60-598: Reno is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada. Reno may also refer to: Reno , a retailer in Germany. Reno, Nevada Reno ( / ˈ r iː n oʊ / REE -noh ) is a city in the northwest section of the U.S. state of Nevada , along the Nevada–California border. It is the county seat and most populous city of Washoe County . Sitting in the High Eastern Sierra foothills, in
120-587: A hot-summer Mediterranean climate ( Köppen : Csa ) to the west. It experiences moderately cold winters and hot summers; it is influenced by the Sierra Nevada mountains to the west and the more arid Great Basin to the east. It is situated across a varied geographic landscape, which extends from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada into the Truckee River valley. While Reno experiences a rain shadow effect from
180-737: A metropolitan area that covers Storey and Washoe counties. The MSA had a combined population of 425,417 at the 2010 census . There is an Italian-American community in Reno. Until the 1960s, Reno was the gambling capital of the United States, but Las Vegas' rapid growth, American Airlines ' 2000 buyout of Reno Air , and the growth of Native American gaming in California have reduced its gambling economy. Older casinos were torn down ( Mapes Hotel , Fitzgerald's Nevada Club , Primadonna, Horseshoe Club, Harold's Club , Palace Club), or smaller casinos like
240-494: A " Washoe Zephyr ", can develop in the Sierra Nevada, causing air to be pulled down in the Sierra Nevada and Reno, destroying or preventing thunderstorms, but the same wind can push air upward against the Virginia Range and other mountain ranges east of Reno, creating powerful thunderstorms. Winter snowfall is usually light to moderate, but can be heavy some days, averaging 20.9 inches (53 cm) annually. Snowfall varies with
300-426: A boost to the new city's economy. In the following decades, Reno continued to grow and prosper as a business and agricultural center and became the principal settlement on the transcontinental railroad between Sacramento and Salt Lake City . As the mining boom waned early in the 20th century, Nevada's centers of political and business activity shifted to the nonmining communities, especially Reno and Las Vegas . Nevada
360-421: A divorce case to be present in court, and men often could not take that much time off from work. Although new "residents" seeking divorce were required to swear under oath that they intended to make Nevada their permanent home, most left soon after obtaining their divorce decree, which often occurred on the same day as the initial court hearing. In addition to tens of thousands of ordinary people, Reno also became
420-499: A few years, the Bank Club, owned by George Wingfield , Bill Graham, and Jim McKay, was the state's largest employer and the largest casino in the world. Wingfield owned most of the buildings in town that housed gaming and took a percentage of the profits, along with his rent. As the divorce industry declined, gambling became the major Reno industry. While gaming pioneers such as "Pappy" and Harold Smith of Harold's Club and Bill Harrah of
480-437: A major destination for celebrities, and the very wealthy looking to end their marriages as quickly as possible. Some of the many famous personages who got divorced in Reno include Mary Pickford , Jack Dempsey , General Douglas MacArthur , Carol Lombard , Tallulah Bankhead , Adlai Stevenson II , Lana Turner , Nelson Rockefeller , Georges Simenon , Rita Hayworth , Gloria Vanderbilt and Cornelius Vanderbilt IV . The latter
540-540: A new major technology center in the United States. Reno is just east of the Sierra Nevada , on the western edge of the Great Basin at an elevation of about 4,400 feet (1,300 m) above sea level . Numerous faults exist throughout the region. Most of these are normal (vertical motion) faults associated with the uplift of the various mountain ranges, including the Sierra Nevada. In February 2008, an earthquake swarm began to occur, lasting for several months, with
600-481: A popular destination for migratory divorce in an era when most states had highly restrictive laws on the subject. Legislation passed in 1931 completed the gradual reduction of residency requirement from six months to six weeks, and Reno openly advertised itself as the "Divorce Capital of the World". Nevada's laws, which were fairly progressive for the time, allowed numerous grounds for divorce and Reno's courts quickly gained
660-522: A reputation for handling cases with both celerity and sympathy for those seeking to "untie the knot". From the 1930s through the 1960s Reno became synonymous with speedy divorce, often referred to colloquially as "the six week cure". During these decades the city's reputation drew thousands of divorcees annually, and they in turn became an important part of the local economy. These temporary residents flocked to hotels, boardinghouses , and hospitality ranches , many of which catered primarily to those waiting out
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#1733085838407720-510: A state of emergency was declared. The fires came at the end of Reno's longest recorded dry spell. Wetlands are an important part of the Reno/Tahoe area. They act as a natural filter for the solids that come out of the water treatment plant. Plant roots absorb nutrients from the water and naturally filter it. Wetlands are home to over 75% of the species in the Great Basin . The area's wetlands are at risk of being destroyed due to development around
780-412: Is 108 °F (42 °C), which occurred on July 10 and 11, 2002, again on July 5, 2007, and again on July 16, 2023. The all-time record low temperature is −17 °F (−27 °C), which occurred on January 21, 1916; the lowest temperature recorded at the airport is −16 °F (−27 °C), which occurred on four occasions, most recently on February 7, 1989. In addition, the region is windy throughout
840-442: Is an outdoor recreation destination, due to its proximity to the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe , and numerous ski resorts in the region. In 2018, the city officially changed its flag after a local contest was held. In recent years, the Reno metro area − spurred by large-scale investments from Greater Seattle and San Francisco Bay Area companies such as Amazon , Tesla , Panasonic , Microsoft , Apple , and Google − has become
900-641: Is further diversifying a region that was best known for distribution and logistics outside gaming and tourism. Switch 's new SUPERNAP campus at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center is shaping up to be the largest data center in the world once completed. Apple is expanding its data center at the adjacent Reno Technology Park and recently built a warehouse on land in downtown Reno. The greater Reno area also hosts distribution facilities for Amazon , Walmart , PetSmart and Zulily . According to Reno's 2023 Fiscal Year Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,
960-794: Is named after Civil War Union Major General Jesse L. Reno , who was killed in action during the American Civil War at the Battle of South Mountain , on Fox's Gap. Reno is part of the Reno–Sparks metropolitan area , the second-most populous metropolitan area in Nevada after the Las Vegas Valley . Known as Greater Reno, it includes Washoe, Storey , and Lyon Counties; the independent city and state capital Carson City ; and parts of Placer and Nevada Counties in California. The Reno metro area (along with
1020-635: Is often subject to wildfires that cause property damage and sometimes loss of life. In August 1960, the Donner Ridge fire resulted in a loss of electricity to the city for four days. In November 2011, arcing from powerlines caused a fire in Caughlin in southwest Reno that destroyed 26 homes and killed one man. Just two months later, a fire in Washoe Drive sparked by fireplace ashes destroyed 29 homes and killed one woman. Around 10,000 residents were evacuated, and
1080-411: Is still the third-largest gold producer in the world, after South Africa and Australia ; the state yielded 6.9% of the world's supply in 2005 world gold production. The Reno Arch was erected on Virginia Street in 1926 to promote the upcoming Transcontinental Highways Exposition of 1927. The arch included the words "Nevada's Transcontinental Highways Exposition" and the dates of the exposition. After
1140-468: Is the location of the corporate headquarters for several companies, including Braeburn Capital , Hamilton, Server Technology , EE Technologies , Caesars Entertainment , and Port of Subs . Companies based in the Reno metropolitan area include Sierra Nevada Corporation and U.S. Ordnance . International Game Technology , Bally Technologies and GameTech have a development and manufacturing presence. Since
1200-574: The California Trail , which followed the Truckee westward, before branching off towards Donner Lake , where the formidable obstacle of the Sierra Nevada began. Gold was discovered in the vicinity of Virginia City in 1850, and a modest mining community developed, but the discovery of silver in 1859 at the Comstock Lode led to a mining rush , and thousands of emigrants left their homes, bound for
1260-518: The Comstock , Sundowner , Golden Phoenix , Kings Inn , Money Tree, Virginian, and Riverboat were either closed or were converted into residential units. Because of its location, Reno has traditionally drawn the majority of its California tourists and gamblers from the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento while Las Vegas has historically served more tourists from Southern California and
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#17330858384071320-750: The Phoenix area. Several local large hotel casinos have shown significant growth and have moved gaming further away from the downtown core. These larger hotel casinos are the Atlantis , the Peppermill and the Grand Sierra Resort . The Peppermill was chosen as the most outstanding Reno gaming/hotel property by Casino Player and Nevada magazines. In 2005, the Peppermill Reno began a $ 300 million Tuscan -themed expansion. Reno holds several events throughout
1380-602: The Sierra Nevada Mountains . Archaeological finds place the eastern border for the prehistoric Martis people in the Reno area. As early as the mid-1850s, a few pioneers settled in the Truckee Meadows , a relatively fertile valley through which the Truckee River made its way from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake . In addition to subsistence farming , these early residents could pick up business from travelers along
1440-550: The Tahoe Reno Industrial Center is one of the largest buildings in the country, purportedly covering 5.8 million square feet. Although it was originally Tesla's largest factory, it's since been superseded by Gigafactory Texas , which has 10 million square feet. It employs roughly 11,000 people, making Tesla larger than any employer in the city of Reno, though the Industrial Center is located just outside of
1500-470: The Truckee River valley, on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, it is about 23 miles (37 km) northeast of Lake Tahoe . Known as "The Biggest Little City in the World", it is the 80th most populous city in the United States , the 3rd most populous city in Nevada , and the most populous in Nevada outside the Las Vegas Valley . The city had a population of 264,165 at the 2020 census . The city
1560-519: The diurnal temperature variation occasionally reaching 40 °F (22 °C) in summer, still lower than much of the high desert to the east. There are 6.0 days of 100 °F (38 °C)+ highs, 65 days of 90 °F (32 °C)+ highs, 1.6 days with 70 °F (21 °C)+ lows, and 1.9 days with sub-10 °F (−12 °C) lows annually; the temperature reaches or dips below the freezing point on 122 days, and does not rise above freezing on only 4.1 of those days. The all-time record high temperature
1620-449: The CPRR in exchange for its promise to build a depot at Lake's Crossing. In 1864, Washoe County was consolidated with Roop County , and Lake's Crossing became the county's largest town. Lake had earned himself the title "founder of Reno". Once the railroad station was established, the town of Reno officially came into being on May 9, 1868. CPRR construction superintendent Charles Crocker named
1680-477: The New York-based female protagonist tells a friend, "I am going to Reno," which was understood as declaring their intention to get a divorce. The divorce business eventually died out during the 1970s, as other states began relaxing their laws, and especially with the widespread introduction of no fault divorce . Reno took a leap forward when the state of Nevada legalized open gambling on March 19, 1931, at
1740-519: The West, hoping to find a fortune. To provide the necessary connection between Virginia City and the California Trail, Charles W. Fuller built a log toll bridge across the Truckee River in 1859. A small community that served travelers soon grew near the bridge. After two years, Fuller sold the bridge to Myron C. Lake, who continued to develop the community by adding a grist mill, kiln, and livery stable to
1800-621: The border south to the Colorado River. Congress granted the request in 1867, giving Nevada all of the western end of Arizona Territory . Arizona strongly protested, but found little sympathy in Congress due in part to Arizona having aligned with the Confederacy during the Civil War . The exact location of the due north-south California– Nevada border, between Lake Tahoe and the intersection with
1860-466: The city's estimated median household income was $ 44,846, and the median family income was $ 53,896. Males had a median income of $ 42,120 versus $ 31,362 for females. The city's per capita income was $ 25,041. About 9.6% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over. The population was 180,480 at the 2000 census ; in 2010, its population had risen to 225,221, making it
Reno (disambiguation) - Misplaced Pages Continue
1920-517: The city, and an ensuing fire, destroyed five buildings in the vicinity of Sierra and First Streets along the Truckee River. The disaster killed two people and injured 49. The first explosion hit under the block of shops on the west side of Sierra Street (now the site of the Century Riverside), the second, across Sierra Street, now the site of the Palladio. The presence of a main east–west rail line,
1980-402: The city. In 2023 Tesla announced a $ 3.6 billion expansion of the facility that would incorporate an additional four million square feet, including an all-new plant for Semis and a much larger one for battery development. The new facilities are expected to add up to 3,000 new Tesla employees to the region upon completion. The arrival of several data centers at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center
2040-424: The city. The population density was 2,186.6 inhabitants per square mile (844.3/km ). There were 102,582 housing units at an average density of 995.9 per square mile (384.5/km ). The city's racial makeup was 74.2% White , 2.9% African American , 1.3% Native American , 6.3% Asian , 0.7% Pacific Islander , 10.5% some other race , and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 24.3% of
2100-430: The city. While developers build on top of the wetlands they fill them with soil, destroying the habitat they create for the plants and animals. Washoe County has devised a plan that will help protect these ecosystems: mitigation. In the future, when developers try to build over a wetland, they will be responsible for creating another wetland near Washoe Lake. Reno has a cold semi-arid climate ( Köppen : BSk ), bordering
2160-613: The community after Major General Jesse Lee Reno , a Union officer killed in the Civil War at the Battle of South Mountain . In 1871, Reno became the county seat of the newly expanded Washoe County, replacing the county seat in Washoe City . However, political power in Nevada remained with the mining communities, first Virginia City and later Tonopah and Goldfield . The extension of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad to Reno in 1872 provided
2220-452: The east the Nevada territorial delegation to Congress requested the boundary be moved east to the 38th meridian , which Congress granted in 1862. The border was shifted further east, to the 37th meridian , in 1866, in part due to the discovery of more gold deposits. These eastward shifts took land away from Utah Territory . The southern border of Nevada Territory had been defined as the 37th parallel , but in 1866 Nevada asked Congress to move
2280-469: The east, meanwhile, can receive more summer thunderstorms and precipitation, and around twice as much annual snowfall above 5,500 feet (1,700 m). However, snowfall increases in the Virginia Range are less dramatic as elevation climbs than in the Carson Range to the west, because the Virginia Range is well within the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada and Carson Range. The most snowfall in Reno in one winter
2340-578: The emerging interstate highway system, favorable state tax climate, and relatively inexpensive land created good conditions for warehousing and distribution of goods. In the 1980s, Indian gaming rules were relaxed, and starting in 2000, Californian Native casinos began to cut into Reno casino revenues. Major new construction projects have been completed in the Reno and Sparks areas. A few new luxury communities were built in Truckee, California , about 28 miles (45 km) west of Reno on Interstate 80 . Reno also
2400-538: The exposition, the Reno City Council decided to keep the arch as a permanent downtown gateway, and Mayor E.E. Roberts asked the citizens of Reno to suggest a slogan for the arch. No acceptable slogan was received until a $ 100 prize was offered, and G.A. Burns of Sacramento was declared the winner on March 14, 1929, with "Reno, the Biggest Little City in the World". In the early twentieth century Nevada became
2460-677: The hotel and eating house. He renamed it "Lake's Crossing". Most of what is present-day western Nevada was formed as the Nevada Territory from part of Utah Territory in 1861. By January 1863, the Central Pacific Railroad (CPRR) had begun laying tracks east from Sacramento, California , eventually connecting with the Union Pacific Railroad at Promontory, Utah , to form the First transcontinental railroad . Lake deeded land to
Reno (disambiguation) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2520-805: The largest quake registering at 4.9 on the Richter magnitude scale , although some geologic estimates put it at 5.0. The earthquakes were centered on the Somersett community in western Reno near Mogul and Verdi . Many homes in these areas were damaged. The unique high desert geological features cause many to "describe Nevada as a rockhound's paradise .... access to millions of acres of government land" allows geologists, miners, and amateur rockhounds in Nevada "to hunt to your heart's content .... being able to find agate, opal, jasper, fossils, fluorescent minerals, obsidian, chalcedony, wonderstone, malachite, petrified wood, limb casts, and much more means paradise." The Reno area
2580-510: The lowest amounts (roughly 19–23 inches annually) at the lowest part of the valley at and east of the airport at 4,404 feet (1,342 m), while the foothills of the Carson Range to the west ranging from 4,700 to 5,600 feet (1,400 to 1,700 m) in elevation just a few miles west of downtown can receive two to three times as much annual snowfall. The mountains of the Virginia Range to
2640-512: The most precipitation in one month was 5.57 inches (141.5 mm) in January 2017 and the most precipitation in 24 hours was 2.29 inches (58.2 mm) on January 21, 1943. Most rainfall occurs in winter and spring. Summer thunderstorms can occur between April and October. The eastern side of town and the mountains east of Reno tend to be prone to thunderstorms more often, and these storms may be severe because an afternoon downslope west wind, called
2700-524: The native Washoe people. The separation of the territory from Utah was important to the federal government because of its political leanings, while the population itself was keen to be separated because of animosity (and sometimes violence) between non-Mormons in Nevada and Mormons from the rest of the Utah Territory . The eastern boundary of Nevada Territory had been defined as the 39th meridian west from Washington , but when gold discoveries were made to
2760-400: The neighboring city Sparks ) occupies a valley colloquially known as the Truckee Meadows . For much of the twentieth century Reno saw a significant number of migrants seeking to take advantage of Nevada's relatively lax divorce laws and the city gained a national reputation as a divorce mill . Today Reno is a tourist destination known for its casino gambling and proximity to Lake Tahoe and
2820-452: The population. Non-Hispanic Whites were 62.5% of the population in 2010, down from 88.5% in 1980. At the 2010 census, there were 90,924 households, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.4% were headed by married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% were someone living alone who
2880-507: The same time as it liberalized its divorce laws. The statewide push for legal Nevada gaming was led by Reno entrepreneur Bill Graham, who owned the Bank Club Casino in Reno, which was on Center Street. No other state offered legalized casino gaming like Nevada had in the 1930s, and casinos such as the Bank Club and Palace were popular. A few states had legal parimutuel horse racing , but no other state had legal casino gambling. Within
2940-454: The six week residency requirement before their court date. Numerous local businesses openly courted these visitors, such as R. Herz & Bro , a jewelry store that offered ring resetting services to the recently divorced and the luxurious El Cortez Hotel , which was built in part to accommodate the more affluent among Reno's six week guests. The majority of those who came to Reno for divorce were women as Nevada did not require both parties in
3000-402: The soon-to-dominate Harrah's Casino set up shop in the 1930s, the war years of the 1940s cemented Reno as the place to play for two decades. Beginning in the 1950s, the need for economic diversification beyond gaming fueled a movement for more lenient business taxation. At 1:03 pm, on February 5, 1957, two explosions, caused by natural gas leaking into the maze of pipes and ditches under
3060-478: The southern boundary of Oregon at the 42nd parallel , was contentious and was surveyed and re-surveyed well into the 20th century. Congress transferred some of the lands west of the Colorado River including Pah-Ute County, Arizona Territory to the State of Nevada on May 5, 1866. Part of this southern tip of Nevada was established as Clark County in 1909 and contains the city of Las Vegas . The territorial capital
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#17330858384073120-844: The surrounding mountains, its western portions can receive three to four times as much precipitation as those extending eastward. Annual rainfall patterns in Reno adhere to a Mediterranean climate, with most precipitation occurring in fall, winter, and spring, followed by long, hot, dry summers. However, Reno's average annual rainfall is slightly lower than that of Californian cities more typically associated with Mediterranean climates. The area's low evapotranspiration stemming from its moderate annual average temperature also bears similarity to semi-arid climates found in Nevada's Great Basin. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 36.2 °F (2.3 °C) in December to 77.2 °F (25.1 °C) in July, with
3180-440: The third-largest city in the state after Las Vegas and Henderson , and the largest outside Clark County . Reno lies 26 miles (42 km) north of the Nevada state capital, Carson City , and 22 miles (35 km) northeast of Lake Tahoe in a shrub-steppe environment. Reno shares its eastern border with the city of Sparks and is the larger of the principal cities of the Reno–Sparks, Nevada Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA),
3240-573: The top employers in the city are: Employees Nevada Territory The Territory of Nevada (N.T.) was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until October 31, 1864, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Nevada . Prior to the creation of the Nevada Territory, the area was part of western Utah Territory and was known as Washoe , after
3300-564: The turn of the 21st century, greater Reno saw an influx of technology companies entering the area, following major initiatives and investments by investors from Seattle & the Bay Area . The first one in 1999 was Amazon.com in Fernley . After the Great Recession , the state placed an increased focus on economic development. Thousands of new jobs were created. The Tesla Gigafactory at
3360-592: The year to draw tourists to the area. They include Hot August Nights (a classic car convention), Street Vibrations (a motorcycle fan gathering and rally), The Great Reno Balloon Race , a Cinco de Mayo celebration, bowling tournaments (held in the National Bowling Stadium ), and the Reno Air Races . Several large commercial developments were constructed during the mid-2000s boom, such as The Summit in 2007 and Legends at Sparks Marina in 2008. Reno
3420-482: The year; observers such as Mark Twain have commented about the "Washoe Zephyr", northwestern Nevada's distinctive wind. Annual precipitation has ranged from 1.55 inches (39.4 mm) in 1947 to 13.73 inches (348.7 mm) in 2017. The most precipitation in one month was 6.76 inches (171.7 mm) in January 1916 and the most precipitation in 24 hours was 2.71 inches (68.8 mm) on January 28, 1903. At Reno–Tahoe International Airport , where records go back to 1937,
3480-448: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43, and the average family size was 3.10. In the city, the 2010 population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males. In 2011
3540-429: Was 72.3 inches (184 cm) in 1915–1916, with an astonishing 65.7 inches (167 cm) in January, the most in a calendar month, as well as 22.5 inches (57 cm) on January 17, the most in a calendar day; the most snowfall in a calendar year was 82.3 inches (209 cm) in 1916. See or edit raw graph data . As of the census of 2010, there were 225,221 people, 90,924 households, and 51,112 families residing in
3600-499: Was married seven times and had five of his six divorces in Nevada. Mr. Vanderbilt was so taken with Reno that, unlike most migrant divorcees, he eventually settled there permanently. In the 1939 film The Women , Reno and its divorce culture serve as a backdrop to a significant part of the plot. Ernie Pyle once wrote in one of his columns, "All the people you saw on the streets in Reno were obviously there to get divorces." In Ayn Rand 's novel The Fountainhead , published in 1943,
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