RENO
Reno's site was first known as Fullers Crossing, named for Charles William Fuller of Pine Grove, Sierra County, California. Fuller built a hotel and the first bridge, a toll bridge made of logs, across the Truckee River in 1859-1860. In June 1861, he sold the bridge to Myron C. Lake, a veteran of the Mexican War, and the place became known as Lake's Crossing. The Lake name survived as late as 1890 on Lake House, a hotel on the south bank of the Truckee, Fuller's original site and the location of the Riverside Hotel.
On December 13, 1867, the first train arrived in the valley. Lake quickly went to see Crocker, one of the "Big Four." He sold 400 acres to the railroad to pass through his town with the agreement that the depot, be placed by his bridge. By 1868, plans were under way. The city was not officially established until May 9, 1868, when the Central Pacific RR (now Union Pacific) auctioned off 400 lots in a neat townsite, now downtown Reno, on 80 acres deeded over by Lake in return for the RR choosing the location.
Now the town's name had to be changed. It was too long for railroad schedules and too hard to be heard when called out on the train. At the behest of General Irvin McDowell, Charles Crocker, the railroad construction superintendent, named the town for Jesse Lee Reno, an American army officer who had served in the Mexican War and was later killed in Civil War action at South Mountain (MD) Sept. 14, 1862. The Post Office was established May 13, 1868.
Jesse Lee Reno, born June 20, 1823, was a Civil War hero. Brig. Gen. Reno was born in Wheeling, Va. & graduated 8th in his class from West Point military academy. From 1846 to 1848 during the war with Mexico, he earned 2 battlefield promotions for gallant & meritorious service. During the Civil War, Reno earned commendations for brilliant leadership on 4 occasions. He was killed in action at South Mountain, MD, Sept 9 '62.
Another suggested name was "Argenta," for the area's silver, but "Reno" was judged simpler.
City of Reno Offical web site http://www.cityofreno.com National automobile museum http://www.automuseum.org
