Timeline of Reno, Nevada facts for kids

Welcome to the exciting history of Reno, a cool city in Nevada, USA! Let's travel back in time to see how Reno grew from a small settlement into the vibrant city it is today.

Reno's Early Days: The 1800s

• 1864: The University of Nevada was started.
• 1868:
  • Reno was founded! It was named after Union Army officer Jesse Lee Reno.
  • The Reno Crescent newspaper began publishing.
• 1870: Reno's population was 1,035 people.
• 1871: The main office for Washoe County moved to Reno from Washoe City.
• 1872: The Virginia and Truckee Railroad started running trains.
• 1873:
  • A big fire happened in Reno.
  • The Court House was built.
• 1874: The Nevada State Journal newspaper began publishing.
• 1877: A bridge in Reno was rebuilt.
• 1879: Reno officially became a town.
• 1882: The Nevada and Oregon Railroad started operating.
• 1885: The Riverside Hotel opened for business.
• 1886: The Nevada State University moved to Reno from Elko.
• 1894: The 20th Century Club, a group for women, was formed.

Reno Grows Up: The 1900s

Early 1900s: Big Changes for Reno

• 1900: Reno's population grew to 4,500 people.
• 1901: Reno officially became a city!
• 1904:
  • The Nevada Historical Society was created.
  • The Carnegie Free Public Library opened its doors.
• 1905: The Virginia Street Bridge was rebuilt.
• 1907:
  • The Reno Commercial Club was officially started.
  • The City Hall was rebuilt.
  • Richard Kirman, Sr. became the mayor.
  • The University of Nevada's Mackay School of Mines was established.
• 1910:
  • July 4: A famous boxing match between Jeffries and Johnson took place in Reno.
  • The Washoe County Courthouse and Bethel AME Church were built.
  • Reno's population reached 10,867 people.
• 1911: The YMCA building was officially opened.
• 1913: The time needed to live in Reno to get a divorce changed to one year.
• 1922: The Nevada Public Economy League set up its main office in Reno.
• 1923: Edwin E. Roberts became mayor.
• 1925: The Empire Theatre opened.
• 1926: The Southern Pacific Railroad depot and the famous Reno Arch were built.
• 1927:
  • The Transcontinental Highway Exposition was held, and the California Building was constructed.
  • The time needed to live in Reno for a divorce changed again, to three months.
• 1928: The State Theatre opened.
• 1929: Hubbard Field (an airfield) and the Odd Fellows Building were built.
• 1930: Reno's population was 18,529 people.
• 1931:
  • Gambling became legal in Reno.
  • The time needed to live in Reno for a divorce changed to just six weeks.
  • The Nevada Art Gallery was founded.
  • The Washoe County Library building opened.
  • The El Cortez Hotel opened for business.
  • The Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno was established.
• 1933: The Reno Main Post Office was built.
• 1935: The Reno Little Theater was founded.
• 1936:
  • The Southside School Annex was built.
  • Harold's Club was founded.
• 1937: Harrah's Entertainment (a bingo parlor) opened for business.
• 1939: The First Church of Christ, Scientist was built.
• 1942: The Reno Army Air Base began operating.

Mid to Late 1900s: Reno Becomes a City of Fun

• 1953: KZTV television and KNEV radio began broadcasting.
• 1957: February 5: A gas explosion occurred.
• 1959: The Desert Research Institute was established.
• 1960:
  • The airport terminal was built.
  • Reno's population reached 51,470 people.
• 1962: The Club Cal Neva casino opened for business.
• 1964: The Reno Air Races began.
• 1966: The Downtown Library opened.
• 1967: The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts was built.
• 1969: The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra was formed.
• 1970: Reno's population was 72,863 people.
• 1971: Peppermill Reno opened for business.
• 1972: Atlantis Casino Resort opened for business.
• 1973: Eldorado Reno opened for business.
• 1974: The Reno Chamber Orchestra was established.
• 1976: Fitzgeralds Casino opened for business.
• 1977: The National Reno Gay Rodeo became active.
• 1978: The Meadowood Mall, Circus Circus Casino, and MGM Grand Reno casino opened for business.
• 1980: Reno's population reached 100,756 people.
• 1981: The Nevada School of Law at Old College was founded.
• 1982:
  • The Balloon Race began.
  • The Reno Pops Orchestra was formed.
• 1983:
  • The Reno Gazette-Journal newspaper began publishing.
  • KNPB television and KRNV-FM radio began broadcasting.
• 1984: The University of Nevada's School of Journalism was established.
• 1985:
  • January 21: An airplane crash occurred (Galaxy Airlines Flight 203).
  • The University of Nevada, Reno Arboretum was established.
• 1989: The Sierra Safari Zoo opened.
• 1990: Reno's population was 133,850 people.
• 1992:
  • Nevada Humanities Chautauqua was established.
  • Reno Air began operating flights.
• 1995:
  • The National Bowling Stadium opened.
  • Silver Legacy Reno opened for business.
• 1997: The Great Basin Bird Observatory was founded.
• 1999:
  • The Reno–Tahoe Open golf tournament began.
  • The Artown nonprofit organization became active.

Reno Today: The 2000s and Beyond

• 2002: Bob Cashell became mayor.
• 2003: The funny TV show Reno 911! began broadcasting across the country.
• 2004:
  • The Sierra Foundation was established.
  • The Reno River Fest began.
• 2005: The Great Basin Community Food Co-op was founded.
• 2006:
  • March 14: A shooting happened at Pine Middle School (Pine Middle School shooting).
  • The Battle Born Derby Demons (a roller derby team) was established.
• 2008: April: Earthquakes happened in Reno (Reno earthquakes).
• 2010:
  • Stewie the cat was named the world's longest domestic cat.
  • Reno's population was 225,221; the wider metro area had 425,417 people.
• 2011: September 16: A plane crash occurred at the Reno Air Races.
• 2014: Hillary Schieve became mayor.