Dear HRPS Members,
Well, we got our white Christmas, and much needed moisture in Reno and the Sierras. We hope this is a sign of good things to come for 2022! However, Covid is still a concern and we have elected to continue with virtual monthly programs through April, with one change, the programs will be conducted directly by HRPS, not though the Washoe County Library. Links to register for each presentation will be available in these monthly newsletters and also on our website at www.historicreno.org. We think we've got an interesting lineup for you. If snow and cold weather has you in the mood for hibernating, we've got a book recommendation and several preservation articles worth reading. Have you made any New Year's resolutions? Here at HRPS our perennial one is to continue educating the public on the importance of respecting and preserving our diminishing supply of historic buildings. We can never bring back what we've already lost but we can be a voice, a red flag when necessary, to preserve our heritage. Thank you for being a champion of preservation. We wish you a safe, healthy, and prosperous new year! |
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"Lear Theater - What's Next?" Tuesday, January 11, 2022, 5:30pm via Zoom |
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It would be difficult to identify a building in Reno with greater architectural, historical, and cultural significance than what we know today as the Lear Theater at 501 Riverside Drive. Designed by Paul Revere Williams, perhaps the most important African American architect of the 20th century, the Lear is slated for yet another transfer of ownership. |
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As ownership of the building transfers from Artown to the City of Reno, this seems an opportune time to increase community awareness about the future of the Lear.
Writer, historian, educator and community voice on preservation, Dr. Alicia Barber will talk about what makes this building so significant, what protections are in place to preserve it, and what the new owners should keep in mind as they develop new plans for the building.
Program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. |
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High Noon with Neal Cobb
"Nevada Mining from Silver & Gold to Copper & Lithium - 170 years of Development"
Thursday, January 20, 2022, 12 Noon via Zoom |
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Paul Franklin has been an executive in the semiconductor industry for some 50 years. During his career he was instrumental in the start-up of five companies. Now retired, he consults with startup tech companies and is a frequent lecturer at Stanford University.
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From the first emigrants panning for gold in a Canyon emptying into the Carson River around 1849 to today’s mammoth open pit excavations, mining methods and technology have evolved, including what minerals are sought. The Comstock developed more efficient methods of deep mining and extraction. The minerals initially sought were precious metals, then salts and copper and today’s lithium. Mining historian, Paul Frankin, will discuss the developing methods, and technology in this history of mining in the Silver State. |
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Program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. |
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January Reading Recommendation "Preparing for Winter - An 1896 Western Adventure" |
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Fifth generation in the Pacific Northwest, Rebecca Hess was raised on a farm in Matlock, WA, originally an 1889 family homestead. Rebecca and husband Ron now make their home on ten acres outside Reno, NV. After raising a daughter, and the passing of parents, Rebecca is following her passion of writing historic novels about rural life, self-sufficiency, and family commitments, as well as honing her blacksmithing skills, following in the footsteps of two great grandfathers. "Preparing for Winter, An 1896 Western Adventure" is a story filled with action, character, historical happenings, and dozens of family recipes of the era. It is a companion story from R. Hess’ first novel, "Second Chance A Western Adventure". Visit Rebecca's website |
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Visit the Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum |
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Thinking of attending the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV January 24-29, 2022? If so, make a stop at the Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum at 542 Commercial Street, where they will be holding a gear Show & Sale on the 27th, 28th and 29th.
The show will feature contemporary artists and craftsmen in the trades of saddle makers, bit makers, spur makers, silversmiths, rawhide braiders and others
Stepping into the museum is a walk through time, into the early 1900's when ranching was the primary industry, and saddle and gear makers raised their craft to new levels. |
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Out of the Shadows - Reinterpreting a National Trust Historic Site
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The Shadows-on-the-Teche is undoubtedly idiosyncratic, if not a little mysterious. The only site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the Gulf South, its original owner was not the stereotypical Southern gentleman, but a white woman—a planter and enslaver in her own right.
Its donor was equally non-conformative, eschewing gender normative activities of his era in favor of an art and domestic-centered life, restoring The Shadows and entertaining a varied circle of artists, writers, early historic preservationists and cultural figures, including many people from around the country who today may identify as LGBTQ+. And lastly, The Shadows—as with many antebellum homes—is a paradox: its beautiful architecture, lush grounds, and extensive decorative arts collection was all made possible by the enslavement of Africans and their descendants.
Read full article |
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A New Song for Rabbit's Motel
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Historic photo of Rabbit's Motel |
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Opened in 1948 in Asheville, North Carolina’s Southside neighborhood, Rabbit’s Motel was an essential respite during the segregated Green Book era. The Green Book guide, first published in 1936, provided Black travelers with listings of hotels, restaurants, and businesses that would be welcoming to them. Owner Fred “Rabbit” Simpson’s tourist court played host to a who’s who of Black travelers. But he also served his neighbors in the Southside neighborhood.
The motel also had a popular soul food restaurant with an indoor fountain that served favorites like “pork chops the size of bibles” and cornbread. At the helm for much of the eatery’s heyday was Lou Ella Byrd, wife of Fred Simpson’s nephew. Locals and visitors alike could sit down and enjoy a meal, unlike at the segregated counters at Kress and Woolworths. Rabbit’s operated when Black-owned businesses in Asheville were at an all-time high. A fire in 2017 caused Byrd to put the motel up for sale. Read about the remarkable rescue of this once famous travel spot. |
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Places Restored, Threatened, Saved, and Lost
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LULAC Council 60 Clubhouse |
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In the early 20th century, Mexican nationals and Mexican Americans began to organize to challenge persistent discrimination and white supremacist policies, and to discuss political tactics against social and institutional oppression. In 1929, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) was created in response to decades of anti-Mexican violence, at a time when "No Mexicans Allowed" signs and brutal lynchings of persons of Mexican descent were commonplace in the Southwest. In addition, systemic racial, social, and political actions such as redlining, discriminatory mortgage lending practices, and lynchings especially impacted Mexican Americans living in the Southwest.
For nearly 60 years, the Council 60 Clubhouse served as a meeting house for the movement. It was a political hub of activity championing justice and equity—particularly in the 1950s and '60s, some of the most active years of the Latinx Civil Rights Movement.
Today the site is a locally protected landmark, with advocates working to further preserve the site for the future. Read full story.
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From January 2, 1922, a bit of musing on New Year's resolutions. Also reported in that issue: "December storms brought 2.37 inches of moisture to Reno, exceeding the normal precipitation by 0.68 of an inch and bringing the season's total up to within a fraction of an inch of the average since September 1 according to the weather bureau's summary for the month. In only one other month during the calendar year of 1921 was there more precipitation than December. The record for last May was 2.57 inches. The total was 7.25 inches, a deficiency of 3.16 inches. The accumulated snowfall in Reno in December was 12.6 inches." The article goes on to note 1921 was a particularly warm year with daily average temperatures 2.7 degrees warmer than normal. The start of global warming? |
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New Stories Added Monthly |
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Download the Reno Historical app or go to the Reno Historical website for an instant mini-history of old buildings and neighborhoods right from your phone! Each historical vignette contains a photo of an old building and a story about its history. Introduce yourself to our city a little at a time and you'll be amazed at how quickly you feel like an old timer! |
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Encourage Your Friends to Join HRPS! |
The Reno landscape is changing every day, new buildings going up, and sadly, some old ones coming down. HRPS is "Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Historic Resources in the Truckee Meadows through Education, Advocacy and Leadership" HRPS has nearly 500 members, and your membership is a vote for historic preservation.
Do you have friends, neighbors, or family members who share an interest in our mission? If so, forward a copy of this newsletter and encourage them to join HRPS!
A single membership is just $25/year ($45 for a family membership) and you can now join and pay online. Members enjoy monthly e-mail newsletters, our information-packed quarterly FootPrints magazine, free admission to walking tours and certain other HRPS events, plus the knowledge you are helping support historic preservation in Reno. |
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Historic Reno Preservation Society | P.O. Box 14003, Reno, NV 89507 board@historicreno.org | 775-747-4478
Virginia Street Bridge photos courtesy of Nevada Historical Society
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