Who was Reno Nevada named after? The town of Reno, Nevada, was originally named after Virginia Union officer Gen. Jesse Lee Reno. Gen. Reno was killed during the American Civil War at the Battle of South Mountain in Maryland.
Some More Reno History
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County in western Nevada, United States. With a population of over 225,000 people, it is one of the largest cities in Nevada. However, it is known as “The Biggest Little City in the World” because it has all the amenities of a large city but a small-town feel. The community of Reno is situated on the Truckee River, between the California border and the Sierra Nevada foothills. The location is renowned for its spectacular and diverse terrain.
Sparks, a city adjacent to Reno, was originally settled by C.W. Fuller in 1860. Fuller built a log toll bridge across the river, which helped establish the town as a key crossing point. M.C. Lake purchased the land in 1863 and renamed Lake’s Crossing after himself. When the Central Pacific Railroad arrived in 1868, a property auction was organized to sell off plots of land near the railroad. Houses were built immediately afterward, as people were eager to move closer to the new transportation hub.
When did Nevada become the 36th state?
Reno was mostly a distribution point before 1900. However, after some well-known people were given divorced or swiftly married under liberal state rules, the city gradually became well-known as a popular divorce and marriage center. Although it was not its primary function, Reno became increasingly associated with these two legal processes because of its reputation for being quick and lenient.
Reno, Nevada, is a popular year-round vacation destination near the Sierra Nevada range and Lake Tahoe. A part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is close, and hunting, skiing, and fishing are all available activities in the area. Since gambling was legalized in Nevada in 1931, Reno has become a destination for travelers seeking to gamble at its many casinos.
There are a few small-scale manufacturing firms located in the Reno area. However, the city is primarily known as a warehousing and distribution hub due to Nevada’s Free Port Law. This law allows businesses to keep and assemble items tax-free while in transit between states.
The University of Nevada was established in 1874 and was originally located in Elko. In 1885, the university was relocated to Reno, and classes began two years later in 1887. The university’s W.M. Keck Museum contains exhibits about the area’s mining heritage, which is an important part of the state’s history.
The Nevada Historical Society is headquartered in Reno. According to the 2010 census, the population of Reno was 225,221. The Reno-Sparks Metro Area had a population of 425,417 at that time. In 2020, the population of Reno was 264,165. The current population of the Reno Metro Area is 490,596.
How Reno, Nevada, Got its Name
Reno, Nevada, was named after Gen Jesse Lee Reno, born in Virginia in 1823. The name “Reno” anglicizes the French name “Reynaud.” Reno’s French ancestors modified the name after arriving in America. As a result, the name of Nevada’s second-largest city contains French origins.
Charles Crocker (1822-1888), the American railroad executive and creator of the Central Pacific Railroad, named the Truckee River Gold Rush community after Reno in 1868. Crocker’s companion was Union Gen Jesse Reno, who was killed during the Civil War. The name of the community was a tribute to their fallen friend.
This year marks the 160th anniversary of Gen Jesse Reno’s death. A celebrated infantry commander, Reno died on September 14, 1862, during the battle of Fox’s Gap in Maryland. His death was a great loss to the Union army, and his name is now forever enshrined in military history. Although he never made it to the city of Reno, he came close during the Utah War. The Utah War is also commonly referred to as the Mormon War. This war took place in 1857, which was 7 years before Nevada became an official state.
Even back then, fighting was not left to chance: Reno was a Prof of Mathematics at West Point and designed artillery. He was known for his quick mind, and strategic thinking attributes that served him well on the battlefield. Reno’s name is inextricably linked with its sister city, Sparks, and the nearby world-famous Lake Tahoe. Reno residents’ city is the gateway to all the recreation and beauty that Lake Tahoe offers. Reno is known for its airport, which is called Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Every year, a professional golf event is held at the Montrêux Golf & Country Club south of Reno called the Reno-Tahoe Open.
