July 2010 Walking Tours! See Pages 6-7 FootPrints Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Historic Resources in the Truckee Meadows through Education, Advocacy, and Leadership.

vol. 13 no. 3 Summer 2010

The 2010 Historic Resources Commission Awards by Cindy Ainsworth and Debbie Hinman

istoric by archways and paired columns at each corner. The architect preservation is skillfully manipulated design motifs to achieve interesting and Halive and well varied composition. in Reno, and those who have demonstrated a Because the house is listed in the National Register of Historic commitment to it were Places, Nevada HOPES has been eligible to receive state and honored on Wednesday, federal grants for repairs and rehabilitation. Organization lead- May 12, by the Historic ers have done a beautiful job of preserving the integrity and Resources Commission originality of this unique home which serves the community (HRC). The Commission by providing outpatient medical care, pharmacy services, presented its annual social and supportive services for HIV-positive individuals in awards at City Hall for Northern Nevada. Distinguished Service, Lifetime Achievement; The Residential Award is presented each year to an owner who Historic Landmark; has exemplified the spirit of historic preservation in lovingly Residential Award; and restoring a single-family home or multi-family residential dwell- the Advocate Award to ing. This year’s award was presented to Mercedes de la Garza deserving local residents. Alice Baldrica, winner of the HRC and Scott Gibson, owners of 575 Ridge Street. The beauti- Distinguished Service, Lifetime ful Period Revival home was designed by prominent architect The Distinguished Service, Achievement Award, with State Historic Frederic DeLongchamps and built in 1929 for local businessman Lifetime Achievement Preservation Officer Ron James. Edward Chism. The brick home is a lovely, two-story English Award went to recently- Tudor in the historic Newlands Neighborhood. The couple has retired Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Planner and owned the home for several years, painstakingly restoring it to Archaeologist Alice Baldrica. Said HRC Chair Cindy Ainsworth, its original glory. They have refinished the pine floors, restored “Alice has done more for historic preservation in Nevada than the upstairs bathroom, and replaced lighting fixtures with peri- any other single person.” For more than 30 years, Alice has od-appropriate ones. Scott and Mercedes are particularly proud played a role in historic preservation planning statewide. She has of uncovering a beautiful English been the coordinator for former Historic Preservation Week each Arts and Crafts fireplace, buried spring, now celebrated the entire month of May. under layers of plaster and paint.

Receiving the Historic Landmark Award was William The Advocate award goes to an Fuellenbach, Executive Director of Northern Nevada HOPES. individual or group that has The organization’s offices occupy the Humphrey House at through education, deeds, or 467 Ralston Street. A true Reno landmark, the property was specific historic restoration(s) designed by notable local architect Fred Schadler and built in increased public awareness of 1906 in the Mission Revival style for Frank Ellis Humphrey and historic preservation in the his wife Clara Bender Humphrey. The style was an unusual one community. This year’s winner for Reno at that time, although several years later, four Mission could not be more deserving. Ed Revival elementary schools were built; one of the schools, Mary Bath, owner of the Garden Shop S. Doten, was just a block away from the Humphrey residence. Ed Bath, owner of the Nursery, purchased the historic The home is a two-story stucco-clad building with a gabled roof Garden Shop Nursery, Crissie Caughlin Ranch home and scrolled parapets projecting above the roof height on all received the HRC in 2008 and began the arduous four elevations of the structure. The stunning porch is flanked Advocate Award. Continued on page 2 1 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 The 2010 HRC Awards (continued)

Continued from page 1 recently ended: Felvia Belaustegui, Red McKinley Arts & Culture Center, following process of getting it entered into the Kittell, Neal Cobb and Sally Ramm. Their the ceremony. City of Reno’s Historic Register and passion for Reno’s history and service to obtaining the necessary permits to the city have earned them the respect of Attendees were able to peruse the conduct his nursery business on the all who value preservation. Powning neighborhood history on site. Ed and his wife Jennifer have set entering McKinley, by viewing a display a fine example by combining a modern Recipients were further honored as the created by UNR history student Drew business with a historic site that serves guests of HRPS at a luncheon at the Gerthoffer. Voila Catering provided a and benefits the community. The light spring luncheon and the award Italianate ranch house has a very long winners were again congratulated by and colorful history. Like many other HRC Chair and HRPS Administrator Virginia City homes of that era, it was Cindy Ainsworth. taken apart and moved from the dying town to Reno by William Caughlin. We are very fortunate to have so many William had married Crissie Andrews local people who care about Reno’s in 1892 and the home was placed on history and dedicate themselves to the land she inherited from her family. restoring and preserving it. Reno is richer The Baths graciously open the home for for their efforts. tours and fund-raising events. Cindy Ainsworth is Chair of Histor- In addition to these winners, Cindy ic Resources Commission and HRPS Ainsworth presented awards to Donald William Fuellenbach, Executive Director of Administrator. Debbie Hinman is a Naquin, in appreciation of his ten years Northern Nevada HOPES, received the HRC HRPS Tour Guide and a member of of service as HRC’s city staff liaison, and Landmark Award for thoughtful restoration FootPrints Editorial Staff. HRC Board members whose terms have of the Humphrey House.

From Your HRPS President, Felvia Belaustegui

s my third nine schools and approximately 600 stu- cets for people as well as troughs for and final dents with the program. We begin with dogs and horses. The bus continues on Ayear as a Nevada history slide show produced to McKinley Arts and Cultural Center president of HRPS and narrated by Jerry Fenwick. and the California building on Idlewild concludes, I have Drive. I am personally very impressed been fortunate to The next day the bus tour takes the stu- with the enthusiasm of the students have exceptional dents to some of the sites seen in the for both the historical significance of support from our video. Many thanks to Randy Amestoy, the areas they visit and their interest outstanding board, on the Administrative team for the in Reno’s history. The teachers and the tour guides, the Washoe County Clerk’s Office in the parents are supportive and impressed Felvia Besaustegui, editorial staff of historic courthouse, who provides a with our efforts and they all express a HRPS President FootPrints and all remarkable educational and entertaining desire that the program continue. the other members tour and history of both Washoe County who contribute to our organization. Our and the Washoe County Court system. Lastly, I want to stress the importance monthly programs benefit the commu- of our mission, “Preserving Historic nity by providing well-researched and Mary Ellen Horan, director of Very Resources of the Truckee Meadows entertaining topics. The HRPS website is Special Arts, opens the Lake Mansion through Education, Advocacy and another way we reach out to members where the students eat lunch and Leadership.” In this time of economic and the public. get a tour of the house. The Amtrack stress in both local and state agencies, Station is the next stop with a brief HRPS continues to promote historic One of HRPS outstanding endeavors has history of the development of the been the fourth grade history program. areas and education about historic railroad and a visit to the restored preservation. Thanks to the participation of Barbara Women’s Christian Temperance Union Courtnay, Jerry Fenwick, Phyllis Cates fountain in the station. The students — Sincerely, Felvia Belaustegui and Terry Cynar, by the end of the 2009- are delighted with the fountain and 2010 school year, we will have provided fascinated that it provided water fau- 2

FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 A Short History of the Lincoln Highway by The Lincoln Highway Association n 1912, there were almost no Fisher knew that success of the ten- give up. Two men from the automobile good roads to speak of in the million dollar fund would depend industry who pledged money to IUnited States. The relatively few on the support of Henry Ford. Fisher’s idea would later play major miles of improved roads were only Unfortunately, even after many roles in the highway’s development: around towns and cities. A road was persuasive attempts by friends and Frank Seiberling, president of Goodyear, “improved” if it was graded; one was close associates, Ford would not and Henry Joy, president of the Packard lucky to have gravel or brick. Asphalt support the project. Ford reasoned Motor Car Company. and concrete were yet to come. Most the public would never learn to fund of the 2.5 million miles of roads were good roads if private industry did it for Henry Joy came up with the idea of just dirt: bumpy and dusty in dry them. This put the fund in jeopardy; naming the highway after Abraham weather, impassable in wet weather. there would not be enough time or Lincoln. He wrote Fisher urging Worse yet, the roads didn’t really lead money to finish the highway by the him to write a letter of protest to anywhere. They spread out aimlessly exposition in 1915. However, now that Congress, which was considering from the center of the settlement. To the country had become so enthusiastic spending $1.7 million on a marble get from one settlement to another, it about the highway, Fisher could not memorial to Lincoln. Joy thought a was much easier to take the train. good road across the country would be a better tribute to the president. Carl Fisher recognized this situation, The name Lincoln captured Fisher’s and an idea started to take hold. fancy; he realized it would give the Fisher was a man of ideas. As soon highway great patriotic appeal. Fisher as he thought of a project and got it asked Joy if he wanted to be directly started, he would grow restless and involved with the highway project. At start on another one. His Indianapolis first, Joy was hesitant, but soon he Motor Speedway was a success, wholeheartedly supported the project especially after he paved it with brick and became the primary spokesman and started the Indianapolis 500, and for the highway. he would later turn a swamp into one of the greatest beach resorts—Miami On July 1, 1913, the association Beach, Florida. However, in 1912, he Carl Fisher (1874 - 1939) decided to call the coast-to-coast dreamed of another grand idea: a An American entrepreneur in the highway the Lincoln Highway, and highway spanning the continent, from automotive, auto racing and real estate it was officially incorporated as the coast to coast. development Industries Lincoln Highway Association. Henry Joy was elected as president. Carl He called his idea the Coast-to-Coast Fisher, who was elected vice-president, Rock Highway. The graveled road was not present. He had departed with would cost about ten million dollars, a the Indiana Automobile Manufacturers low cost—even for 1912. He proposed Association on a trip to the West that communities along the route Coast. The “Hoosier Tour” was would provide the equipment and in intended, in part, to explore possible return would receive free materials routes for the Lincoln Highway. and a place along America’s first transcontinental highway. The highway Fisher kept the route of the Lincoln would be finished in time for the 1915 Highway a secret as long as he could Panama-Pacific Exposition and would because he wanted the nation as a run from the exposition’s host, San whole to support the highway, not Francisco, to New York City. just the states through which it would pass, and he didn’t know what the To fund this scheme, Fisher asked route was as no decision had been for cash donations from auto made. After the Hoosier Tour, the manufacturers and accessory Henry Bourne Joy (1864 - 1936) association decided they needed to companies of one percent of their President of the Packard Motor Car settle on a route. revenues. The public could become Company, and a major developer members of the highway organization of automotive activities as well as for five dollars. being a social activist. Continued on page 4 3

FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 A Short History of the Lincoln Highway (continued)

Ford’s refusal to chip in and In most states in which it ran, the the growing disinterest of Lincoln Highway was the obvious people left off the route, choice as a federal road, but there were the ten-million-dollar fund a few exceptions—the biggest challenge that Fisher had set up had was in Utah. stalled at the halfway point. Joy decided to abandon the The Wendover route was still fund and instead redirect favored by Utah, and now it was the association to a new part of another named highway, the goal: educating the country Victory Highway. Like the Lincoln, for the need of good roads its endpoints were New York and made of concrete, with an San Francisco, but it claimed the improved Lincoln Highway as Wendover road and the route along The chosen route for the Lincoln Highway, a direct an example. It would oversee the Humboldt River in Nevada, which route from New York City to San Francisco, bypassed the construction of concrete pitted it directly against the Lincoln. many scenic attractions and larger cities, and “seedling miles” way out in It was virtually unknown in the east avoided narrow winding roadways and congestion. the countryside to emphasize but was favored in Utah, Nevada, and the superiority of concrete northern California. Like their fellow Continued from page 3 over unimproved dirt. As people would Utah citizens, northern Californians learn about concrete, they would press favored the Victory for economic As far as Joy was concerned, a direct the government to construct good route was the most important factor. roads throughout their state. By bypassing many scenic attractions and larger cities along the way, narrow In the deserts of Utah, west of Salt winding roadways and congestion Lake city, a new route called the could be avoided. Goodyear Cutoff was surveyed and prepared for construction. However, After weeks of deliberation, Henry Joy Utah did not want this part of the presented the route before the annual Lincoln Highway finished. Utah wanted Conference of Governors in Colorado to improve the Arrowhead Route to Springs. The highway started in Times Los Angeles so that travelers and their Square in New York City. It passed money would be kept in the state for through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, hundreds of more miles. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah wanted the Lincoln Highway to Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and The Utah state government promoted follow the Arrowhead Route to Los Angeles, thereby keeping travelers and California, ending in Lincoln Park a route directly west of Salt Lake City in San Francisco. The route did not their money in the state for hundreds of to Wendover, Nevada as the route more miles. deviate from a straight path in order to San Francisco. This route crossed to go through larger cities or national miles of salt desert, which was often parks. It did not touch Kansas or submerged under water. To improve Colorado. Joy’s influence was clear. the Wendover road would take much more money than improving the The Lincoln Highway Association Lincoln Highway. set up a system of “consuls” along the highway who acted as local In 1921, the federal government passed ambassadors. They represented the the Federal Highway Act of 1921. Like a highway in local affairs, assisted similar act passed in 1916, it provided visitors, and let the headquarters know $75 million of matching funds to of matters concerning the highway. the states for highway construction. However, unlike the 1916 act, the 1921 However, in 1914, there wasn’t much act required the states to identify Following the Federal Highway Act of of a highway to be concerned about. seven percent of its total mileage as 1921, the Victory Highway along the No improvements had been made “primary,” and only those roads would Humboldt River in Nevada was declared to the Lincoln Highway, and with be eligible for federal funds. the federal road in Nevada. 4

FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 A Short History of the Lincoln Highway (continued)

reasons: travelers along the Victory between Maine and Florida to U.S. 101 While the other named highways would almost certainly go to San between Washington and California. were quickly forgotten, the Lincoln Francisco. If travelers took the Lincoln The Lincoln Highway was broken up Highway was not. A whole generation through western Utah, they could into U.S. 1, U.S. 30 (including U.S. of Americans, exposed to the well- easily drive southwest towards Los 30N and U.S. 30S), U.S. 530, U.S. 40, organized publicity of the Lincoln Angeles, as it was about as far away as and U.S. 50. Nearly two-thirds of the Highway Association, kept the Lincoln San Francisco. Lincoln’s length was designated U.S. Highway alive long after its official significance was gone. It was the Despite numerous reports and heavy backdrop for an NBC radio show lobbying by the Lincoln Highway on Saturday mornings. Airing for Association, the federal government two seasons in the 1940s, it had an selected the Wendover route as audience of 8 million listeners. the federal road. Consequently, the Victory was also declared the federal By the late 1940s, the Lincoln Highway road in Nevada. The Goodyear started to fade away. A new generation Cutoff, which was never finished by of Americans was born, one which Utah’s government, would remain had grown up with paved roads and unimproved. a numbered highway system. Most Baby Boomers, and even more of In the ten years between 1915 and By 1928, numbered highways were to their children, have never heard of the 1925, the United States went from replace all named highways. To travel the Lincoln Highway. having one named highway to having Lincoln Highway from east to west, one an unorganized and confusing system took U.S. 1 from N.Y.C. to Atlantic City, However, not everyone has forgotten. of named highways. They were NJ, U.S. 30 west to Granger Junction, The Lincoln Highway Association primarily marked by painted colored WY, U.S. 530 to Great Salt Lake City was reactivated in 1992, dedicated bands on telephone poles. Sometimes, Utah, U.S. 40 across the top of Utah, to preserving the highway. With the where several named highways shared U.S. 50 across Nevada, and U.S. 40 or 50 help of the association, the Lincoln a route, almost an entire pole would around Lake Tahoe to Sacramento, then Highway will always stay alive. be striped in various colors. It was U.S. 40 again across to San Francisco. time for an organized national system Watch for an announcement about a bus tour of the Lincoln Highway of highways to be formed, a system of 30, which began in Atlantic City, through Reno and Sparks in the Fall numbered highways. New Jersey and ended in Astoria, 2010 issue of FootPrints. Oregon. The AASHO also adopted The Lincoln Highway Association was a standard set of road signs and all for a numbered highway system, as markers, and to avoid confusion, all long as one number corresponded to markers of all named roads would the Lincoln Highway and the names have to be taken down. stayed with the roads. It didn’t want to see its highway chopped up into little Interest in the Lincoln Highway numbered bits. In March 1925, the dropped considerably. The association American Association of State Highway ceased activity at the end of 1927. Officials (AASHO) started planning Its last major activity was to mark a federal highway system. All named the highway not as a route from roads were ignored in their planning. one destination to another, but as a That November, the secretary of memorial to Abraham Lincoln. On agriculture approved AASHO’s plan, September 1, 1928, thousands of Boy which set up the now-familiar U.S. Scouts fanned out along the highway. To remember the Lincoln Highway, in highway system. At an average of about one per mile, 1928, the Lincoln Highway Association they installed small concrete markers created small concrete markers with a Major east-west routes would be with a small bust of Lincoln and the small bust of Abraham Lincoln (above) numbered in multiples of ten, from inscription: “This highway dedicated on the top and a bold “L” below, which U.S. 10 across the north to U.S. 90 to Abraham Lincoln.” were to be placed a mile apart on across the south. Major north-south the route of the Lincoln Highway by routes would end in 1 or 5, from U.S. 1 thousands of Boy Scouts. 5 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 HRPS and Artown July 2010 Historic Walking Tours

Tour cost is $10 per person, free to HRPS members. Walks generally last from 1½ to 2 hours. No dogs please. Reservations are required and space is limited. Please visit www. historicreno.org or call 747-4478 for information and reservations. Cut-off date for reservations is the day before the tour.

MANSIONS ON THE BLUFF - A historic walk that looks at some of the most notable homes in Saturday, Reno: Court, Ridge and upper California streets, home to three senators and the merchants July 3, that made early Reno The Biggest Little City. Meet at the McCarran House, 401 Court Street. 9:00 a.m. Tour guides: Ed Wishart, Bill Isaeff and Joan Collins.

Sunday, BIKE TOUR THROUGH OLD RENO - A leisurely ride through the most historic parts of Reno. July 4, Meet at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue. HELMETS REQUIRED, NO EXCEPTIONS! 9:00 a.m. Tour guide: Glee Willis.

PROHIBITION IN RENO - We’ve turned back the clock to the 1920s and 30s. We’ll walk streets and alleys and visit significant buildings, recalling Reno’s saloons and reformers (the WCTU and Tuesday, Anti-Saloon League). We’ll even visit an alleged speakeasy. Then join us for an optional post- July 6, tour Repeal of Prohibition celebration at the Amendment 21 Grill, 425 S. Virginia St. Tour starts 6:00 p.m. at Amtrak’s Reno Station, 135 East Commercial Row. Tour guides: Debbie Hinman and Sharon Honig-Bear. PARSONS/MILLS ARCHITECTURE - Stroll one of Reno’s most unique neighborhoods to view Saturday, some designs of Reno architects Edward Parsons and Russell Mills, who sometimes collaborated July 10, on designs. Hear about the families who first lived in these homes. Meet at the corner of Marsh 9:00 a.m. Avenue and LaRue. Tour guides: Anne Simone and Elsie Newman. MANSIONS ON THE BLUFF - A historic walk that looks at some of the most notable homes in Tuesday, Reno: Court, Ridge and upper California streets, home to three senators and the merchants that July 13, made early Reno The Biggest Little City. Meet at the McCarran House, 401 Court Street. Tour 6:00 p.m. guide: Ed Wishart.

ROADS AND RAILS, HISTORIC FOURTH STREET CORRIDOR - Discover the historic origins of Saturday, the Lincoln Highway and the Nevada, California and Oregon Railroad, stopping to appreciate the July 17, Barengo/NCO building, Flanigan warehouse, and other vestiges of the corridor’s heyday. Meet at 9:00 a.m. Louis Basque Corner, 301 E. 4th Street. Tour guide: Cindy Ainsworth.

July 1 is Time to Renew Your HRPS Membership

ow, how the days fly by! Once again it is time to printed with a renewal form in this issue of FootPrints for renew your Historic Reno Preservation Society your mailing convenience. Wmembership for 2010-2011. As most of you know your HRPS membership due date changed from “the month If you haven’t already had a chance to look at the July Walking you joined” to all memberships due July 1. This change was Tours line-up, you’ll be glad to see that there are some great made to lessen confusion over expiration dates and July was new tours this year as well as HRPS’s fascinating evening programs starting again in September! And, with your chosen over January because we found that most renewals membership you receive a copy of FootPrints four times a year. and new memberships coincide with the start of HRPS July All of these are free to you with your HRPS membership. walking tours. I hope this change has made the renewal process easier for all. There is also a change to HRPS’s Fall Social this year that you won’t want to miss out on! Be sure to send in your You can grab a membership renewal form from HRPS website membership this month. at http://historicreno.org and there is always a membership renewal form in FootPrints. We have included an envelope — Carrie Young, Membership Director.

6 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 HRPS and Artown July 2010 Historic Walking Tours (continued)

Tuesday, UNIVERSITY HISTORIC DISTRICT (CAMPUS) - Visit Morrill Hall, Mackay School of Mines and July 20, the Keck Museum to learn the history of this beautiful campus. Meet at Honor Court, 9th 6:00 p.m. and Center Street. Tour Guide: Jack Hursh.

Saturday, BRICKS AND STONES - A walk in the Humboldt and Lander streets neighborhood. Discover the July 24, architectural treasure trove of this area, a mix of bungalows, Tudor, mission revival and cottage 9:00 a.m. styles. Meet at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue. Tour guide: Bill Isaeff.

NEW TOUR - KID’S ARCHITECTURAL TOUR - This tour introduces children in first through third grades to architecture and the art of observation by challenging them to discover the historic Saturday, detailing prevalent in Reno’s downtown architecture. The goal is to create a new generation of July 24, informed citizens of the man-made environment and in turn, fans of historic Reno. Meet at 448 10:00 a.m. Ridge Street. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tour cost is $10 per person, $5 for children, free to HRPS members and their children.

Sunday, BIKE TOUR THROUGH OLD RENO - A leisurely ride through the most historic parts of Reno. July 25, Meet at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue. HELMETS REQUIRED, NO EXCEPTIONS! 9:00 a.m. Tour guide: Glee Willis.

UPPER RALSTON/NORTHERN LITTLE ITALY - Enjoy a walk in a residential neighborhood with Tuesday, a mix of architectural styles. Proximity to the University has traditionally determined the mix July 27, of residents, professors and students alike. Meet at the intersection of Washington Street, The 6:00 p.m. Strand, and College Avenue. Tour Guides: Jim and Sue Smith.

Saturday, NEWLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD - Enjoy an architectural walk through one of Reno’s oldest and July 31, most prestigious neighborhoods. Meet at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue. Tour guide: 9:00 a.m. Scott Gibson.

7 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 The Gray, Reid, Wright Company: A Nevada Institution by Debbie Hinman

he story of the Gray, Reid, to the Midwest Wright Company is not only and earned a Tthe story of a local institution; dentistry degree it is the story of three men whose at Northwestern entrepreneurial spirit created a business University. He vision that lasted more than eight returned to decades. Their store served several California, prac- generations of northern Nevada ticing in San residents and is to this day unequaled Francisco and in the variety of wares it offered in Sacramento its heyday and its relationship to the before heading for community. Although it has been 24 Nevada. Traveling by horseback, years since the store closed its doors for Thoma-Bigelow Building, built in 1903, housing Gray, Reid Wright he practiced in the last time, the name Gray Reid’s, as on the first floor and basement. Construction of the 1905 Virginia such towns as it was known in its final incarnation, Street Bridge is in the foreground. Photo courtesy of Neal Cobb. invokes nostalgic memories for all who Wadsworth, visited the store. Lovelock, Winnemucca, Austin and Carlin. In July The new store, christened Gray, Reid Joseph H. Gray, II of 1901, Reid gave up dentistry, moved to & Company, was located in the Queen Reno and went into business with Joseph Building, at 237 N. Virginia Street. It Co-founder of the store, Joseph Gray Gray, incorporating as Gray, Reid & Co. opened on Tuesday, September 10 and has the distinction of being the first achieved immediate notice by townspeo- white child born in the fledgling town Walter W. Wright ple. A Reno Evening Gazette writer noted of Truckee, California, in late 1868. In the following in his editorial of that The eldest of the three partners, Wright the early 1880s, the family relocated to day: “Passing down Virginia Street this was born in New Hampshire in 1855. He Sacramento. Joseph worked for Hale morning my eye was attracted by the found his way westward, spending his Brothers, a dry goods firm there and tasteful window dressing of Gray, Reid entire work life in the dry goods indus- married a California girl named Johanna & Co.” The reporter continues to rhapso- try. Wright understood the business in 1898. The couple moved to Reno dize over bows and ties, ladies’ corsets, from wholesale to retail. Prior to moving all manner of dress goods, table linens, around the turn of the century. to Reno in 1903, he was manager of Hale blankets and ends with the entreaty, “If Hosea E. Reid Brothers & Company in Sacramento for seventeen years. you don’t believe it, go and see for your- Born in Ohio in 1863, Reid was raised on self.” And local residents must have done a farm and went to work at a mercantile The Store just that because by 1902, the owners found it necessary to enlarge the store. store at the age of 18. In 1884, he came The Reno of 1901 was a bustling, thriv- west to California and clerked in vari- ing small town of approximately 4,500 A news article from early January of ous cities around the state. He returned residents. The 1903, announced the addition of a time was ripe for third partner, a Mr. Walter Wright of entrepreneurs Sacramento. to find ways to meet the demands The second milestone for the store in of this growing 1903 was its move to a beautiful new population. Two building on October 17. In February of such entrepre- that year, it was announced that Judge neurs, Joseph Gray Bigelow and Dr. Thoma had accepted and Hosea Reid, a bid by C. E. Clough to erect a beauti- had recently made ful, three-story brick and stone building Reno their new on the northwest corner of First and home and togeth- Virginia streets. The Grand Opening er purchased a was a gala event for Reno. Five thousand small dry goods people attended and were taken on store store owned by a tours by employees. A six-piece orches- North Virginia Street about 1910. On the left, the Masonic Temple and Mr. Emrich, who tra serenaded guests in the afternoon Gray, Reid, Wright. The 1907 Federal Building and Post Office on the had been in dry and evening, and each adult was given a right. Note the trolley tracks down the street. goods in town souvenir glass bearing the design of the Photo courtesy of Jerry Fenwick. since the 1880s. Thoma-Bigelow Building. 8 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 The Gray, Reid, Wright Company (continued)

The year 1903 was a banner one for The store’s last partner, Dr. Hosea Reid, Store manager Harry Golding signed an impressive brick structures in Reno. In died in September of 1933, following a agreement with Norman Biltz and the addition to the Thoma-Bigelow build- lengthy illness. Ownership of the store department store relocated once again, ing, also under construction were the passed to his estate, administered by this time occupying the entire build- Riverside Hotel and the beautiful, Fred his wife, Louise. Mrs. Louise Reid, Harry ing adjacent to the Elks Home. The new Schadler-designed Elks Home on West Golding and Sam Mozingo would be the store opened on July 11th with a preview First Street. firm’s directors for the next ten years. celebration and for business on Tuesday morning, July 12. The basement housed Gray, Reid, Wright Co.(GRW) continued The previously-mentioned Elks Home the toy and household departments, to thrive, expanding into the state capi- on West First Street sat back from the the main floor the men’s, cosmetics, tal. In 1905, the partners purchased the street on the banks of the Truckee River. dry goods and hosiery departments and S. B. Cohen store at 502 N. Carson Street, A beautiful park area graced the front the second floor featured ladies’ ready- adjacent to the Arlington Hotel. By 1912, of the building. Visitors to the Home to-wear, infants, shoes, millinery and the company announced that they had walked up a winding path edged by the beauty parlor. The store retained its purchased a lot on Maine Street in Fallon towering trees to a lovely, tall portico cachet as Reno’s premiere department where they were planning to construct with impressive columns. In 1937, Sierra store. Employees were carefully selected a beautiful new store to serve this and tended to be loyal, making their young community. Although the employment there a career. Carson City store closed around 1918 and the building was destroyed The year 1943 brought a landmark around mid-century, the Fallon change in the store’s ownership. For building is still standing, bearing the first time, GRW passed out of a faded banner, a reminder of the the hands of the founding families building’s first occupant. The build- when it was purchased by Mrs. ing is an attraction on the Fallon Bertha Ronzone and her daughter Maine Street walking tour. and son-in-law, Amy and Al Adams. The Ronzone/Adams family were the GRW occupied the Thoma-Bigelow owners of the largest independently- location for the next 35 years, but owned department store in southern there would be major changes in Nevada, Ronzone’s. The new own- its leadership. Its newest partner, ers were retaining their Las Vegas Walter Wright, died suddenly in holdings and promised no changes 1908. Gray and Reid both remained in policy or personnel for the Reno active in the store and built impres- operation, and were quoted as say- Front view of Grey, Reid, Wright Co. in the 1900s showing sive homes on the north side of ing, “We shall do everything possible the wonderful display windows for which it was known. Court Street. In 1928, Joseph Gray to continue the same high standards Photo courtesy of Neal Cobb. sold his interest in the store. Local of merchandise, but wartime condi- businessman George Mapes pur- tions and shortages of some things chased the Thoma-Bigelow building the Construction Company, owned by may delay some of our plans.” same year and became vice president of Norman Biltz and Dr. Theodore Chase GRW. The building thereafter became purchased this park area from the Elks. The Biltz building was sold in 1940 known as the Mapes Building. They negotiated to have the portico to Stack Securities, owned by Mrs. removed from the Elks building so Elizabeth Stack and sons James and In 1929, a new manager was brought that they could construct a two-story Robert of Beverly Hills. Mrs. Stack was in from San Francisco to reorganize the modern mercantile building with a full the widow of James Langford Stack who store. The man’s name, coincidentally, basement on the purchased land with had resided at his home on the Nevada was Raymond N. Grey. In his short tenure a 90-foot frontage on West First and side of Lake Tahoe for several years pre- as store manager (Grey died unexpectedly extending 75 feet on Sierra Street. A new ceding his death. Son Robert would grow in April of 1933), he did much to involve entrance to the Elks Home was con- up to be a well-known actor. Mrs. Stack the store in the community life of Reno. structed facing Sierra Street. already owned a building on N. Virginia Gray, Reid, Wright began sponsoring Street, which was known as the Stack dances at Tony’s El Patio Ballroom and In the summer of 1938, GRW’s lease in Building. The structure housing GRW Grey initiated the annual Easter Egg Hunt the Mapes building expired and the F. W. would also come to be known as the held at Idlewild Park. Upon Grey’s death, Woolworth’s Co., which had been occu- Stack Building. Harry Golding, a store employee since pying space on the east side of North 1910, took over management of the store. Virginia Street, was slated to move in. Continued on page 10

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Continued from page 9 was Frederick Cashman, a buyer for the ity of Sierra and West First streets. That store, who collapsed and died in the morning, as Vi headed through GRW on In 1947, a young woman named Viola GRW basement, in a frantic effort to the way to her office, she was assailed “Vi” Van Dyke moved to Reno and was save merchandise. National Guard trucks by gas fumes in the connecting tunnel. hired by GRW as a window designer, rescued the trapped employees at 7:30 Reports grew throughout the morning. beginning her 19-year career with the the next morning, after a terrifying night By about noon, however, fire personnel store. Later promoted to design director, that included a Dodge sedan, carried by were beginning to evacuate those in the Vi loved her job and found the owners the floodwaters, smashing twice into the area as a precautionary measure. supportive and willing to give her free store, shattering a display window. The rein in her designs. The store had always store reported $250,000 in damages. As with later national disasters such as maintained attractive displays, the assassination of President but Vi’s artistic touch brought Kennedy and the attack on the them to a new level. She learned World Trade Center, every person from the best; one of her fondest living in Reno at that time no memories was being instructed in doubt remembers exactly where the art of silk-screening by well- they were and what they were known local artist Lyle Ball. doing at 1:03 p.m. when two mas- sive explosions occurred followed Vi related that the store leased by fires, leveling five buildings office space from nearby build- in the vicinity of West First and ings for some of its depart- Sierra streets and causing severe ments, such as for the window damage to a sixth. Miraculously, designers. In the 1950s, GRW only two people died that day, had offices in the basement of although 49 others were injured. the Elks Home directly behind it. It was later determined that a leak Vi worked in the Elks building in a gas main had occurred, and and accessed the main store via pockets of gas had built up in the a tunnel that connected the two Front page of the Reno Evening News the day following the underground ditches. The first buildings. This tunnel was not explosion. To the right of the Sierra Street bridge are the Elks explosion hit under the block of the only underground structure Home, closest to the bridge and Grey Reid in front of the Elks shops on the west side of Sierra in the area; irrigation ditches had Home. Newspaper clipping courtesy of Jan Ryan. Street; the second, beneath the run through the center of town Elks Home. in Reno’s early days. These ditches, the Just five short years later, history Sullivan-Kelly and the Riverside Mill, had repeated itself and downtown Reno The Stack Building fared better than its been filled in some areas, but merely again found itself under siege by flood- neighbors, but the Sierra Street display covered over in others, as commercial waters. Once again GRW lost merchan- windows blew, and a fire beginning buildings began to flourish in the area. dise that they were unable to move forty-five minutes later in the store They ran beneath the Elks Home and out of the basement in time, but losses caused enough damage as to render the across Sierra Street, under the block of totaled far less and this time they had structure unsafe. Vi and some of her co- shops on the southwest corner, including flood insurance. workers had gone to lunch at the Holiday Paterson’s, Sunderland’s, Tait’s, Kaylene’s Hotel around noon that day. She recalls and Nevada Shoe Repair. In July 1956, store co-founder Joseph standing on the Lake Street bridge on her Gray died at the age of 87. He had way back to the office, watching in hor- The decade of the1950s brought disaster remained active in business and with the ror as billowing gray smoke filled the air not only to GRW but to many down- Reno Lodge No. 57, B.P.O. Elks, until just to the west. town businesses. In November of 1950, a few years before his death. following a succession of warm rain- The Adamses rallied quickly. On March storms, the Truckee flooded its banks Of all the disasters to befall downtown 15, GRW reopened for business in a and water coursed down Reno streets. Reno and GRW, the most terrifying and temporary location in the J. R. Bradley Placed between the river and West First damaging occurred on the afternoon of building at Plaza and North Virginia Street, GRW was hit hard. Water filled Tuesday, February 5, 1957, and the under- streets. The site was formerly a hardware the basement and rose to a depth of four ground maze of ditches were to play store, but it served to keep the business feet on the main floor. On the evening a leading role in the catastrophe. The open and running until the store could of Monday, November 20, 28 employees morning had begun with reports of a be rebuilt. became stranded in the building while gas odor called in to Sierra Pacific Power By May the Nevada State Journal report- working late to save store merchandise. Company and the fire department from ed “rumors” that Gray Reid’s would not The only direct casualty of the flood business people working in the vicin- 10

FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 The Gray, Reid, Wright Company (continued)

be returning to its former location but problems dogged the stores during would instead be moving to a new loca- this period; and on July 1, 1969, tion on North Virginia Street, just north store landlord Nevada Marts, of Fifth Street. claiming default on the loan, closed the doors of both stores. They Opening on November 7, 1957, the new reopened within a week, but just store contained 30 percent more space seven months later, Gray Reid’s than the First Street location with 40,000 declared bankruptcy. Building feet of retail space and 6,000 feet of owner Nevada Marts again storage. There was a basement and two assumed control of the stores. For floors, accessed by escalators. The store seven more years, the longtime now featured 45 departments, including local store served the Reno area an electronics shop selling televisions and at its North Virginia location, stereo systems, a bookstore, Mirabelli’s but times were changing and Records, Hans Lugenbuehl’s wine shop, competition from the larger stores made to look as if you were entering a at Park Lane Mall claimed much of wine cask, and the Birdcage Restaurant. Gray Reid’s former business. Fire followed the explosion of 1957. There was a full-service beauty salon, Portion of Gray Reid’s sign visible in top left. and a shoe repair shop. The quality and In January of 1977, store presi- Photo courtesy of Neal Cobb. variety of merchandise would have made dent William Metzker announced Joseph Gray, Hosea Reid and Walter a grand plan for the store. They while attractive and also located south of Wright proud of their legacy. would construct two additional stories the city, never drew crowds of shoppers. on the present building and add 102 In 1961, the building owner, Nevada hotel rooms and a casino. The casino The longtime Reno institution finally Marts, purchased the store from the would be known as Camp 14 and have admitted defeat in 1986 and closed for Adamses. They announced that there a logging camp theme. The south por- good, after an 85-year history of serving would be no change in personnel other tion of the first floor would remain northern Nevada. Longtime Reno resi- than the general manager. Their tenure under the name Gray Reid’s but would dents will forever remember the store, didn’t last long, however. Just three years only sell women’s clothing. The beauty however, and the two beautiful homes, later, Nevada Marts sold the department salon would be retained and expanded one of wood and painted gray and one of store to Simons Hardware Company of in the basement of the building. Metzker rich, dark brick, standing on Court Street California. described this plan as an “economic just a few doors apart, monuments to decision.” By May, however, the plan the men who created the vision. In 1966, for the second time in its had changed. Metzker announced that history, a Gray Reid’s store was opened the Gray Reid store would be moving to in Carson City. Changes had occurred Again, my heartfelt thanks to su- the Old Town Mall in July, to occupy a per-researcher Arline Laferry at the at the Reno store, and Vi made the 2-story, 20,000 square foot space. decision to seek other employment. She Nevada Historical Society for her was hired by Joseph Magnin, Inc. to Camp 14 was never realized; William help with this story. Information head their display department. Financial Metzker and his brother John would came from numerous Nevada State receive a better offer that summer. They Journal and Reno Evening Gazette were approached by CIRCO Resorts, who articles, 1901-1906; birth and death for 10 years had operated the Circus records; city directories; a 1970 Circus Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, and Truckee River flood plan publica- who wished to utilize the structure and tion; and conversations with for- parking lot occupied by Gray Reid’s. The mer employees Vi Van dyke Peevers Metzkers joined with Circus Circus and and Jan Ryan. Special thanks go to abandoned their plans for Camp 14. Deborah Nelson, HRPS member and former GRW employee, who The much-reduced Gray Reid’s store suggested the idea for a Gray Reid’s moved as scheduled to Old Town Mall history and introduced me to Vi in July 1977, but never quite resurrected and Jan. its local customer base. The final blow was the opening of Meadowood Mall Debbie Hinman is a HRPS Tour in 1978. The new generation of shop- Guide and a member of the View of Gray Reid on the left, and the Elks FootPrints Editorial Staff. Home on the right after the blast and fire. pers preferred to go to a location with a Photo courtesy of Neal Cobb. cluster of stores and the Old Town Mall, 11

FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 FootPrints Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2010 P.O. Box 14003 Reno, NV 89507

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HRPS Officers Lectures at the Nevada Historical Society President: Felvia Belaustegui 1650 N. Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada Vice President: Phyllis Cates Secretary: Sharon Honig-Bear Treasurer: The Nevada Historical Society invites you to a free lecture series in the Reno history gallery Roger Steininger at 1:00 pm on the following Saturdays. For additional information, call 775-688-1191 or enter Board of Directors Barbara Swart Courtnay, Rosie Cevasco, Joan www.museums.nevadaculture.org and choose Historical Society, Reno. Dyer, Jerry Fenwick, Gordon Foote, Debbie Hinman, Jack Hursh Jr., Jim Smith, Carrie Young July 4, 2010 is the 100th anniversary of the “Fight of the Century,” a fight held in Reno between Program undefeated heavy-weight boxing champion James Jeffries and retired champion, Jack Johnson. Our Jack Hursh Jr. 746-3252 special guest lecturers will focus on different aspects of boxing in Nevada. Membership Director Carrie Young June 26, 2010, 1:00 pm - Johnson the Fighter - Lecture and original fight film footage. Speaker: Walking Tours Phil Earl, retired Nevada Historical Society Curator of History and co-author with wife Jean of Ed Wishart Basque Aspen Art of the Sierra Nevada. Webmaster Rosie Cevasco July 17, 2010, 1:00 pm - Jack Dempsey – and other famous fighters in Nevada. Speaker: Administrator/Publicity Guy Clifton, Reno Gazette Journal Senior Reporter, sportswriter and author of his fourth book, Cindy Ainsworth 747-0340 Dempsey in Nevada. FootPrints Managing Editor The Historical Society is featuring “Johnson-Jeffries: A Centennial Exhibition” in the Changing Carol Coleman Gallery through July 31, 2010, Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Editorial Staff Kim Henrick Debbie Hinman 322-9400 Opinions expressed in FootPrints are those of the contributors and do not necessarily Editorial Board reflect those of the editorial staff, the Historic Reno Preservation Society executive board or the general membership. FootPrints is a quarterly publication printed in Reno, Nevada. Mella Rothwell Harmon All rights reserved. ©2010 Historic Reno Preservation Society (HRPS). Editor Emeritus & FootPrints Founder Sharon A. Walbridge Graphic Design: HRPS Web Site: http://historicreno.org/ Double Click Design 324-5569