National Register of Historic Places listings in Washoe County, Nevada facts for kids
Welcome to Washoe County, Nevada! This area is home to many special places that are part of the National Register of Historic Places. This is an official list kept by the United States government. It helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
When a place is on this list, it means it's worth saving for future generations. It tells a story about the past. In Washoe County, you can find everything from old homes and schools to important landmarks and even parts of old trails. Let's explore some of these amazing historic sites!
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Historic Treasures in Washoe County
Washoe County has many buildings and sites that tell stories about its past. These places are officially recognized as important historic sites. They help us understand how people lived, worked, and built communities long ago.
Important Buildings and Homes
Many historic places in Washoe County are old buildings. These include beautiful homes, schools, and other structures that show us how architecture has changed over time.
Bowers Mansion
The Bowers Mansion is a grand old house located south of Reno. It was built in 1863 by Lemuel "Sandy" Bowers and his wife, Eilley Orrum Bowers. They became very rich from the Comstock Lode silver mines. The mansion is a great example of how wealthy people lived in Nevada during the mining boom. It's now a park where you can visit and learn about its history.
Old Schools
Washoe County has several historic schools that are still standing. These buildings remind us of how education has changed over the years.
- Galena Creek Schoolhouse: This old schoolhouse at 16000 Callahan Road in Reno was built a long time ago. It's a great example of the small, local schools that used to serve communities. It was added to the list in 2011.
- Glendale School: Located in Victorian Square in Sparks, the Glendale School was listed in 1978. It shows the style of school buildings from its time.
- McKinley Park School: Found at Riverside Drive and Keystone Avenue in Reno, this school was added to the list in 1985.
- Mount Rose Elementary School: This school at 915 Lander Street in Reno became a historic place in 1977.
- Mary Lee Nichols School: In Sparks, at 400-406 Pyramid Way, this school was recognized in 2002.
- Southside School: Located at 190 E. Liberty in Reno, this school was added to the list in 1993.
- Veterans Memorial School: This school at 1200 Locust Street in Reno was listed in 1995.
These schools are important because they represent the history of learning and growing up in Washoe County.
University of Nevada, Reno Buildings
The University of Nevada, Reno campus has several buildings that are considered historic. They are part of the University of Nevada Reno Historic District.
- Fleischmann Atmospherium Planetarium: This unique building on N. Virginia Street was listed in 1994. It's a planetarium where people can learn about stars and space.
- Mackay School of Mines Building: Also on the university campus, this building was added in 1982. It's important for its role in teaching about earth sciences and mining.
- Morrill Hall: This Italianate-style building on the university campus was listed in 1974. It's one of the oldest and most recognizable buildings at the university.
These university buildings show the history of higher education in Nevada.
Other Notable Historic Sites
Beyond homes and schools, Washoe County has other interesting historic places.
Derby Dam
The Derby Diversion Dam is about 19 miles east of Sparks. It was built to help manage water for farming and communities. This dam was listed in 1978 and is an important part of the area's engineering history. It even extends into Storey County.
Virginia Street Bridge
The Virginia Street Bridge spans the Truckee River in Reno. It was added to the list in 1980. Bridges are important for connecting communities, and this one has been a key part of Reno's growth.
Washoe County Courthouse
The Washoe County Courthouse at 117 S. Virginia Street in Reno was listed in 1986. Courthouses are important buildings where laws are made and justice is served. This building has seen many important events in the county's history.
Washoe County Libraries
Both Reno and Sparks have historic library buildings.
- Washoe County Library: The main library at 301 S. Center Street in Reno was listed in 2013.
- Washoe County Library-Sparks Branch: The Sparks branch at 814 Victorian Street was recognized in 1992.
Libraries are vital places for learning and community gathering, and these buildings have served many generations.
Places That Are No Longer Listed
Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This usually happens if the building is torn down or changed so much that it no longer has its historic look or feel.
- Bell Telephone of Nevada: This building in Reno was listed in 1986 but was removed in 2000 because it was demolished in 1994.
- Mapes Hotel and Casino: This famous hotel in Reno was listed in 1984. However, it was imploded (taken down with explosives) in 2000, so it was removed from the list that same year.
- Odd Fellows Building: Another Reno building, listed in 1978, was demolished in 1992 and removed from the list in 2000.
- Riverside Mill Company Flourmill: This flourmill in Reno was listed in 1982 but was demolished in the 1980s and removed from the list in 2000.
These former listings remind us that even historic places can change or disappear over time.
Images for kids
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The 1872 California-Nevada State Boundary Marker.
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The 20th Century Club building.
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The Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity House.
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The Bank of Sparks building.
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The W.E. Barnard House.
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The Bethel AME Church.
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The Benson Dillon Billinghurst House.
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The Borland-Clifford House.
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The Peleg Brown Ranch house.
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The Charles H. Burke House.
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The Burke-Berryman House.
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The California Building in Idlewild Park.
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The Derby Diversion Dam.
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The El Cortez Hotel.
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The Field Matron's Cottage.
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The First Church of Christ, Scientist.
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The First United Methodist Church.
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The Fleischmann Atmospherium Planetarium.
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The Francovich House.
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The Galena Creek Schoolhouse.
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The Luella Garvey House.
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The Gerlach Water Tower.
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The Joseph Giraud House.
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The Glendale School.
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The William J. Graham House.
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The Joseph H. Gray House.
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Greystone Castle.
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The Hawkins House.
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The Humphrey House.
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The Immaculate Conception Church.
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The J. Clarence Kind House.
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The Lake Mansion.
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Landrum's Hamburger System No. 1.
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The Levy House.
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The Mackay School of Mines Building.
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The McCarthy-Platt House.
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The McKinley Park School.
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The Miller-Rowe-Holgate House.
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Morrill Hall at the University of Nevada, Reno.
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The Mount Rose Elementary School.
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The Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad Depot.
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The Nevada-California-Oregon Railway Locomotive House and Machine Shop.
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The Senator Francis G. Newlands House.
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The Mary Lee Nichols School.
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The Nystrom Guest House.
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The Old Winters Ranch/Winters Mansion.
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The Patrick Ranch House.
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The Pincolini Hotel.
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The Pioneer Theater-Auditorium.
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The Reno National Bank-First Interstate Bank.
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The Reno Southern Pacific Railroad Depot.
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The Riverside Hotel.
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The Robison House.
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The Southside School.
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The Twaddle Mansion.
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The Twaddle-Pedroli Ranch.
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The Tyson House.
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The University of Nevada Reno Historic District.
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The US Post Office-Reno Main.
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The Vachina Apartments-California Apartments.
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The Virginia Street Bridge.
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The Wadsworth Union Church.
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The Washoe County Courthouse.
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The Washoe County Library.
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The Washoe County Library-Sparks Branch.
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The Whittell Estate (Thunderbird Lodge).
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