now’: a fine example of early concrete bridge I was immersed in a colorful Section 11 (below the bold Ninety Days and Freedom. He suggested technology, it is a part of Reno’s unique Between 1992 and 1996, an environ- visual Nevada history tour. Over name “RENO”) at the Virginia that the practice was so widespread that migratory divorce history. The bridge is mental study was conducted to evaluate 500 historic maps and atlases of Street bridge and you’ll see fish in the Truckee River sported golden also located on what was an important the Center and Virginia Street Bridges. Nevada (with mining, geologic “Lake’s Bridge” and “Lake’s Ho- rings on their fins. Colorful phrases like early north/south road leading through The Center Street Bridge needed to be and topographic themes) were tel,” both important structures “Bridge of Meditation” replaced due to advanced scanned and made available on- in the history of Reno. You can and “Bridge of Sighs” can deterioration. The Virginia line to map lovers everywhere. find range and township num- be credited to Gilbert. Street Bridge showed These high resolution map im- bers for your own areas of inter- signs of deteriora- ages are the next best thing to est by consulting topographical For years, national tion but according to a working with the exquisite but maps and atlases, which are magazines, newspapers Nevada Department of fragile originals. readily available at some librar- and movies perpetuated Transportation report, the ies and for purchase at some lo- the tale of the rings. bridge could be rehabili- I found the Nevada in Maps cal stores. Select home again and Was it a myth or did the tated because of the “sig- website to be extremely user- you’re ready to venture through years of publicity actually nificant amount of reserve friendly. Come with me on a the rest of Nevada’s map history turn this into a Reno strength,” and at the few quick tours so you too will on your own. tradition? Did those time it passed the 50-year get hooked on these incredible divorcees pawn their flood protection level. rings at the conveniently maps. First, type this internet Don’t forget to visit the col- located “End of the Trail” A 1996 agreement known address into your computer’s lections titled Nevada History pawnshop and then as the Memorandum internet browser: http://www. in Maps and Highway maps proceed to the dime store of Agreement was delamare.unr.edu/maps/digi- (1917-2003). talcollections/nvmaps/ to get to buy a cheap imitation executed between the for the ceremonial toss? Virginia Street Bridge, 1910. City Hall built in 1906. Post Office built in 1908, Nevada State Historic to the Nevada in Maps website You are welcome to download home page. Now select About One can only speculate opened in 1909. Majestic Theater (see side of building at right) built in 1910. The Preservation Office, and print these maps, but but those tales certainly YMCA would be built in 1911 and would block the view of City Hall. Note the Federal Highway the Collections and read the short be sure to give the appropri- introduction, then select View contributed to Reno’s streetcars. Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. Administration, ate credit with wording such national notoriety and to Nevada Department the Collections (in the upper right This map is called “Washoe Silver Region 1862 “ from the “Historic as: “This digital map image of your screen). Here we go. our heritage. Nevada and California. After 1913, the of Transportation, City of Reno and geologic and mining maps and atlases (1848-1950) collection.” is from the Mary B. Ansari bridge became a part of America’s first the Advisory Council on Historic It shows the traditional Comstock area and Washoe area, but it Map Library, University of In 1980, the Virginia Street Bridge transcontinental highway link through Preservation that allowed for the Select the second item called also shows Galena on the upper left. Nevada, Reno.” Good luck. was nominated to the United States Reno, the Lincoln Highway. Losing the replacement of the Center Street Bridge Historic geologic and mining Courtesy of the Mary B. Ansari Map Library, UNR. Enjoy. I’m off to see if any wild Department of the Interior’s National while requiring the rehabilitation of the maps and atlases (1848-1950). bridge would mean losing a piece of our PEA VINES still surround the Register of Historic Places. The bridge history. Virginia Street Bridge. Next, select Washoe County and GO. This Now, at the extreme top left of your springs on Peavine Mountain. was chosen because of its architectural, will bring up 13 thumb-nail sized maps. screen, select home. (You can do this any engineering and transportation A quote from former Judge Peter Breen The Center Street Bridge was replaced Browse through them for your own time you get lost or just want to start significance. The fact that it was from Scenic Nevada’s 2007 Nevada’s LAST by 1998, but work was halted on the All information for this article enjoyment, but for this exercise, select the fresh.) Select View the Collections again, Nevada’s first reinforced concrete bridge CHANCE Scenic Places publication sums it Virginia Street Bridge to further study came from the University of map called Peavine Copper Mines (1867). but this time choose Plats of Nevada and was the focal point of the small city up beautifully, “Virginia Street has been its hydraulic capacity. In the meantime, Nevada, Reno, “Nevada in Maps” This map shows a flurry of mining notes State Lands (1867 to 1927). According to during the early 20th century further the main thoroughfare in the City of necessary bridge rehabilitation has been website. I would like to thank Linda and designations on Peavine Mountain. Linda, there are over 3,000 historic plat helped in the selection. Reno. If the Virginia Street Bridge goes, placed on hold while being reviewed as Newman, her staff, and the various (Note: At the top of each map you’ll see maps now on this site. Read the short we will truly be burning the last bridge part of the Truckee River Flood Project. Nevada maps archives, for bring- directional arrows you can click on to introduction and now let’s select the When visitors interested in history or to our past.” move up, down, right or left on the map, plat map for this tour. (To view a plat ing these exciting Nevada atlases architecture come to town they want Many of you have no doubt followed and you’ll also see a magnifying glass so map you need to know the range and and maps to the general public. to know where to go to have a genuine The Bridge’s Fate the progress of the Truckee River you can zoom in (+) on a spot or zoom township numbers designated for that historical experience. When in Reno, Flood Project. The main goal is out (-) for a larger view.) Find Section area, but for this tour I’ll provide the Kim Henrick is a member of most will head toward history central, The long-term condition of the Virginia FootPrints Editorial Staff. 12, near the center of the map, and you correct numbers to view the plat map the place where Reno started as Fuller’s Street Bridge is a major concern, but Continued on page 4

10 3 Virginia Street Bridge (continued) The Mapes Hotel & Casino (continued)

Continued from page 3 protection the Living River Plan has As a plus, there is still Federal Highway already adopted. Administration money from the 1996 river side of the main floor or on the top rooms, the Money Tree could not com- That was the condition of the building “management of flood waters to Center Street Bridge agreement that floor outside the Sky Room. The guests pete. He was forced to close not only the when they sold it to the Reno Redevelop- protect life and property.” This is a At the March 16, 2007 FPCC meeting could be applied to the rehabilitation also had a choice of two bars for liquid re- Money Tree Casino but also the Mapes ment Agency in 1996 for $4,000,000. the Army Corps of Engineers of the Virginia Street Bridge with the freshments, either in the cocktail lounge Hotel on December 17, 1982, owing the joint effort among the cities of Reno, In September 1999, the Reno City Council announced that the Ferrari Shields bypass design. On the other hand, the on the main floor between the casino and bank $15,000,000. At the foreclosure sale, Sparks, Washoe County, the U.S. voted to demolish the hotel, and gleefully bypass design, among other things, City of Reno would have to return this dining room or in the Sky Room bar on First Interstate Bank, the only bidder, paid Army Corps of Engineers and other discussed who would “push the plunger” did not take into account the debris federal money if they decide to replace the top floor. Huge mirrors hung over the $6,000,000 for the hotel. stakeholders. Ultimately, this project to bring down the building. Thousands of load and therefore was not a viable the bridge. back bar in the main floor cocktail lounge. will determine whether to replace or Over the years, there were many propos- the 180,480 Reno citizens watched either rehabilitate the bridge. solution. This was obviously a setback Diffused lighting reflected on the guests, for the preservation of the bridge. According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, carpeted floor and mirrored als and prospective buyers for the hotel. in person or on television as Clauss Con- Truckee River Flood Management is on March 28, 2007, the Reno City pillars. A long curved bar that struction demolished the hotel made up of staff, working groups, The Army Corps of Engineers will Council unanimously recommended snaked along the pillars was on that wintery Super Bowl committees and the Flood Project recommend replacement with a clear that the Virginia Street Bridge be outside the Sky Room on the Sunday morning of January 30, Coordinating Committee (FPCC), span bridge but would not replace the torn down and replaced. The final west side of the building. In- 2000. Charles Mapes was not which is a coalition decision by the Flood stead of a back bar, the patrons present to witness the demise of local officials. The Project Coordinating had an unobstructed view of of his hotel; as he had died the community coalition Committee will be made the southwest sections of Reno, previous year, on May 13, 1999 has adopted a Living April 13, 2007. the rippling blue river, the foot- in California at age 78. hills and the Sierra Nevada. River Plan as the Locally Unbelievably, the council blew Preferred Plan (LPP), Information for this the hotel up with no plans for which includes a more Charles Mapes promoted the article came from: the future of the property. natural realignment hotel in various ways. Provoca- tive entertainment and famous Now, Renoites are watching of the river. Along A special thank you to hopefully to see if the Reno City with the Army Mella Rothwell Harmon showbiz people drew guests to the hotel. The Sky Room Council will create an elegant Corps of Engineers’ for her assistance; Annie location that draws people to National Economic Estelle Prouty, M. A., shows were more lavish in the 1940s and 1950s than in the the heart of town for a new Development plan, “Development of Reno chapter in Reno’s history. the LPP will eventually In Relationship To Its 1960s. Not all the entertain- go before Congress for Topography,” Nevada ers were known stars, but singing, dancing and comedy 1954. The locals called the “crosswalk” the “scramble system.” You authorization for partial State Historical Soci- could cross north, south, east, west or diagonally. On the marquee, Patty Cafferata is the were often part of the floor funding of the project. ety Papers, 1923-1924; “The Szonys, Dancing to the Music of Eddie Fitzpatrick’s Orchestra.” author of the book, Mapes shows and casino/lounge acts. Virginia Street Bridge with the old Riverside Hotel to the right of the bridge John Snyder and Steve The Szonys were Ferenc Szony’s parents and were professional dancers. Hotel: The History of Reno’s The good news is A few of the better-known and Carnegie Library to the left. Mt. Rose is in the background. Mikesell, “The Consult- Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. Landmark Hotel, on sale the LPP calls for the ing Engineer and Early entertainers included the Marx at Sundance Bookstore, Picture courtesy of Mella Harmon. Some of the proposals were for condo- rehabilitation of the Concrete Bridges in Brothers, who were comedians, singers the Nevada Historical Society and miniums, apartments, hotel with a casi- Virginia Street Bridge if California,” Concrete Vic Damone, Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, Borders. She is also the author pianist Liberace and burlesque dancer no, hotel without a casino, and combined at all feasible. The staff and FPCC are failing north-bank flood walls. This International, May 1994; National of Lake Mansion: Home to Reno’s Gypsy Rose Lee. multiple uses of offices, restaurants, looking at alternatives to replacement recommendation is based only on a Register of Historic Places Inventory- Founding Families; The Goldfield shops, apartments and parking. Although of the bridge. The bad news is if 40- to 50-year flood event protection Nomination Form, Virginia Street Hotel: Gem of the Desert and co- In addition, Charles Mapes resorted to the building was structurally sound, the these alternatives are not feasible level. The Ferrari-Shields Design and the Bridge, 1980; “Virginia St. Bridge authored Barbara F. Vucanovich: other types of activities to fill the Mapes, plate and column construction of the due to costs or not meeting flood Corps’ replacement alternative cannot Started 40 Years Ago,” Reno Evening From Nebraska to Congress and flow estimates, then the FPCC could be directly compared because of the frequently these activities involved a building prevented any extensive remod- Gazette, July 4, 1945, p. 7; Various sport or sporting event, such as a golf Back Again. recommend replacement. different levels of flood protection. bridge articles from 1905-06 Reno eling of the structure. Unfortunately, tournament or a hydroplane race. And Ms. Cafferata is a life-long Reno Evening Gazettes; John M. Townley, most of the guest rooms were too small Charles continued the Mapes family’s Resident, attended her high The Ferrari-Shields Design is one of At the March 16 meeting the Truckee Tough Little Town on the Truckee, 1983; for modern expectations. sponsorship of the Reno Rodeo that his school Senior Prom in the Sky the alternatives to replacement that River Flood Management Project staff Truckee River Flood Project website, grandfather helped to found in 1919. Finally, in June 1988 George Karadanis Room of the Mapes Hotel in the FPCC is reviewing. The design presented four Federal-Local cost share www.truckeeflood.us; Virginia Street and Robert Maloff, partners in the Sun- 1958. An attorney, she represent- includes bypass channels around the options which include the Corps’ clear Bridge report, Nevada Department of Regrettably, the good times did not last downer Hotel, bought the Mapes Hotel ed the National Trust for Historic bridge, replacing the aging flood walls span design and the bypass design. Transportation, February 2005; Fer- forever. In the summer of 1978, several for an alleged sum of $2,350,000. During Preservation in the lawsuit to pre- at the north bank and widening the The FPCC will review these and will rari-Shields Design. river channel at the narrowest part take into account other factors such as major hotels/casinos opened in Reno, their ownership, they sold the furnish- vent the demolition of the Mapes between Sierra Street and Virginia the level of protection, functionality, Cindy Ainsworth is a past president such as the Sahara Reno, Circus Circus, ings and the fixtures for salvage. As a Hotel. She is a former Treasurer Street. This design offers flood hydraulic performance, schedule for of HRPS. She is a HRPS tour guide and MGM Grand Hotel/Casino. About result, the building fell into disrepair with of the State of Nevada and a protection to the downtown at the completion and the aesthetics of each and a member of Reno’s Historic that time Charles unwisely borrowed broken windows, dust and dirt blowing past president of Historic Reno 100-year flood flow level, the level of option. Resources Commission. heavily for a major expansion of his Mon- inside and a leaking roof that caused the Preservation Society (HRPS). ey Tree Casino. Without parking or hotel parquet floor in the Sky Room to buckle.

4 9 It Is Not Just a Stump The Mapes Hotel & Casino (continued) by Carol Coleman

Continued from page 7 during the day. In every room the guest desk the three elevators with operators. live in a house in a forest (with my Nevada Historical Marker 193, near Hwy. The forest around our home was clear- could pull back the white sheers cover- (The elevators were automatic, but the husband and a dog). It’s off the Mt. 395 and the south end of Carson City, cut back in the late 1800s. Lumber cut fires that broke out in the building, all ing their window for a glimpse of Reno. Mapes family preferred to employ opera- Rose Highway on the east side of the marks the spot where Carson-Tahoe Lum- on these hills was transported down the Because bathtubs were nearly impossible tors during most of the hotel’s life.) No I were contained to the rooms where Sierra Nevada (Guy Rocha says I should ber and Fluming Company, the greatest mountain in V-flumes to V&T Railroad the fires began. No deaths or serious to procure after the war, many of the other structure in Nevada had as many el- say Carson Range) at the 6,000-foot level. of the Comstock lumbering combines, cars for shipment up to Virginia City. hotel rooms had only stall showers. The evators as the Mapes. The coffee shop was injuries were reported. We have beautiful, tall, three-needle pine operated in the Lake Tahoe Basin during rest of the rooms and all suites contained located off the lobby in the north side of We have a few of the stumps on our prop- trees called Ponderosa and Jeffrey Pine. 1870-1898. A twelve-mile V flume ran The hotel/casino building contained a combination tub and shower unit. the building, but it was not serving food erty and more in the 15-acre open space In the early morning and late evening from Spooner Summit to the lumberyard, about 147,500 square feet with during the Gala Grand Opening. behind us. We have a stump that had you can smell the Jeffrey Pine—it’s a where the V&T Railroad transported the basement and first two stories fallen over in the open space—we saved it lovely vanilla, butterscotch-like smell. Do timber to the Comstock. The operation larger than the upper floors. The The cosmopolitan night club, known and brought it into the front of the house hug a Jeffrey if you visit us. And, yes we ceased due to depletion of timber and the smaller top 10 stories were shaped as the Sky Room, located on the decline of mining on the Comstock. as “décor.” The stump is now standing like a J along the river, North Vir- top floor was a must see on every love it here. again in a place of honor. The stumps are ginia and First streets. guest’s list. At the time only a few antiques and I collect antiques. hotels in the country offered dining Among the trees around us, there are The townsfolk watched while work- on their top floors, and most of stumps. Some of the stumps are cut off Besides the trees, we also have sage and ers covered the first two floors of them had been remodeled to add at ground level. Others are tall, straggly bitter brush and cheat grass and Manza- the exterior of the hotel with what this exciting feature. Glass windows and weathered looking. When we have nita. These are low growing shrubs and appeared to be four by four cream- surrounded the top floor on the visitors, my husband asks them, “Why grasses that are very flammable. With colored terra cotta tiles. Actually, east, west and south sides of the do you suppose some stumps are tall?” the fire risk in the West, our Homeown- concrete was used for the tiles to building. The top floor also featured They make all sorts of guesses, but when er’s Association has applied for grants to save money. Rough textured red Art Deco aluminum railings embed- they note the stumps are weathered and assist with clearing brush and dead trees brick columns rose between the ded in a concrete balcony that jutted old, with prompting, they ultimately rea- in our open areas. This year, courtesy of windows of the upper stories. out over the building like a hat brim. son that the stumps have been there for a grant, a lot of the brush and dead trees a long time. The stumps are tall because were cut down by hand and/or chopped The estimated costs to complete The Sky Room was tastefully they were cut down with a two-man up with a machine called a masticator. the deluxe hotel ranged from decorated following the Art Deco saw, not a power saw. A two man saw $2,500,000 to $3,000,000. The structure of the hotel. The floral typically left a stump at the three to four What has happened to our precious construction was financed by the carpeting harmonized with the feet height, depending on the comfort stumps? Despite my husband’s instruc- Bank of America, First National wall and pillar coverings of styl- level of the saw. tions, the crew clearing brush and trees Bank of Nevada and the Reconstruc- ized leaves and flowers in muted cut down many of the Comstock stumps. tion Finance Agency (RFC), a federal blues and greens. The tables were Beginning in the 1860s, booming com- They perhaps didn’t understand about government agency. covered with crisp white damask munities such as Virginia City inspired A Comstock stump in the forest near the Mt. and certainly didn’t appreciate our “Com- tablecloths and matching napkins, lumbering in the Sierra Nevada. Mines Rose Highway. The tree was probably cut stock stumps.” The Comstock stumps The hotel catered to overnight and were illuminated by small table required wood for building, to fuel down in the 1860s. Note the wide base at the are part of our history and they are all stump. What we see of the stump today is guests and long-term residents. lamps or metal cylinder shades over furnaces, and to assemble support sys- around us if we take care of them. So, The eight residential floors were just the heartwood. The 1946 Rodeo Parade. Note the Mapes Hotel and Casino flickering candles. Indirect lighting tems underground. my husband is bringing the injured and advertised to contain 300 rooms as Photo courtesy of Sam Coleman. under construction on the right of the picture. lent an air of romance to the room. impaired stumps back to our house, and well as 40 suites, each with a living Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. The food was served on fine por- Philipp Deidesheimer, a Comstock min- placing them around the property. We’re room, dining room, kitchen, bed- celain plates; the guests ate with ing engineer, exacerbated the problem In the Lake Tahoe Basin, a railroad was built from Glenbrook Bay to Spooner doing our bit in historic preservation by room and tiled bathroom. Three of the Using five different color schemes for the hollow handled silverware. with his 1860 invention of the square-set Summit. By 1895, 47,000 acres of timber saving the Comstock stumps. A Comstock suites on each floor were located at the guest rooms and suites, Gladys Mapes system, which dramatically increased had been cut. Barely 950 acres of usable stump is not “just a stump.” three outside rounded corners, while and her daughter Gloria shopped for the The guests could dance on the inlaid demand for timber. To support the exca- pine stands remained. During 28 years the other two suites had a bay window furniture in a San Francisco showroom. hardwood floor or watch a floor show vations previously, timber sets consist- of logging activity, it is estimated that Information for this article came for guests to gaze at the blue waters of In addition to the French-style pieces on the stage at the north end of the ing of vertical members on either side more than 750,000,000 board feet of from: the river. The corner suites were unique they purchased, they furnished some room. The Sky Room kitchen was capable of the diggings were capped by a third lumber and 500,000 cords of wood were because the corridor could be closed suites with a few of the family’s Victo- of serving as many as 400 people at horizontal member. The Comstock ore “Comstock Lode,” http:// logged. In the words of Dan DeQuille, off and up to five additional bedrooms rian antiques. one meal; lunch and dinner were served bodies, however, were too large for this en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comstock_ “the Comstock lode was the tomb of the added. (Marilyn Monroe stayed in one daily. The hotel contained three kitchens method. Instead, as ore was removed it Lode; “Lake Tahoe, California and forests of Tahoe.” of these suites during most of the film- Construction began in January 1946, that were equipped with stainless steel was replaced by timbers set as a cube six Nevada,” http://www.geog.psu. ing of the Misfits.) and when the hotel officially opened on fixtures, electric ranges, charcoal broilers edu/vegdyn/lake_tahoe.html; feet on a side. Thus, the ore body would Archaeologists have identified nine- December 17, 1947, the Mapes family in- and the latest in modern dish washing http://; “Early Lumber Industry,” be progressively replaced with a timber teenth-century lumber camps through- The standard guest rooms were about vited everyone in Reno to attend in either and sterilizing equipment. www.onlinenevada.org/early_lum- the size of a single car garage. The tiny lattice. By this method of building up out the Sierra Nevada along with sys- full dress or cowboy boots and attire. As squares of framed timbers, an ore vein of ber_industry. rooms were designed to accommodate people swarmed into the hotel lobby, they The visitors had an opportunity to tems of roads, flumes, and narrow-gauge a single twin bed that served as a couch gamble in the casino area either along the any width could be safely worked to any railroad right-of-ways. Carol Coleman is the Managing saw across from the hotel registration height or depth. Editor of FootPrints.

8 5 The Mapes Hotel and Casino, Reno’s Landmark Hotel 2007 HRPS Historic Preservation Month Walking Tours by Patty Cafferata

Historic Reno Preservation Society will present nine historic walking tours and one bike tour hen the Reno City Council the property. Unfortunately, Charles Sr. the buildings she was familiar with, such during Historic Preservation Month this May. All tours are $10 per person; they generally last demolished the glamorous passed away months later due to compli- as, the Art Deco Empire State Building about 2 hours. No dogs, please. Helmets are required for the bike tour. If you would like to W Mapes Hotel on January 30, cations from an infection in his leg. His and the Chrysler Building. The Art Deco attend, please call 747-HIST (4478) to reserve space. 2000, a significant era of Reno’s his- leg was broken when his horse slipped architectural style was developed at the tory and culture was destroyed. From in the mud and fell on Charles. Because Exposition Des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, December 1947 to December 1982, this of World War II, his family was forced France in 1925. Tuesday, BRICKS AND STONES - A walk in the vernacular Humboldt and Lander Streets Neighborhood. hotel was the site where Renoites and to delay the construction of the hotel. May 1, 2007 Discover the architectural treasure trove of this area, a mix of bungalows, Tudor and mission tourists celebrated impor- Gladys and Charles retained 6 p.m. revivals and cottage styles. Begins at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue. Tour guide, tant family and community the experienced hotel de- Tracy Soliday. occasions, shared meals, con- sign architect F.H. Slocombe Saturday, BEYOND THE ARCHES – Learn Reno history with a walk through old and new downtown noting ducted business meetings, and from Oakland, California, to design their hotel and they May 5, 2007 the historic banks, the railroad depot and the oldest existing commercial building. Meet at the were entertained. hired Theodore P. Moorehead, 10 a.m. National Automobile Museum parking lot (far southeast corner), 10 Lake Street. Tour guide, The historic Mapes Hotel Civil Engineer, to manage its Sharon Honig-Bear. was the forerunner of later construction. The building Tuesday, UNIVERSITY HISTORIC DISTRICT (CAMPUS) - Visit Morrill Hall, Mackay School of Mines, the casino/hotel operations built plans were frequently changed, May 8, 2007 Keck Museum, and learn the history of this beautiful campus. Meet at Honor Court, 9th and specifically to offer gaming, and construction was delayed 6 p.m. Center Street. Tour Guide, Jack Hursh. rooms and suites, restaurants due to the lack of materials and bars, and entertainment in the post-war economy. The Saturday, NEWLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD - An architectural walk through one of Reno’s oldest and most all under one roof. A magnifi- building was erected using May 12, 2007 prestigious neighborhoods. Meet at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue. Tour guide, cent building, the twelve-story reinforced concrete in a curtain 10 a.m. Scott Gibson. Mapes Hotel was the tallest column-and-plate-floor style of building in Nevada and the first construction. None of the exte- Tuesday, WELLS AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD – Take a stroll through a working class neighborhood major high rise hotel built in rior walls was weight bearing. May 15, 2007 along the path of the Wells Avenue streetcar, across from the V&T tracks, past the homes of this country after World War II. 6 p.m. the “Thoma Street Gang.” Meet at Southside School, Sinclair & Liberty Streets. Tour Guide, Building materials and labor Mark Taxer. The story of the Mapes Hotel were supplied by local busi- can only be told by describing nesses. For example, Alpine Saturday, FOURTH STREET CORRIDOR – Rediscover the historic origins of Highway 40 and the Lincoln the Mapes family who built the Glass furnished the windows; May 19, 2007 Highway, stopping to appreciate the Barengo building, Flanigan Warehouse, and other opulent structure. The family Flanigan Warehouse sup- 10 a.m. vestiges of the corridor’s heyday. Meet at Louis’ Basque Corner, 301 E. 4th Street. Tour was among the earliest settlers plied the cement; Earl Games guide, Cindy Ainsworth. in the Reno area. The family excavated the property; Tom Sunday, BIKE TOUR THROUGH OLD RENO – Ride along quiet streets under a canopy of trees in patriarch George W. Mapes Joyce installed the composi- May 20, 2007 Reno’s oldest neighborhoods. Meet at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue. HELMETS and his brother Ira were run- tion floors; Osborne & Kitchen delivered the kitchen equip- 10 a.m. REQUIRED, NO EXCEPTIONS. Limited to 20 bikers. Tour guide, Glee Willis. ning cattle through the Truckee Meadows as early as the 1860s. ment; Camille Solari & Sons Tuesday, UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD – A walk through an historic and possibly endangered Later, George was active in grained the metal doors; Yancy May 22, 2007 neighborhood at the foot of the campus, with vintage Queen Anne homes, charming Reno’s business and banking Roofing built the roof; Ready- 6 p.m. bungalows and intriguing stories. Meet at the base of the 9th Street university steps. Tour communities. He even owned Mix Concrete, Saviers Electrical guides, Debbie Hinman & Jack Hursh. the Palace Hotel on Commercial Products, Reno Press Brick and Row in the early 1900s. Commercial Hardware contrib- Saturday, PARSONS/MILLS ARCHITECTURE – Join us for a stroll in one of Reno’s most unique The Mapes Hotel and Casino with the delicate railings and balconies uted materials. May 26, 2007 neighborhoods to view the distinguished designs of two famous local architects, Edward Parsons After he died, his son Charles of the Sky Room. Circa mid-fifties, a major remodel included the 10 a.m. and Russell Mills. Meet at the corner of Marsh and LaRue Avenues. Tour guide, Anne Simone. Mapes Sr. planned to build an backwards “7” sign announcing the “Sky Room.” In constructing the hotel, Note the fisherman in the river. Charles sought the maximum Tuesday, MONROE STREET NEIGHBORHOOD - Stroll along Monroe and Joaquin Miller Streets, savoring elegant hotel as a monument to his late father, at the southeast Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. in fire safety, so the rooms May 29, 2007 the history and architecture of this lovely residential area south of the Newlands Neighborhood. were built without transoms, corner of N. Virginia and First After the war ended Charles Mapes Jr. 6 p.m. See the Hart House, the Patrick Ranch House, Greystone Castle, and other distinctive homes. streets, on the north bank of the Truckee and all moldings, window sashes and Meet at the corner of Monroe St. and Manor Dr. Tour guides, Elsie Newman and Anne Simone. returned home and the family discussed baseboards were of aluminum. The River. Charles Sr. mistakenly believed building its dream hotel. that his father had previously owned the grained hollow metal doors and the Created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1971, Historic Preservation Month celebrates historical preservation land and operated a grain store there. plaster-covered terra cotta column efforts and historical landmarks. The annual event showcases state history and preservation through lectures, open houses, When the hotel was built, it was con- sidered not only the most elegant and walls were intended to contain any walking tours, exhibits and much more. From the 2006 Reno City Council proclamation on Historic Preservation Week: Historic Charles Sr. and his wife Gladys purchased fire to a single living unit with a preservation is an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining com- luxurious hotel in Nevada, but also the property from the City of Reno in one of the finest in the country. Gladys four-hour fire resistance rating. The munity character while enhancing livability. Historic preservation is relevant for communities across the nation, both urban and 1937. At that time, the white columned, rural, and for Americans of all ages, all walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds; Historic Preservation is important to celebrate Mapes, a New York native, envisioned design was successful; of the three red brick federal post office stood on the role of history in our lives and the contributions made by dedicated individuals in helping to preserve the tangible aspects of that their family hotel would look like Continued on page 8 the heritage that has shaped us as a people. 6 7 The Mapes Hotel and Casino, Reno’s Landmark Hotel 2007 HRPS Historic Preservation Month Walking Tours by Patty Cafferata

Historic Reno Preservation Society will present nine historic walking tours and one bike tour hen the Reno City Council the property. Unfortunately, Charles Sr. the buildings she was familiar with, such during Historic Preservation Month this May. All tours are $10 per person; they generally last demolished the glamorous passed away months later due to compli- as, the Art Deco Empire State Building about 2 hours. No dogs, please. Helmets are required for the bike tour. If you would like to W Mapes Hotel on January 30, cations from an infection in his leg. His and the Chrysler Building. The Art Deco attend, please call 747-HIST (4478) to reserve space. 2000, a significant era of Reno’s his- leg was broken when his horse slipped architectural style was developed at the tory and culture was destroyed. From in the mud and fell on Charles. Because Exposition Des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, December 1947 to December 1982, this of World War II, his family was forced France in 1925. Tuesday, BRICKS AND STONES - A walk in the vernacular Humboldt and Lander Streets Neighborhood. hotel was the site where Renoites and to delay the construction of the hotel. May 1, 2007 Discover the architectural treasure trove of this area, a mix of bungalows, Tudor and mission tourists celebrated impor- Gladys and Charles retained 6 p.m. revivals and cottage styles. Begins at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue. Tour guide, tant family and community the experienced hotel de- Tracy Soliday. occasions, shared meals, con- sign architect F.H. Slocombe Saturday, BEYOND THE ARCHES – Learn Reno history with a walk through old and new downtown noting ducted business meetings, and from Oakland, California, to design their hotel and they May 5, 2007 the historic banks, the railroad depot and the oldest existing commercial building. Meet at the were entertained. hired Theodore P. Moorehead, 10 a.m. National Automobile Museum parking lot (far southeast corner), 10 Lake Street. Tour guide, The historic Mapes Hotel Civil Engineer, to manage its Sharon Honig-Bear. was the forerunner of later construction. The building Tuesday, UNIVERSITY HISTORIC DISTRICT (CAMPUS) - Visit Morrill Hall, Mackay School of Mines, the casino/hotel operations built plans were frequently changed, May 8, 2007 Keck Museum, and learn the history of this beautiful campus. Meet at Honor Court, 9th and specifically to offer gaming, and construction was delayed 6 p.m. Center Street. Tour Guide, Jack Hursh. rooms and suites, restaurants due to the lack of materials and bars, and entertainment in the post-war economy. The Saturday, NEWLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD - An architectural walk through one of Reno’s oldest and most all under one roof. A magnifi- building was erected using May 12, 2007 prestigious neighborhoods. Meet at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue. Tour guide, cent building, the twelve-story reinforced concrete in a curtain 10 a.m. Scott Gibson. Mapes Hotel was the tallest column-and-plate-floor style of building in Nevada and the first construction. None of the exte- Tuesday, WELLS AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD – Take a stroll through a working class neighborhood major high rise hotel built in rior walls was weight bearing. May 15, 2007 along the path of the Wells Avenue streetcar, across from the V&T tracks, past the homes of this country after World War II. 6 p.m. the “Thoma Street Gang.” Meet at Southside School, Sinclair & Liberty Streets. Tour Guide, Building materials and labor Mark Taxer. The story of the Mapes Hotel were supplied by local busi- can only be told by describing nesses. For example, Alpine Saturday, FOURTH STREET CORRIDOR – Rediscover the historic origins of Highway 40 and the Lincoln the Mapes family who built the Glass furnished the windows; May 19, 2007 Highway, stopping to appreciate the Barengo building, Flanigan Warehouse, and other opulent structure. The family Flanigan Warehouse sup- 10 a.m. vestiges of the corridor’s heyday. Meet at Louis’ Basque Corner, 301 E. 4th Street. Tour was among the earliest settlers plied the cement; Earl Games guide, Cindy Ainsworth. in the Reno area. The family excavated the property; Tom Sunday, BIKE TOUR THROUGH OLD RENO – Ride along quiet streets under a canopy of trees in patriarch George W. Mapes Joyce installed the composi- May 20, 2007 Reno’s oldest neighborhoods. Meet at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue. HELMETS and his brother Ira were run- tion floors; Osborne & Kitchen delivered the kitchen equip- 10 a.m. REQUIRED, NO EXCEPTIONS. Limited to 20 bikers. Tour guide, Glee Willis. ning cattle through the Truckee Meadows as early as the 1860s. ment; Camille Solari & Sons Tuesday, UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD – A walk through an historic and possibly endangered Later, George was active in grained the metal doors; Yancy May 22, 2007 neighborhood at the foot of the campus, with vintage Queen Anne homes, charming Reno’s business and banking Roofing built the roof; Ready- 6 p.m. bungalows and intriguing stories. Meet at the base of the 9th Street university steps. Tour communities. He even owned Mix Concrete, Saviers Electrical guides, Debbie Hinman & Jack Hursh. the Palace Hotel on Commercial Products, Reno Press Brick and Row in the early 1900s. Commercial Hardware contrib- Saturday, PARSONS/MILLS ARCHITECTURE – Join us for a stroll in one of Reno’s most unique The Mapes Hotel and Casino with the delicate railings and balconies uted materials. May 26, 2007 neighborhoods to view the distinguished designs of two famous local architects, Edward Parsons After he died, his son Charles of the Sky Room. Circa mid-fifties, a major remodel included the 10 a.m. and Russell Mills. Meet at the corner of Marsh and LaRue Avenues. Tour guide, Anne Simone. Mapes Sr. planned to build an backwards “7” sign announcing the “Sky Room.” In constructing the hotel, Note the fisherman in the river. Charles sought the maximum Tuesday, MONROE STREET NEIGHBORHOOD - Stroll along Monroe and Joaquin Miller Streets, savoring elegant hotel as a monument to his late father, at the southeast Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. in fire safety, so the rooms May 29, 2007 the history and architecture of this lovely residential area south of the Newlands Neighborhood. were built without transoms, corner of N. Virginia and First After the war ended Charles Mapes Jr. 6 p.m. See the Hart House, the Patrick Ranch House, Greystone Castle, and other distinctive homes. streets, on the north bank of the Truckee and all moldings, window sashes and Meet at the corner of Monroe St. and Manor Dr. Tour guides, Elsie Newman and Anne Simone. returned home and the family discussed baseboards were of aluminum. The River. Charles Sr. mistakenly believed building its dream hotel. that his father had previously owned the grained hollow metal doors and the Created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1971, Historic Preservation Month celebrates historical preservation land and operated a grain store there. plaster-covered terra cotta column efforts and historical landmarks. The annual event showcases state history and preservation through lectures, open houses, When the hotel was built, it was con- sidered not only the most elegant and walls were intended to contain any walking tours, exhibits and much more. From the 2006 Reno City Council proclamation on Historic Preservation Week: Historic Charles Sr. and his wife Gladys purchased fire to a single living unit with a preservation is an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining com- luxurious hotel in Nevada, but also the property from the City of Reno in one of the finest in the country. Gladys four-hour fire resistance rating. The munity character while enhancing livability. Historic preservation is relevant for communities across the nation, both urban and 1937. At that time, the white columned, rural, and for Americans of all ages, all walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds; Historic Preservation is important to celebrate Mapes, a New York native, envisioned design was successful; of the three red brick federal post office stood on the role of history in our lives and the contributions made by dedicated individuals in helping to preserve the tangible aspects of that their family hotel would look like Continued on page 8 the heritage that has shaped us as a people. 6 7 It Is Not Just a Stump The Mapes Hotel & Casino (continued) by Carol Coleman

Continued from page 7 during the day. In every room the guest desk the three elevators with operators. live in a house in a forest (with my Nevada Historical Marker 193, near Hwy. The forest around our home was clear- could pull back the white sheers cover- (The elevators were automatic, but the husband and a dog). It’s off the Mt. 395 and the south end of Carson City, cut back in the late 1800s. Lumber cut fires that broke out in the building, all ing their window for a glimpse of Reno. Mapes family preferred to employ opera- Rose Highway on the east side of the marks the spot where Carson-Tahoe Lum- on these hills was transported down the Because bathtubs were nearly impossible tors during most of the hotel’s life.) No I were contained to the rooms where Sierra Nevada (Guy Rocha says I should ber and Fluming Company, the greatest mountain in V-flumes to V&T Railroad the fires began. No deaths or serious to procure after the war, many of the other structure in Nevada had as many el- say Carson Range) at the 6,000-foot level. of the Comstock lumbering combines, cars for shipment up to Virginia City. hotel rooms had only stall showers. The evators as the Mapes. The coffee shop was injuries were reported. We have beautiful, tall, three-needle pine operated in the Lake Tahoe Basin during rest of the rooms and all suites contained located off the lobby in the north side of We have a few of the stumps on our prop- trees called Ponderosa and Jeffrey Pine. 1870-1898. A twelve-mile V flume ran The hotel/casino building contained a combination tub and shower unit. the building, but it was not serving food erty and more in the 15-acre open space In the early morning and late evening from Spooner Summit to the lumberyard, about 147,500 square feet with during the Gala Grand Opening. behind us. We have a stump that had you can smell the Jeffrey Pine—it’s a where the V&T Railroad transported the basement and first two stories fallen over in the open space—we saved it lovely vanilla, butterscotch-like smell. Do timber to the Comstock. The operation larger than the upper floors. The The cosmopolitan night club, known and brought it into the front of the house hug a Jeffrey if you visit us. And, yes we ceased due to depletion of timber and the smaller top 10 stories were shaped as the Sky Room, located on the decline of mining on the Comstock. as “décor.” The stump is now standing like a J along the river, North Vir- top floor was a must see on every love it here. again in a place of honor. The stumps are ginia and First streets. guest’s list. At the time only a few antiques and I collect antiques. hotels in the country offered dining Among the trees around us, there are The townsfolk watched while work- on their top floors, and most of stumps. Some of the stumps are cut off Besides the trees, we also have sage and ers covered the first two floors of them had been remodeled to add at ground level. Others are tall, straggly bitter brush and cheat grass and Manza- the exterior of the hotel with what this exciting feature. Glass windows and weathered looking. When we have nita. These are low growing shrubs and appeared to be four by four cream- surrounded the top floor on the visitors, my husband asks them, “Why grasses that are very flammable. With colored terra cotta tiles. Actually, east, west and south sides of the do you suppose some stumps are tall?” the fire risk in the West, our Homeown- concrete was used for the tiles to building. The top floor also featured They make all sorts of guesses, but when er’s Association has applied for grants to save money. Rough textured red Art Deco aluminum railings embed- they note the stumps are weathered and assist with clearing brush and dead trees brick columns rose between the ded in a concrete balcony that jutted old, with prompting, they ultimately rea- in our open areas. This year, courtesy of windows of the upper stories. out over the building like a hat brim. son that the stumps have been there for a grant, a lot of the brush and dead trees a long time. The stumps are tall because were cut down by hand and/or chopped The estimated costs to complete The Sky Room was tastefully they were cut down with a two-man up with a machine called a masticator. the deluxe hotel ranged from decorated following the Art Deco saw, not a power saw. A two man saw $2,500,000 to $3,000,000. The structure of the hotel. The floral typically left a stump at the three to four What has happened to our precious construction was financed by the carpeting harmonized with the feet height, depending on the comfort stumps? Despite my husband’s instruc- Bank of America, First National wall and pillar coverings of styl- level of the saw. tions, the crew clearing brush and trees Bank of Nevada and the Reconstruc- ized leaves and flowers in muted cut down many of the Comstock stumps. tion Finance Agency (RFC), a federal blues and greens. The tables were Beginning in the 1860s, booming com- They perhaps didn’t understand about government agency. covered with crisp white damask munities such as Virginia City inspired A Comstock stump in the forest near the Mt. and certainly didn’t appreciate our “Com- tablecloths and matching napkins, lumbering in the Sierra Nevada. Mines Rose Highway. The tree was probably cut stock stumps.” The Comstock stumps The hotel catered to overnight and were illuminated by small table required wood for building, to fuel down in the 1860s. Note the wide base at the are part of our history and they are all stump. What we see of the stump today is guests and long-term residents. lamps or metal cylinder shades over furnaces, and to assemble support sys- around us if we take care of them. So, The eight residential floors were just the heartwood. The 1946 Rodeo Parade. Note the Mapes Hotel and Casino flickering candles. Indirect lighting tems underground. my husband is bringing the injured and advertised to contain 300 rooms as Photo courtesy of Sam Coleman. under construction on the right of the picture. lent an air of romance to the room. impaired stumps back to our house, and well as 40 suites, each with a living Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. The food was served on fine por- Philipp Deidesheimer, a Comstock min- placing them around the property. We’re room, dining room, kitchen, bed- celain plates; the guests ate with ing engineer, exacerbated the problem In the Lake Tahoe Basin, a railroad was built from Glenbrook Bay to Spooner doing our bit in historic preservation by room and tiled bathroom. Three of the Using five different color schemes for the hollow handled silverware. with his 1860 invention of the square-set Summit. By 1895, 47,000 acres of timber saving the Comstock stumps. A Comstock suites on each floor were located at the guest rooms and suites, Gladys Mapes system, which dramatically increased had been cut. Barely 950 acres of usable stump is not “just a stump.” three outside rounded corners, while and her daughter Gloria shopped for the The guests could dance on the inlaid demand for timber. To support the exca- pine stands remained. During 28 years the other two suites had a bay window furniture in a San Francisco showroom. hardwood floor or watch a floor show vations previously, timber sets consist- of logging activity, it is estimated that Information for this article came for guests to gaze at the blue waters of In addition to the French-style pieces on the stage at the north end of the ing of vertical members on either side more than 750,000,000 board feet of from: the river. The corner suites were unique they purchased, they furnished some room. The Sky Room kitchen was capable of the diggings were capped by a third lumber and 500,000 cords of wood were because the corridor could be closed suites with a few of the family’s Victo- of serving as many as 400 people at horizontal member. The Comstock ore “Comstock Lode,” http:// logged. In the words of Dan DeQuille, off and up to five additional bedrooms rian antiques. one meal; lunch and dinner were served bodies, however, were too large for this en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comstock_ “the Comstock lode was the tomb of the added. (Marilyn Monroe stayed in one daily. The hotel contained three kitchens method. Instead, as ore was removed it Lode; “Lake Tahoe, California and forests of Tahoe.” of these suites during most of the film- Construction began in January 1946, that were equipped with stainless steel was replaced by timbers set as a cube six Nevada,” http://www.geog.psu. ing of the Misfits.) and when the hotel officially opened on fixtures, electric ranges, charcoal broilers edu/vegdyn/lake_tahoe.html; feet on a side. Thus, the ore body would Archaeologists have identified nine- December 17, 1947, the Mapes family in- and the latest in modern dish washing http://; “Early Lumber Industry,” be progressively replaced with a timber teenth-century lumber camps through- The standard guest rooms were about vited everyone in Reno to attend in either and sterilizing equipment. www.onlinenevada.org/early_lum- the size of a single car garage. The tiny lattice. By this method of building up out the Sierra Nevada along with sys- full dress or cowboy boots and attire. As squares of framed timbers, an ore vein of ber_industry. rooms were designed to accommodate people swarmed into the hotel lobby, they The visitors had an opportunity to tems of roads, flumes, and narrow-gauge a single twin bed that served as a couch gamble in the casino area either along the any width could be safely worked to any railroad right-of-ways. Carol Coleman is the Managing saw across from the hotel registration height or depth. Editor of FootPrints.

8 5 Virginia Street Bridge (continued) The Mapes Hotel & Casino (continued)

Continued from page 3 protection the Living River Plan has As a plus, there is still Federal Highway already adopted. Administration money from the 1996 river side of the main floor or on the top rooms, the Money Tree could not com- That was the condition of the building “management of flood waters to Center Street Bridge agreement that floor outside the Sky Room. The guests pete. He was forced to close not only the when they sold it to the Reno Redevelop- protect life and property.” This is a At the March 16, 2007 FPCC meeting could be applied to the rehabilitation also had a choice of two bars for liquid re- Money Tree Casino but also the Mapes ment Agency in 1996 for $4,000,000. the Army Corps of Engineers of the Virginia Street Bridge with the freshments, either in the cocktail lounge Hotel on December 17, 1982, owing the joint effort among the cities of Reno, In September 1999, the Reno City Council announced that the Ferrari Shields bypass design. On the other hand, the on the main floor between the casino and bank $15,000,000. At the foreclosure sale, Sparks, Washoe County, the U.S. voted to demolish the hotel, and gleefully bypass design, among other things, City of Reno would have to return this dining room or in the Sky Room bar on First Interstate Bank, the only bidder, paid Army Corps of Engineers and other discussed who would “push the plunger” did not take into account the debris federal money if they decide to replace the top floor. Huge mirrors hung over the $6,000,000 for the hotel. stakeholders. Ultimately, this project to bring down the building. Thousands of load and therefore was not a viable the bridge. back bar in the main floor cocktail lounge. will determine whether to replace or Over the years, there were many propos- the 180,480 Reno citizens watched either rehabilitate the bridge. solution. This was obviously a setback Diffused lighting reflected on the guests, for the preservation of the bridge. According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, carpeted floor and mirrored als and prospective buyers for the hotel. in person or on television as Clauss Con- Truckee River Flood Management is on March 28, 2007, the Reno City pillars. A long curved bar that struction demolished the hotel made up of staff, working groups, The Army Corps of Engineers will Council unanimously recommended snaked along the pillars was on that wintery Super Bowl committees and the Flood Project recommend replacement with a clear that the Virginia Street Bridge be outside the Sky Room on the Sunday morning of January 30, Coordinating Committee (FPCC), span bridge but would not replace the torn down and replaced. The final west side of the building. In- 2000. Charles Mapes was not which is a coalition decision by the Flood stead of a back bar, the patrons present to witness the demise of local officials. The Project Coordinating had an unobstructed view of of his hotel; as he had died the community coalition Committee will be made the southwest sections of Reno, previous year, on May 13, 1999 has adopted a Living April 13, 2007. the rippling blue river, the foot- in California at age 78. hills and the Sierra Nevada. River Plan as the Locally Unbelievably, the council blew Preferred Plan (LPP), Information for this the hotel up with no plans for which includes a more Charles Mapes promoted the article came from: the future of the property. natural realignment hotel in various ways. Provoca- tive entertainment and famous Now, Renoites are watching of the river. Along A special thank you to hopefully to see if the Reno City with the Army Mella Rothwell Harmon showbiz people drew guests to the hotel. The Sky Room Council will create an elegant Corps of Engineers’ for her assistance; Annie location that draws people to National Economic Estelle Prouty, M. A., shows were more lavish in the 1940s and 1950s than in the the heart of town for a new Development plan, “Development of Reno chapter in Reno’s history. the LPP will eventually In Relationship To Its 1960s. Not all the entertain- go before Congress for Topography,” Nevada ers were known stars, but singing, dancing and comedy 1954. The locals called the “crosswalk” the “scramble system.” You authorization for partial State Historical Soci- could cross north, south, east, west or diagonally. On the marquee, Patty Cafferata is the were often part of the floor funding of the project. ety Papers, 1923-1924; “The Szonys, Dancing to the Music of Eddie Fitzpatrick’s Orchestra.” author of the book, Mapes shows and casino/lounge acts. Virginia Street Bridge with the old Riverside Hotel to the right of the bridge John Snyder and Steve The Szonys were Ferenc Szony’s parents and were professional dancers. Hotel: The History of Reno’s The good news is A few of the better-known and Carnegie Library to the left. Mt. Rose is in the background. Mikesell, “The Consult- Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. Landmark Hotel, on sale the LPP calls for the ing Engineer and Early entertainers included the Marx at Sundance Bookstore, Picture courtesy of Mella Harmon. Some of the proposals were for condo- rehabilitation of the Concrete Bridges in Brothers, who were comedians, singers the Nevada Historical Society and miniums, apartments, hotel with a casi- Virginia Street Bridge if California,” Concrete Vic Damone, Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, Borders. She is also the author pianist Liberace and burlesque dancer no, hotel without a casino, and combined at all feasible. The staff and FPCC are failing north-bank flood walls. This International, May 1994; National of Lake Mansion: Home to Reno’s Gypsy Rose Lee. multiple uses of offices, restaurants, looking at alternatives to replacement recommendation is based only on a Register of Historic Places Inventory- Founding Families; The Goldfield shops, apartments and parking. Although of the bridge. The bad news is if 40- to 50-year flood event protection Nomination Form, Virginia Street Hotel: Gem of the Desert and co- In addition, Charles Mapes resorted to the building was structurally sound, the these alternatives are not feasible level. The Ferrari-Shields Design and the Bridge, 1980; “Virginia St. Bridge authored Barbara F. Vucanovich: other types of activities to fill the Mapes, plate and column construction of the due to costs or not meeting flood Corps’ replacement alternative cannot Started 40 Years Ago,” Reno Evening From Nebraska to Congress and flow estimates, then the FPCC could be directly compared because of the frequently these activities involved a building prevented any extensive remod- Gazette, July 4, 1945, p. 7; Various sport or sporting event, such as a golf Back Again. recommend replacement. different levels of flood protection. bridge articles from 1905-06 Reno eling of the structure. Unfortunately, tournament or a hydroplane race. And Ms. Cafferata is a life-long Reno Evening Gazettes; John M. Townley, most of the guest rooms were too small Charles continued the Mapes family’s Resident, attended her high The Ferrari-Shields Design is one of At the March 16 meeting the Truckee Tough Little Town on the Truckee, 1983; for modern expectations. sponsorship of the Reno Rodeo that his school Senior Prom in the Sky the alternatives to replacement that River Flood Management Project staff Truckee River Flood Project website, grandfather helped to found in 1919. Finally, in June 1988 George Karadanis Room of the Mapes Hotel in the FPCC is reviewing. The design presented four Federal-Local cost share www.truckeeflood.us; Virginia Street and Robert Maloff, partners in the Sun- 1958. An attorney, she represent- includes bypass channels around the options which include the Corps’ clear Bridge report, Nevada Department of Regrettably, the good times did not last downer Hotel, bought the Mapes Hotel ed the National Trust for Historic bridge, replacing the aging flood walls span design and the bypass design. Transportation, February 2005; Fer- forever. In the summer of 1978, several for an alleged sum of $2,350,000. During Preservation in the lawsuit to pre- at the north bank and widening the The FPCC will review these and will rari-Shields Design. river channel at the narrowest part take into account other factors such as major hotels/casinos opened in Reno, their ownership, they sold the furnish- vent the demolition of the Mapes between Sierra Street and Virginia the level of protection, functionality, Cindy Ainsworth is a past president such as the Sahara Reno, Circus Circus, ings and the fixtures for salvage. As a Hotel. She is a former Treasurer Street. This design offers flood hydraulic performance, schedule for of HRPS. She is a HRPS tour guide and MGM Grand Hotel/Casino. About result, the building fell into disrepair with of the State of Nevada and a protection to the downtown at the completion and the aesthetics of each and a member of Reno’s Historic that time Charles unwisely borrowed broken windows, dust and dirt blowing past president of Historic Reno 100-year flood flow level, the level of option. Resources Commission. heavily for a major expansion of his Mon- inside and a leaking roof that caused the Preservation Society (HRPS). ey Tree Casino. Without parking or hotel parquet floor in the Sky Room to buckle.

4 9 Historic Maps Online — Next Best Thing Virginia Street Bridge (continued) by Kim Henrick and as soon as it is paved it will be one and then Lake’s Crossing. It is an area so too is its ability to withstand the recently received an exciting email might find the note that says, “Springs, for downtown Reno in 1889.) Where of the best bridges on the coast.” teeming with our most important sometime raging waters of the Truckee from Linda Newman, the Geosci- surrounded with wild PEA VINES, from you see Mount Diablo Meridian plats historical resources such as the Washoe River that have caused major flooding I ence and Map Librarian in the Mary which The District takes its name.” on the right of the screen, scroll up and Reno’s lucrative migratory divorce trade County Courthouse, the Riverside in downtown Reno and Sparks. The B. Ansari Map Library at the University The map also shows a large area called select Range 19 East. When that range contributed to one of our most beloved Artists Lofts, the Post Office and the Truckee has gone over its banks at the of Nevada, Reno. Linda invites HRPS “Lemmon’s Valley,” and the rich bird map appears, scroll down on the left bridge tales—the divorcee’s tossing of the Virginia Street Bridge. bridge in 1907, 1927, 1950, 1955, 1986, members to visit UNR’s Nevada in Maps nature study area at “Swan Lake,” in the side of the screen and select Township wedding ring from the Virginia Street 1997 and 2005. The river will rise, no website. I jumped on the attrac- present-day Lemmon Valley area. 19 North. This map shows the Truckee Bridge. This all started most likely with Not only does the bridge stand as a question. How best to protect the city tive website and within seconds River running west to east the 1927 publication of Tom Gilbert’s testament to our past civic pride and against flooding is an issue. (I have DSL now, obviously), through downtown Reno. Find book Reno! ‘It Won’t Be Long Now’: a fine example of early concrete bridge I was immersed in a colorful Section 11 (below the bold Ninety Days and Freedom. He suggested technology, it is a part of Reno’s unique Between 1992 and 1996, an environ- visual Nevada history tour. Over name “RENO”) at the Virginia that the practice was so widespread that migratory divorce history. The bridge is mental study was conducted to evaluate 500 historic maps and atlases of Street bridge and you’ll see fish in the Truckee River sported golden also located on what was an important the Center and Virginia Street Bridges. Nevada (with mining, geologic “Lake’s Bridge” and “Lake’s Ho- rings on their fins. Colorful phrases like early north/south road leading through The Center Street Bridge needed to be and topographic themes) were tel,” both important structures “Bridge of Meditation” replaced due to advanced scanned and made available on- in the history of Reno. You can and “Bridge of Sighs” can deterioration. The Virginia line to map lovers everywhere. find range and township num- be credited to Gilbert. Street Bridge showed These high resolution map im- bers for your own areas of inter- signs of deteriora- ages are the next best thing to est by consulting topographical For years, national tion but according to a working with the exquisite but maps and atlases, which are magazines, newspapers Nevada Department of fragile originals. readily available at some librar- and movies perpetuated Transportation report, the ies and for purchase at some lo- the tale of the rings. bridge could be rehabili- I found the Nevada in Maps cal stores. Select home again and Was it a myth or did the tated because of the “sig- website to be extremely user- you’re ready to venture through years of publicity actually nificant amount of reserve friendly. Come with me on a the rest of Nevada’s map history turn this into a Reno strength,” and at the few quick tours so you too will on your own. tradition? Did those time it passed the 50-year get hooked on these incredible divorcees pawn their flood protection level. rings at the conveniently maps. First, type this internet Don’t forget to visit the col- located “End of the Trail” A 1996 agreement known address into your computer’s lections titled Nevada History pawnshop and then as the Memorandum internet browser: http://www. in Maps and Highway maps proceed to the dime store of Agreement was delamare.unr.edu/maps/digi- (1917-2003). talcollections/nvmaps/ to get to buy a cheap imitation executed between the for the ceremonial toss? Virginia Street Bridge, 1910. City Hall built in 1906. Post Office built in 1908, Nevada State Historic to the Nevada in Maps website You are welcome to download home page. Now select About One can only speculate opened in 1909. Majestic Theater (see side of building at right) built in 1910. The Preservation Office, and print these maps, but but those tales certainly YMCA would be built in 1911 and would block the view of City Hall. Note the Federal Highway the Collections and read the short be sure to give the appropri- introduction, then select View contributed to Reno’s streetcars. Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. Administration, ate credit with wording such national notoriety and to Nevada Department the Collections (in the upper right This map is called “Washoe Silver Region 1862 “ from the “Historic as: “This digital map image of your screen). Here we go. our heritage. Nevada and California. After 1913, the of Transportation, City of Reno and geologic and mining maps and atlases (1848-1950) collection.” is from the Mary B. Ansari bridge became a part of America’s first the Advisory Council on Historic It shows the traditional Comstock area and Washoe area, but it Map Library, University of In 1980, the Virginia Street Bridge transcontinental highway link through Preservation that allowed for the Select the second item called also shows Galena on the upper left. Nevada, Reno.” Good luck. was nominated to the United States Reno, the Lincoln Highway. Losing the replacement of the Center Street Bridge Historic geologic and mining Courtesy of the Mary B. Ansari Map Library, UNR. Enjoy. I’m off to see if any wild Department of the Interior’s National while requiring the rehabilitation of the maps and atlases (1848-1950). bridge would mean losing a piece of our PEA VINES still surround the Register of Historic Places. The bridge history. Virginia Street Bridge. Next, select Washoe County and GO. This Now, at the extreme top left of your springs on Peavine Mountain. was chosen because of its architectural, will bring up 13 thumb-nail sized maps. screen, select home. (You can do this any engineering and transportation A quote from former Judge Peter Breen The Center Street Bridge was replaced Browse through them for your own time you get lost or just want to start significance. The fact that it was from Scenic Nevada’s 2007 Nevada’s LAST by 1998, but work was halted on the All information for this article enjoyment, but for this exercise, select the fresh.) Select View the Collections again, Nevada’s first reinforced concrete bridge CHANCE Scenic Places publication sums it Virginia Street Bridge to further study came from the University of map called Peavine Copper Mines (1867). but this time choose Plats of Nevada and was the focal point of the small city up beautifully, “Virginia Street has been its hydraulic capacity. In the meantime, Nevada, Reno, “Nevada in Maps” This map shows a flurry of mining notes State Lands (1867 to 1927). According to during the early 20th century further the main thoroughfare in the City of necessary bridge rehabilitation has been website. I would like to thank Linda and designations on Peavine Mountain. Linda, there are over 3,000 historic plat helped in the selection. Reno. If the Virginia Street Bridge goes, placed on hold while being reviewed as Newman, her staff, and the various (Note: At the top of each map you’ll see maps now on this site. Read the short we will truly be burning the last bridge part of the Truckee River Flood Project. Nevada maps archives, for bring- directional arrows you can click on to introduction and now let’s select the When visitors interested in history or to our past.” move up, down, right or left on the map, plat map for this tour. (To view a plat ing these exciting Nevada atlases architecture come to town they want Many of you have no doubt followed and you’ll also see a magnifying glass so map you need to know the range and and maps to the general public. to know where to go to have a genuine The Bridge’s Fate the progress of the Truckee River you can zoom in (+) on a spot or zoom township numbers designated for that historical experience. When in Reno, Flood Project. The main goal is out (-) for a larger view.) Find Section area, but for this tour I’ll provide the Kim Henrick is a member of most will head toward history central, The long-term condition of the Virginia FootPrints Editorial Staff. 12, near the center of the map, and you correct numbers to view the plat map the place where Reno started as Fuller’s Street Bridge is a major concern, but Continued on page 4

10 3 Virginia Street Bridge (continued)

Continued from page 1 A beautiful brick Riverside Hotel would pleasing outline and appropriate use of soon follow southwest of the bridge ornament.” Beautiful bridges “are a sure Reno’s civic center emerged south of in 1906. In conjunction with the new indication of a progressive community.” the bridge, when in 1871 the Nevada Virginia Street Bridge, the picture of This is reflected in the design of the legislature transferred the county seat progress was complete. Virginia Street Bridge with Leonard’s use from Washoe City to Reno. A new of graceful arches and scribed concrete courthouse was completed on land Beautiful Bridges, “A Sure Indication to look like masonry. The Beaux-Arts donated by Lake. It was turned over to of a Progressive Community” style lights and railing complimented Washoe County in 1873. Reno’s new urban awareness. Proponents of the new civic Lake’s rickety wooden bridge was improvement movement succeeded Construction began in July of 1905. A replaced by the county in 1877 with in having a bill passed in the 1905 temporary wooden bridge was erected a modern trestle-like iron bowstring Legislative session in support of building for traffic over the Truckee. Some of arch truss bridge, which was said to be a new Virginia Street Bridge. The the old heavy timbers from an earlier painted bright red. The bridge became Washoe County bridge commissioners bridge were found just below the a centerpiece of civic pride and was a chose John Leonard, a civil engineer streambed during the excavation stage favorite place to take a stroll. The bridge from San Francisco, to design the steel of construction. According to a 1945 continued to serve Reno Evening Gazette the community when article, laborers it was moved east to also found on the Rock Street, following river bed an old the construction of key-winding gold the present bridge. watch that “brought Ironically, the iron speculation amongst bridge washed away in the bystanders about the 1950 flood. the origin of the Membership Report November 24, 2006—March 1, 2007 timepiece.” Some Renewals: Ralph & Barbara Courtnay Winnie Herbert Ruth Olguin Richard & Maureen Wilde According to the thought it might have George & Mary Aker Elizabeth Creveling Larry Jacox Pat Quinlan Kay Wilkinson U.S. census, Reno’s been loot thrown over Phillis & Bruce Bassett Len Crocker Don Junell Ronald & Sharon Rachow Sharon & Ron Wilson population more than by a robber being Karl Breckenridge Daryl Drake Arlene Kramer Tom & Paula Ringkob doubled from 4,500 taken to jail several Anna Bridgman Merrily Duncan Marian LaVoy John & Mary Ryczkowski New Members: in 1900 to 10,867 in years before. Janet Brown Dave & Kathy Ebner Bill & Judy Lindquist James D Santini James & Susan Bellegante Evelyn Bourns 1910. Reno benefited Trudy & Peter Brussard Marie Edwards Larry & Cheryl Martin Russ Schooley economically from The contractor Mary Caspary Treat & Patty Cafferata Gordon & Carolyn Foote Joyce McCarty Carolynn Shamberger Ditton Family the mining boom in maintained a tight Darrel & Jackie Cain Don & Kay Fowler Sue McDowell Jan Shanks Tonopah and Goldfield Kara L Geiger The waters of the Truckee are at flood stage in 1907. Before the newly built U.S. Post Office schedule with only a Andra Carter Joan & Bob Gardner M. Hope Meek James & Jenni Sue by being the wholesale Dona Jeppson opened for business in April 1909, livery stables, a tombstone factory, a blacksmith’s shop, couple of exceptions. Tom & Phyllis Cates Italo & Gloria Gavazzi Joni & Monte Meridith Zona & Bob Therkelsen Theodore Oleson transportation law offices and a soap works occupied the (Mapes) lot at different times. To the right, City In August, a section Mary Chadwell Dori Goldman Rosemarie Miller Shirie Wallace Marcia Peck shipping hub for Hall looks like it might be freshly built and maybe not yet finished. of the south-end Delores & Press Clewe Lois Graves Dave & Sunny Minedew Diane Smith & Edward William C Thornton supplies to southern Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. abutment from the Ty Cobb Hancock & Hancock, Inc Nancy Oakley Waselewski Christine Wells Nevada. A more old iron bridge caved permanent, influential population of reinforced concrete bridge and the in, damming the water in a construction bankers, cattlemen’s families and mine Oakland, California firm of Cotton ditch. Terrified workmen jumped to avoid Virginia Street at the owners took up residence in Reno’s new Brothers and Company to build it. being caught. Luckily no one was injured. bridge, about 1907. housing additions. From the left, The reinforced concrete bridge building The concrete work was completed ahead the old Riverside, the By the 1900s, Reno was moving away method was still in its infancy when of the November 12th contract deadline, bridge, the Masonic from its pioneer roots and into the Leonard was awarded this project. but there was a delay in delivery of Building, the Mapes modern world. The city was taking on a Although this would be his first the railings and electric light fixtures. Building with more metropolitan feel. Automobilists reinforced concrete project, he would go Nevertheless, according to the November Gray Reid Wright took to the dusty streets in their new on to become California’s preeminent 15, 1905 Reno Evening Gazette, the Department Store on steam or electric “devil wagons,” as designer of this type of bridge. bridge commissioners threw open first floor. Post Office one local newspaper called them. The the bridge for public use. The entire not yet built. new Carnegie Library popped up on Leonard was a firm believer in the day, “long wagons, automobiles and Courtesy of the the southern bank of the Truckee, on esthetics of concrete bridges and noted pedestrians passed over it,” although Neal Cobb Collection. the east side of Virginia Street. Kitty- in the 1913 publication, The Concrete “earth covering the bridge is yet soft cornered from that, to the northwest of Bridge, “conformity with environment … and bicyclists are unable to ride over it.” the bridge, was the Masonic building. “The new structure pleases everyone 2 11 NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID RENO NV PERMIT NO. 20 P.O. Box 14003 FootPrints Reno, NV 89507 Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Historic Resources in the Truckee Meadows through Education, Advocacy, and Leadership.

vol. 10 no. 2 Spring 2007

Virginia Street Bridge, The Bridge of Sighs by Cindy Ainsworth

Author’s Note: In September 1997, Pat Ferraro Klos and William Fuller, hoped he had found “his silver” in the guise Charlotte Jones McConnell were assigned the task of selecting the of a primitive road, waystation and bridge. Coming to the new HRPS organization’s logo. They chose Loren Jahn’s rendering Truckee Meadows from Honey Lake, California, in 1859, he Bulk Rate Mail of the Virginia Street Bridge. As HRPS’ first president, Pat felt that claimed land along the Truckee upstream from the established FootPrints is mailed using a Bulk Rate this “historic symbol beautifully emigrant river crossings and Mail permit. If your address changes, please links both sides of our city, waystations near Glendale. Fuller send a note to HRPS, PO Box 14003, Reno culturally and emotionally.” cleared a road approximately NV 89507, with your address change. from Panther Valley south to Note that Bulk Rate mail is not forwarded. Ten years have passed since Huffaker, a route similar to the HRPS adopted the bridge as its present Virginia Street. symbol. In celebration, we at FootPrints felt it was time to By 1860, he had built a hotel not only share the stories and and crude bridge and founded myths surrounding the Virginia Fuller’s Crossing. According to SPRING PROGRAMS, 2007 HRPS Officers Street Bridge but to update our one description, the low bridge President: Joan Dyer 329-8744 readers on its current status. An was hardly substantial and had Jack Hursh Jr. – Program Chair: 746-3252 Vice President: Phyllis Cates important decision to refurbish to be “fastened down during Secretary: Joan Collins or replace the bridge as part of the high water.” All program events are on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7 pm, at Mt. Rose School Treasurer: Bill Walbridge Truckee River Flood Management (Lander Street between Taylor and LaRue, just off Arlington), unless otherwise noted. Board of Directors project will come this year. It is a Felvia Belaustegui, Gordon Foote, complex and difficult issue and I But it would be shrewd Fritz Grupe, Debbie Hinman, Jack Hursh Jr., businessman Myron Lake who Wednesday, April 25: Jim Smith, Marilyn Fuetsch Turville, hope you will find this article to 917 American LaFrance fire truck, first motorized hook and ladder truck for the City of Reno. Carrie Young be informative. would turn Fuller’s investments Jon Wagner, president of the Reno Fire Antique and Classic Apparatus will make a presentation into silver and in the process help Program establish what would become on the history of this vehicle’s use with the City of Reno. He’ll discuss finding the vehicle still in Jack Hursh Jr. 746-3252 uilt in 1905, the Virginia existence in Portola Valley, California, the reacquisition of the vehicle and the ongoing attempts the Reno township. Lake bought Membership Director Street Bridge has Fuller’s Crossing and the road in to restore the vehicle to be put on display for the public as an artifact of Reno’s history. withstood countless Gordon Foote 348-6455 B mid-1861. The lucrative business Virginia Street Bridge under construction in 1905. The Masonic floods and the wear and tear of of travelers from California to Wednesday, May 23: Walking Tours Building has not yet been built. The building is probably the daily traffic of every description the Comstock over Lake’s bridge Redfield coins. The Reno Coin Club will share with us the history and rarity of a collection of Ed Wishart Mapes Building, (not the hotel) which housed Gray Reid Wright from buggies to street cars and and road contributed to Lake’s coins found with the Redfield estate. Managing Editor Department Store. Courtesy of the Neal Cobb Collection. bicycles to automobiles. At the increasing wealth. Carol Coleman center of Reno’s early history, March 23 through December 14, 2007: Nevada’s oldest functioning bridge is a significant part of our Editorial Staff Lake rebuilt the flimsy bridge in 1862, after early spring rain The Nevada State Railroad Museum and The Nevada Historical Society present an exhibition in city’s heritage. Kim Henrick flooded the valley, and he secured a franchise with the Nevada the Nevada Historical Society’s Changing Gallery: The Central Pacific Railroad and the Comstock. Debbie Hinman 322-9400 Linda Sievers Territorial legislature for the toll road and bridge. Although From Fuller to Lake’s Crossing Editorial Board limited to ten years, the funds from this franchise along and The Bridges In Between with the Lake House Inn and a grist mill north of the bridge, Mella Harmon Opinions expressed in FootPrints are those of the contributors and do not necessarily re- enabled him to buy the property that he would in turn sell to John Marschall The trickle-down opportunity from the discovery of the flect those of the editorial staff, the Historic Reno Preservation Society executive board or Charles Crocker and the Central Pacific Railroad in 1868 for a Editor Emeritus & FootPrints Founder rich Comstock Lode helped establish a little outpost along the general membership. FootPrints is a quarterly publication printed in Reno, Nevada. All train depot and Reno town site. rights reserved. © 2007 Historic Reno Preservation Society (HRPS). Sharon A. Walbridge a ford of the Truckee River and with it came the building of our first bridge. A former teamster and storekeeper, Charles Continued on page 2 Graphic Design: HRPS Web Site: http://historicreno.org/ Double Click Design, 324-5569 1