City history
Discover the history of Reno, Nevada, from its origins in Washoe territory to its development as a major railroad and gaming hub.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Named after Jesse L. Reno"
No specific indigenous name for the site is reliably documented; the settlement was established in the ancestral territory of the Washoe people.
Named after Jesse L. Reno
The city was named in honor of Jesse L. Reno, a prominent Union General during the American Civil War, following its incorporation.
Chapter two
The arrival of transcontinental railroads led to the synchronization of local solar time with standardized time zones, establishing Pacific Time in the region.
The Uniform Time Act brought standardized schedules for daylight saving time to the region, aligning Reno with federal practices.
Chapter three
Reno was officially incorporated as a city in 1868, providing a formal structure for its rapid growth as a regional transportation and trade hub.
The arrival of the Central Pacific Railroad provided a critical link for commerce and travel, fundamentally transforming the settlement into a major hub.
The Virginia and Truckee Railroad began service, providing an essential connection between the growing Reno area and the silver-rich Comstock Lode mines.
Nevada granted women the right to vote in 1920, marking a significant milestone in the state's evolving political and social landscape.