The Truckee River
Flowing out of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the west, the Truckee River is Reno’s most striking natural and historical feature. Shown below on a relief map of the surrounding Reno area are a few of the more significant historical sites near the river.
1 Chinatown. This section of Reno was inhabited by the city’s oriental population from 1869 to around 1920.
2 Reno Gas Works. Established in 1878, the plant on this site produced illuminating gas for Reno through 1890.
3 The Alhambra. A former gristmill, this structure later became a saloon and lodging house. Reno’s first school opened here in the Fall of 1868 and early clergymen held services here.
4 The Lake House. A way station founded by Myron C. Lake in 1862. It later developed into the Riverside Hotel. Lake donated land for a depot and townsite when the Central Pacific Railroad came through the Truckee Canyon. He is considered the Father of Reno.
5 Lake’s Toll Bridge. The main crossing of the Truckee River on the Honey Lake Toll Road, 1862-1877.
6 Washoo County Courthouse. Following the established of Reno as the county seat of Washoe County in 1871, the first courthouse was built on this site.
7 Belle Isle/Wingfield Park. In 1911 an amusement park and dance pavilion was built on this site. Known as Belle Isle, it was a community cultural and recreational center, in 1920, financier George Wingfield donated the property to the city as a park site.
8 Site of Eugene Ely’s Flight. On July 4, 1911, the famous aviator Eugene Ely make one of the earliest exhibition flights in Reno’s history at this site.
9 Old Virginia and Truckee Railroad Bridge. Constructed in 1871, this bride was part of the famous V and T Shortline Railroad connecting Reno with Carson City and the Comstock Lode.
Marker can be reached from Truckee River Lane near West Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
