Glimpses of Early Reno Still Found in Historic Powning's Addition Neighborhood

 

Reno's McKinley School

  In recent years, more and more attention is being paid to a Reno neighborhood known as Powning’s Addition. Directly west of downtown Reno and north of the Truckee River (roughly bordered by Keystone Avenue, Commercial Row, Arlington Avenue and Riverside Drive), the area contains some of the community’s most historically-significant structures.

  The neighborhood takes its name from Christopher Columbus (C.C.) Powning, one-time owner and editor of the Nevada State Journal newspaper, who served as the primary force behind its development.

  Powning, who is now largely forgotten, owned the newspaper from 1871 to 1891, and also served as president of the Reno Water, Land and Light Company, the main utility provider for the community.

  In 1886, Powning purchased 122 acres of land west of the downtown, which he divided into lots and began selling under the name, Powning’s Addition.

  According to historical records, while sales were steady in the beginning, with a number of Italian families locating in the new neighborhood, construction was stop-and-go because of Nevada’s roller coaster economy, which, at the time, was so dependent on mining.

  As a result, homes were built in the subdivision over a five to six-decade period (from the 1890s to the 1940s). Construction styles varied with early houses built with a Queen Anne design (popular in the late Victorian period) and later homes largely being Craftsman bungalows, a style popular in the 1930s.

  Additionally, commercial development began to appear along First and Second streets, which intersect the tract, due to the increasing popularity of the automobile, particularly after the development of the Lincoln Highway, which passed through downtown Reno.

  Today, Powning’s Addition is a mixed-use neighborhood with many quaint historic homes, some still used as residences, surrounded by office buildings, apartments, commercial developments, and elegant houses that have been converted into businesses.

  Several years ago, Nevada historical writer Patty Cafferata produced an excellent walking tour booklet (“A Walk Through Time: The Historic Powning’s Addition in Reno, Nevada”) that listed some two dozen noteworthy sites in Powning’s Addition, including:

  • The McKinley Park School at 925 Riverside Drive. This beautiful Mission Revival-style school, now an arts center, was erected in 1909-10. The school was one of Reno’s “Spanish Quartet” schools, designed at the time by noted Nevada architect George Ferris in a Mission Revival style. Today, McKinley and Mount Rose Elementary School still survive.

  • The Pearl Upson House, 937 Jones, is a good example of the Queen Anne-style architecture. This red brick, two-story house was built in about 1902 by Mr. and Mrs. Pearl Upson and still serves as a private residence.

  • Dow House, 935 Jones, is another classic red brick Queen Anne, built about the same time as the Upson home. It boasts a wrap-around porch and is currently used as an office.

  • Rocovits Gas Station, 100 Winter, considered Reno’s oldest gas station. The gas station, believed to have been constructed in 1914, was one of the early commercial businesses built in Powning’s Addition.

  • Dondero Property, 96 Winter and 98 Winter, is a prime example of some of the development by Italian-American homeowners. The brick bungalow at 96 Winter served as the residence of Archangelo and Amelia Dondero, the first Italians to own a business in downtown Reno (“The Northerner” saloon on Center Street, now part of Harrah’s). The two-story building behind the house, at 98 Winter, was a boarding house for Italian immigrant railroad workers.

  • Lora J. Knight House, 615 Jones, is a magnificent home and matching cottage that was built in 1931 by a prominent Southern California philanthropist. Mrs. Knight, who also built the Vikingsholm mansion at Lake Tahoe, accommodated guests here before they made the long journey to Lake Tahoe. Over the years, it has been remodeled extensively and is currently used as offices.

  • St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 310 West Second, is an impressive cathedral built in 1907 and rebuilt in 1910 after a fire. It utilizes a blending of architectural styles, including Renaissance, Classical and Baroque and remains in use as a Catholic Church.

  Unfortunately, “A Walk Through Time: The Historic Powning’s Addition in Reno, Nevada,” is out of print but it can occasionally be found on online used bookseller sites.

Virginia City's Fourth Ward School Remains Important Link to the Past

  One of the most impressive historic structures still standing in the old mining town of Virginia City is the community’s majestic Fourth Ward School.

  Well-maintained due to the ongoing efforts of many in the local community, the Fourth Ward School is proof of the importance of historic preservation efforts.

  The school was built in 1876 in the French-influenced Second Empire architectural style, which was popular in the late 19th century.

  Inside, room boasts high-ceilings, transoms above the doors and large windows that allowed the free flow of air were included in the design because it was thought that they helped reduce the spread of contagious diseases.

  The school’s relative opulence—cost estimates range from $50,000 to as high as $100,000—reflect the era when it was built. The mid-1870s were the peak of the Comstock mining boom, so it was only fitting that such a successful community build such an impressive schoolhouse.

  Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the school is its size. It was constructed to accommodate more than 1,000 students in 16 classrooms. Housed on its four floors were both a grammar school and a high school.

  The structure also boasted many surprisingly modern conveniences—at least they were modern for the times—such as a central heating system, water piped to every floor, drinking fountains and indoor “Philadelphia-style,” patented, spring-loaded, self-flushing toilets.

  According to Nevada historian Susan James, the school achieved several educational milestones during its day, including being the first high school to award diplomas for successful completion of nine grades (by 1909, it had added all 12 grades).

  Virginia City’s declining fortunes along with the school’s age and construction of a newer school building resulted in the Fourth Ward School closing in 1936.

  For the next three decades, the magnificent structure stood empty, its fate uncertain. Starting in the 1960s, however, the community rallied around efforts to save the old school.

  Finally, in the 1980s, the building was rehabilitated. In 1986, it reopened as a museum devoted to the school’s rich past and to telling the history of the Comstock region.

  Today, a visit to the Fourth Ward School is a chance to glimpse the glorious history of 19th century Virginia City. Several of the old classrooms have been renovated and filled with historic artifacts telling both the story of the school and the city.

  While the building boasts a modern elevator, walking to the second floor is a special treat because you can trudge up the worn wooden steps used by so many generations of Virginia City students—and almost feel their presence.

  At the top of the stairs is a classroom that contains an old print shop, which was part of the school's vocational curriculum. A larger room across the hall is set up with chairs for public presentations and performances.

  The school’s Changing Gallery features an exhibit offering an overview of the history of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, including recent efforts to reconstruct the historic rail line between Virginia City and Carson City.

  The Fourth Ward School Museum is located at 537 C Street at the south end of Virginia City (the Gold Hill side). The museum is open daily from May 1 through October 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  During the winter, the museum offers reduced hours. Call 775-847-0975 ahead of time to see if they are open. For more information, go to www.fourthwardschool.org.

Carson City Region's Best Walks and Hikes Spotlighted in New Book

 

Jumbo Grade trail, included in Mike White's new hiking book

  Author Mike White knows his way around Carson City. That fact is obvious after reading his latest book, “50 of the Best Strolls, Walks, and Hikes Around Carson City,” published recently by the University of Nevada Press.

  Reno-based White, who has written nearly two-dozen books about hiking in Nevada and California, focuses on trails and walks in the vicinity of Nevada’s Capital City. Aided by informative maps and photos (by award-winning outdoor photographer Mark Vollmer), White provides detailed directions and descriptions of the various trips in the book.

  The book is divided into four geographical sections: Eagle Valley and the Carson River; the Foothills; the Mountains; and Washoe Valley and Virginia City. Within each, he describes about a dozen individual hikes/walks that can be found in that area.

  For example, he kicks off the first section (Eagle Valley and the Carson River) with the popular Riverview Park walk, an easy trek that my wife and I enjoyed doing when our children were young. The trail, which has several loops, takes visitors through some 108 acres of sagebrush, wetlands, and cottonwoods on the west bank of the Carson River. We often saw wild horses along the way during our regular walks.

  Within each entry, White includes a map, photos, distance information, elevation gain, things to look for, recommended users (e.g. hikers, trail runners, bikers, etc.), whether dogs are allowed, difficulty of the hike, and recommended best time of year to make the trek.

  The section titled the Foothills focuses on hikes in the hills around Carson City, such as the V & T Railroad Grade (which overlooks the northern part of the city), the Waterfall Trail and Kings Canyon Loop (directly west of the city on Kings Canyon Road and takes you to the only waterfall in the area), and C Hill (where you can hike up to the big white “C” above the city).

  The Mountains section takes visitors outside of the city limits and includes directions for hiking portions of the Tahoe Rim Trail, the hike to Marlette Lake, the famed Flume Trail, and the Lam Watah Trail to Nevada Beach.

  The final section, Washoe Valley and Virginia City, includes hikes in Davis Creek Park, the Jumbo Hill Loop (which rises above Washoe Valley’s east side and leads to Virginia City), the easy Deadman Creek Loop at Washoe Valley, and the fairly challenging hike to the top of Mount Davidson above Virginia City.

  One of the highlights of each entry are Vollmer’s beautiful images, particularly of the views visitors will find and of the wildlife they may encounter.

  The book begins with an informative section addressing things such as the best ways to hike with children, hiking with dogs, trail etiquette and safety, what to pack on backcountry hikes, and other useful tips.

  “50 of the Best Strolls, Walks, and Hikes Around Carson City” by Mike White is available on the University of Nevada Press website (www.unpress.nevada.edu/) or in local bookstores or from online booksellers.