November 2022

HRPS News & Updates

Dear HRPS Members,

Crisp air, falling leaves, time to pause, take stock, and look around our beautiful city. Fall colors cause us to look up rather than down, and increasingly bare branches reveal homes once hidden behind their foliage. Sidewalk improvements in old Southwest Reno are just about complete and beckon residents to take a stroll and contemplate Reno at an earlier time.

Maintaining our older neighborhoods and individual homes is more important with each passing year, as homes that fall into disrepair can too easily be sacrificed for the next new project. We introduced a "Watchlist" in our Fall FootPrints edition for this very reason.

Meanwhile, I hope to see you at our November program on "Mrs. Mackay and the Bonanza King". Frank Mullen's presentation on "Vintage Fake News" on Neal Cobb's High Noon program is not to be missed and be sure to check out the Sparks Heritage Museum Book Fair. Later in the month you can see a portrayal of Teddy Roosevelt, by veteran Chautauquan, Doug Mishler at the Restless Artists' Theater. Your attendance at these events helps keep our history alive.

Tonopah's Mizpah Hotel is featured as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 13 Haunted Hotels to visit, and your mouth will be watering when you peruse the scrumptious 1935 Thanksgiving menu at Reno's Grand Cafe. There's a lot to savor in this edition of the newsletter!

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving,

Debbie Hinman, Vice President

Historic Reno Preservation Society

paris652@nvbell.net

Heritage turkey

Welcome New Board Member, Pat Cantwell

Pat Cantwell is a Senior Account Executive with KTVN Channel 2, and a longtime supporter of HRPS. He provided logistics support for this year's Walking Tours, and attended most of them as well. Other volunteer activities include the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce and the Reno Philharmonic. Pat is eager to become an advocate for HRPS and help get the word out about our activities. Welcome Pat!

November Program

Veronica Fraser presents Mrs. Mackay and the Bonanza King: A Chautauqua Presentation

Sunday, November 13, 2022, 12:00 - 1:30 PM

Downtown Reno Library, 301 S. Center Street

(Free street parking on Sundays)

Louise Mackay

Veronica Fraser

Born in New York City in 1843, Louise Mackay spoke four languages and became known for her quick wit, generosity and charm, and was a hostess of international fame in Paris and London. But her focus was always on her husband John Mackay, her children and extended family. Louise and John met in 1866 and they were married in Virginia City. John’s physical stamina and knowledge of Nevada’s Comstock Lode, and his wise choices in partners, paid off when they hit the silver bonanza that made the mining district famous.

Veronica Fraser has been active in community theater for more than 30 years in three states. Shortly before the COVID 19 pandemic began, she enrolled in a class at OLLI called, “Be a Chautauquan.” She had just finished reading “The Bonanza King” by Gregory Crouch, and about a hundred years of Nevada history opened for her along with a connection to Louise and John Mackay.

Nevada Historical Society and Washoe County Library present

High Noon with Neal Cobb

Vintage Fake News: Twain, DeQuille, hoaxes and tall tales in Comstock newspapers

by Frank X. Mullen

Thursday, November 17, 2022, 12 Noon via Zoom

In the early days of Virginia City, newspaper columns offered both real news and tall tales. It was often hard to tell the difference. Sometimes readers could see through the hoaxes, but in many cases fictional reports were not only believed but picked up by other publications throughout the nation and the world. Mark Twain and Dan De Quille – along with other journalists in the West -- were the authors of a lot of that fake news. De Quille’s tales included accounts of a man fossilized in silver ore, rocks that moved under their own power and a suit of “solar armor” used for crossing Death Valley.

Some imaginative stories were funny, but others, such as Twain’s famous Empire City Massacre hoax, frightened readers from Carson City to New York. Journalist and author Frank X. Mullen revisits some of those flights of fancy and how they amused – or horrified – Victorian audiences.

Program is free but advance registration is required.

Frank X. Mullen is a Reno-based journalist, author, adjunct professor and historian. He has been a newspaperman for 40 years, including 25 years as an investigative reporter at the Reno Gazette-Journal, and is currently editor of the Reno News & Review.

Sparks Museum Book Fair

Saturday, November 5, 10am - 4pm

Don’t miss the inaugural event of the Sparks Museum Research Center, as we host a book fair with Nevada authors situated throughout the library and the museum. Purchase stories and histories from some of your favorite local authors and get the chance to have them sign your book purchases – great gift ideas for the holidays! Details.

Restless Artists' Theater Presents

Teddy Roosevelt, November 11, 2020

Gene Roddenberry, January 20, 2023

RAT is proud to bring history to vibrant life with some amazing characters.

295 20th St., Sparks, NV, 6:30pm

$10 per person, pay at the door

Sparks Research Library Dedication

The Sparks Heritage Museum officially dedicated its new Research Library on October 22, 2022. Executive Director Christine Johnson kicked off the festivities with an introduction welcoming over 60 attendees and informing them of the momentous significance of this new research center in honoring the original Sparks Library.

On January 1, 1932, the Sparks Library was opened on the upper floor of 814 Victorian Avenue. Designed by renowned architect Frederic J. DeLongchamps and completed in 1931 by Rousch and Belz for less than $20,000, this structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

While the library occupied the upper floor, the Justice Court functioned in the lower portion of the building, with the judge’s chambers situated in the room that now contains the new Research Center.

Immediately following Christine’s opening statements, local author and fervent supporter of the Sparks Heritage Museum Research Center, Patricia Cafferata, did the honor of participating in the Center’s ribbon cutting ceremony, marking the official opening of the space. She then gave a rousing speech advocating for the importance of research centers and libraries and how they have been integral in her own work as a writer and lawyer.

Above: Christine recognizes some of the volunteers who helped put the library together as Patty prepares to give her remarks.

Left: Patty Cafferata cuts the ribbon to officially open the Center.

Above: Julie Machado, Sandy Bitler, and Carole Keith were recognized for their efforts at cataloging hundreds of fiction and non-fiction works.

Right: Mark Twain, as portrayed by McAvoy Layne, participated in the dedication.

The Mizpah and other Haunted Historic Hotels

The highest compliment for a hotelier is that guests never want to leave, but in these historic hotels, some guests never checked out. Be prepared for some chills and thrills when staying the night at one of these haunted hotels....if you dare.

13 Haunted Historic Hotels of America | National Trust for Historic Preservation (savingplaces.org)

Memories

From November 28, 1935, Nevada State Journal

Reno Historical

Frank and Fannie Patrick and their son Lloyd had come to Reno from Nebraska in about 1904. The Patricks became socially prominent and both Frank and Fannie were active in the Democratic Party. Fanny was especially civic-minded, serving as a leader in local civic, political, and social affairs. Frank Patrick ran the ranch and until his death in 1922, he and son Lloyd delivered milk from their dairy to the gambling clubs and businesses on Commercial Row.

The Patrick Ranch House

View this story and more at renohistorical.org.

Patrick Ranch House | Reno Historical

Join HRPS Today!

HRPS is "Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Historic Resources in the Truckee Meadows through Education, Advocacy and Leadership". With nearly 500 members, your membership is a vote and a voice 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.

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