The arch over the city of Reno has been there since 1926 touting "Reno The Biggest Little City in the World". Several newer ones have been installed with the latest retrofitted in 2009, with lights. The original was actually put there to commemorate the completion of the Lincoln and Victory Highways. None the less, every one's at least heard of it, if not seen it. Bright lights, casinos,
action, right? That's what Reno's all about, right? Well...it's more than that, we found.
We actually never even
went into a casino! The first day in town, we visited the
Wilbur D May Arboretum & Museum! I had read up a little on it and found that this little known man - the
youngest son of the founder of the May Company stores, had settled in Reno back in 1936. He was quite a world traveler who liked to collect art & objects, a great hunter who showcased his successes, rancher, pilot, artist, philanthropist. He was a quiet man who didn't draw a lot of attention to himself, so most of us have never heard of him or his deeds before. He left behind 12 acres to be turned into this Arboretum and Botanical Garden and part of the 2,600-acre Double Diamond Ranch as the Museum showcasing his collections and big game trophies. Both are amazing to wander through.
I particularly enjoyed the gardens as they reminded me so much of the natural beauty of my own grandfather's land in the eastern Sierra Mountains. The same kind of landscape, smells and sounds; it brought back fond memories for me.
When we entered the Ranch House Museum it was fascinating to see the kinds of things that wealthy people could bring back in the 1930's. Those were the days of "no rules or regulations", if you could afford it, you could have it! Thank goodness they have put them into museums now, or the younger generations wouldn't even know what some of these things even were now, they are all but completely gone! And I'm not even referring to the "big game hunting"! Oh well, different times... Generations from now they will talk about us and our poor choices too. Live and learn...slowly.
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| India Collection |
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| Snuff Bottles Showcase |
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| Big Game Room |
The other fun thing Reno has, is Harrah's
National Automobile Museum! Another wealthy man's collection! A great, fun collection of over 200+ cars dating back to the early 1890's. They have it set up in various street scenes, garages, even a blacksmith shop! Some are grouped together, like the children's peddle cars (really cute!). They even have 1907 "The Thomas Flyer" Winner of the 1908 NY-Paris Race! They also have one room dedicated to race cars. Very cool set up, I must say.
Bill Harrah's collection at one time was over 1400. Story has it that Bill Harrah was addicted to gambling, but he overcame that bout. Maybe collecting old cars was his curative. He would only collect cars that only one was built or only one remained in existence, the first & last of a series, and cars that had notable engineering features, history or owners. Harrah sold his remaining collection and hotel to the City of Reno and the Holiday Inn in 1980. He died in 1978, but his legacy will live on.
Reno has the Truckee River running right smack dab through the middle of it, and a quaint little "
River Walk" built to walk along side it to enjoy it. Jack and I did just that on Memorial Day and watched families splash and play in the river. Big kids, little ones, dogs and parents were laughing and playing, sunning and picnicking all along the river, enjoying a beautiful holiday. We found a lovely restaurant right at the river's edge for a delightful lunch and spent some time ourselves listening to the sounds of the water and the birds as the sun slowly drifted down. Great way to end the weekend.
...on the road in Nevada, Marie
If you wish to view the rest of the photos from this trip, you can at my
Flickr account at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/
These were not just any types of cars. There was a method to his collecting.
His collection was opened to the public in February 1962 “in Sparks,
Nevada, with 325 cars…. Bill Harrah collected cars of which only one was
built or only one remained in existence, the first and last of a
series, and cars that had notable engineering features, history, or
owners,” says the magazine. In less than 3-1/2 years, 250,000 people
visited the collection.
- See more at: http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/editors-picks/bill-harrahs-legacy-in-pictures#sthash.KU1WSLzk.dpuf
These were not just any types of cars. There was a method to his collecting.
His collection was opened to the public in February 1962 “in Sparks,
Nevada, with 325 cars…. Bill Harrah collected cars of which only one was
built or only one remained in existence, the first and last of a
series, and cars that had notable engineering features, history, or
owners,” says the magazine. In less than 3-1/2 years, 250,000 people
visited the collection.
- See more at: http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/editors-picks/bill-harrahs-legacy-in-pictures#sthash.KU1WSLzk.dpuf
These were not just any types of cars. There was a method to his collecting.
His collection was opened to the public in February 1962 “in Sparks,
Nevada, with 325 cars…. Bill Harrah collected cars of which only one was
built or only one remained in existence, the first and last of a
series, and cars that had notable engineering features, history, or
owners,” says the magazine. In less than 3-1/2 years, 250,000 people
visited the collection.
- See more at: http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/editors-picks/bill-harrahs-legacy-in-pictures#sthash.KU1WSLzk.dpuf
These were not just any types of cars. There was a method to his collecting.
His collection was opened to the public in February 1962 “in Sparks,
Nevada, with 325 cars…. Bill Harrah collected cars of which only one was
built or only one remained in existence, the first and last of a
series, and cars that had notable engineering features, history, or
owners,” says the magazine. In less than 3-1/2 years, 250,000 people
visited the collection.
- See more at: http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/editors-picks/bill-harrahs-legacy-in-pictures#sthash.KU1WSLzk.dpuf
Harrah
was addicted to gambling, but overcame that bout. Maybe collecting old
cars was a curative - See more at:
http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/editors-picks/bill-harrahs-legacy-in-pictures#sthash.KU1WSLzk.dpuf
Harrah
was addicted to gambling, but overcame that bout. Maybe collecting old
cars was a curative - See more at:
http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/editors-picks/bill-harrahs-legacy-in-pictures#sthash.KU1WSLzk.dpuf
Harrah
was addicted to gambling, but overcame that bout. Maybe collecting old
cars was a curative - See more at:
http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/editors-picks/bill-harrahs-legacy-in-pictures#sthash.KU1WSLzk.dpuf
