October 2025

HRPS News & Updates

Dear HRPS Members and Friends,

A couple days ago, we sent out an electronic survey asking attendees for their feedback on the 2025 Harvest of Homes Tour. This is just one of several ways we are working to improve this annual event. If you were an attendee, I hope you took a moment to complete it. Looking ahead, I am excited to share that we already have a full complement of homes committed for 2026, so SAVE THE DATE - Saturday, September 26, 2026!

New Lifetime Members

We welcome Wayne and Dianne Savage as our newest Lifetime Members, joining a distinguished list of dedicated HRPS supporters.

The Lear

Many of you know the Lear building on Riverside Drive (formerly First Church of Christ, Scientist) was recently in the news when a surprise letter of interest appeared on the City Council agenda. The Council voted not to take action as the letter was unsolicited and didn't follow the Council's own protocol for how such matters should be handled. Instead, the issue is to be taken up at the next Historical Resources Commission meeting, where they will solicit public input. The meeting will begin at 4pm on Thursday, October 9, 2025, and can be attended in person at the McKinley Arts and Culture Center on Riverside Drive or via Zoom. The agenda can be accessed here and should be available by this Friday.

Our entire community has a vested interest in preserving this architecturally and historically significant building, but it has lacked a true champion, someone or some entity that has the vision, the means, and sufficient financial resources to rehabilitate this building back into productive use.

You can read more about the history of the Lear here - Lear Theater | City of Reno - and see a virtual tour of the existing structure here - 501 Riverside Drive. The technology allows you to walk into and look around every room. It's not pretty.

For those who want to understand the nuts and bolts of undertaking a Lear renovation project, read the recently completed Historic Structures Report. Citizen participation is essential if we want a voice in the outcome.

And to make sure you don't miss any news about the Lear or other development related matters, I urge you to subscribe to The Barber Brief, a weekly blog by Alicia Barber.

HRPS Mission & October Program

The HRPS mission is, Dedicated to preserving and promoting historic resources in the Truckee Meadows through education, advocacy, and leadership. It's printed at the top of every issue of FootPrints. One of the ways we fulfill that mission is through our Home Tour.

Another way is through our monthly speaker programs. Jane Sweetland's September presentation on the Friendship Train that took food and supplies to France, and the Merci train which returned gifts and toys to each state, was an eye opener.

Our October program, with curator, Garrett Barmore, is about the History and Architecture of the W.M. Keck Museum, and the Earth Science building at UNR. Garrett is an expert on the Nevada mining industry and always an entertaining speaker! Details below.

Celebrate Nevada Day

The month of October ends with Nevada Day, a time to honor and celebrate Nevada's admission into statehood. For those who may be new to our state, here's a quick primer - Nevada Day - Wikipedia. If you're up for some spooky history, check out two Ghost Walk events in Carson City. See below. Let us commit to learning more and cherishing our local history this month.

Joy Orlich, President

president@historicreno.org

775-544-0686

Donate to HRPS

Lost and Found Department

Did you lose a pair of sunglasses at the Home Tour? Pat Klos ended up with the pair at right. If they are yours, call or text Pat to arrange to get them back. 775-830-6602

Did you find a pair of sunglasses? Janice Howard thinks she lost hers at the Home Tour (not these, we already checked.) If you have any info, please contact Janice at 775-356-3540 or 775-560-3540.

Carson City Ghost Walk Events

Mark Twin Days Tour, Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10:00am - 11:30am

Join the Carson City Ghost Walk for the third annual Mark Twain Days with a tour Saturday morning. This 90-minute tour, led by Madame Curry and her Spirit Wranglers, leaves from Bob McFadden Plaza at 10:00 a.m. Participants will wind along the 1.5-mile walk, discovering mysteries while hearing legendary stories from Victorian Era Carson City. Learn about the lives of saucy writers, brazen entertainers, and cheeky neighbors who shaped a young rough territory in the time of mining, mayhem, and Mark Twain.

Purchase Tickets

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Ghost Walk Tour, Saturday, October 25, 2025, 10:00am - 2:00pm

The daytime is an enjoyable way to experience Carson City’s Victorian Era and diverse history. Hear about spirits of long-ago, haunted and paranormal stories and gossip from the past. This is a spirit led guided walking tour of the downtown district’s west side historic homes and businesses.

The West side of Carson City was settled in the late 1850’s at the beginning of the largest silver rush in history. It was a time of great prosperity, discovery and excitement as Nevada became the “battle born” state in 1864. We will have the opportunity to tour local churches, businesses and residences including The Governor's Mansion property, The Prang House, The Bender Mansion and more.

Check out Our Fall Speaker Programs

Garrett Barmore

Curator, W.M. Keck Museum

UPCOMING

11/09 - Jeff Kintop, "Dayton's Mystic 12: A Nevada History Mystery"

"History and Architecture of the W.M. Keck Museum"

Sunday, October 12, 2025, Noon

Downtown Reno Library, 301 S. Center Street

Admission is free and open to the public, but the Library asks everyone to register in advance to ensure there is enough space.

The Mackay School of Mines building has supported earth science education and research for 117 years. This talk will discuss the history of the building, the Mackay School of Earth Science and Engineering, and the W. M. Keck Museum. Over 150 years of history will be discussed, including the dawn of industrial mining in Nevada, early mining education at the then Nevada State University, the rise of the Mackay School of Mines, and the future of one of the grand dame earth science programs in the United States.

NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENTS

Join NHS

We encourage you to join NHS. Your membership gets you free admission to all State Museums!

Individual - $45

Senior/Student - $25

Nevada History on the Go!

(All events are free and open to the public)

Saturday, October 4, 1:00pm

The Civic Life of Verna Stumpf Paterson: Democracy and Public Service in Mid-Century Reno

Wednesday, October 8, 5:30pm

Writer's Wednesday - Rebels and Outliers: Real Stories of the American West

Thursday, October 16, Noon

High Noon with Neal Cobb - Monumental Lies - Early Nevada Folklore of the Wild West

Detailed Schedule of all Events

Phillips Stone House

For many locals, the Stone House Cafe is the premier place for breakfast, lunch, or a cozy dinner.

When it was built in 1918, it was way outside the city limits, primarily ranching land. Dr. Phillips began acquiring property at Plumb and Arlington, eventually building his house out of the rounded river rock stone on his property, hence the name, Stone House.

Stone House Cafe

Source: Stone House Cafe

Phillips Stone House - The river rock house, now a restaurant, was built outside of Reno city limits around 1918. | Reno Historical

Join HRPS Today!

HRPS is "Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Historic Resources in the Truckee Meadows through Education, Advocacy and Leadership". With over 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 local history? If so, forward a copy of this newsletter and encourage them to join HRPS! Or have them go to our website - Historic Reno Preservation Society - and click on the "Join Us" tab at the top of the page.

A single membership is just $25/year ($45 for a family membership), and you can now join and pay online.

Benefits of Membership