Reno in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Reno Arch
Photographed By Alvis Hendley, March 18, 2016
1. The Reno Arch Marker
Inscription.
The Reno Arch. . This arch was originally erected on Virginia Street at Commercial Row in 1926 to promote an exposition that celebrated the completion of the Lincoln and Victory highways. Electric bulbs spelled our "Reno" and "Nevada's Transcontinental Highways Exposition, June 25 - Aug 1 1927." Following the event a contest was held by the City Council to find a slogan for the arch. In 1929 a Sacramento man won $100 for his entry, "Reno, the biggest little city in the world." By 1934 some citizens felt that the slogan was passé, so it was eliminated and replaced with "Reno" in green neon. The change was not well accepted. In 1935 the slogan returned with redesigned neon lettering. The arch remained there unaltered until 1963 when it was replaced by a new one. The old arch first moved to the original site of the exposition, Idlewild Park and then to Paradise Park. In 1988, due to its badly deteriorated base, officials placed it in storage. , In 1994 filmmakers paid for the restoration and installation or the arch on East Fourth Street for its "supporting role" in the movie Cobb. After the filming, the Reno City Council launched a campaign to find a permanent home. Reconstructed here in 1995 the arch once again proudly welcomes visitors to downtown Reno.
This arch was originally erected on Virginia Street at Commercial Row in 1926 to promote an exposition that celebrated the completion of the Lincoln and Victory highways. Electric bulbs spelled our "Reno" and "Nevada's Transcontinental Highways Exposition, June 25 - Aug 1 1927." Following the event a contest was held by the City Council to find a slogan for the arch. In 1929 a Sacramento man won $100 for his entry, "Reno, the biggest little city in the world." By 1934 some citizens felt that the slogan was passé, so it was eliminated and replaced with "Reno" in green neon. The change was not well accepted. In 1935 the slogan returned with redesigned neon lettering. The arch remained there unaltered until 1963 when it was replaced by a new one. The old arch first moved to the original site of the exposition, Idlewild Park and then to Paradise Park. In 1988, due to its badly deteriorated base, officials placed it in storage.
In 1994 filmmakers paid for the restoration and installation or the arch on East Fourth Street for its "supporting role" in the movie Cobb. After the filming, the Reno City Council launched a campaign to find a permanent home. Reconstructed here in 1995 the arch once again proudly welcomes visitors to downtown Reno.
Erected 2003 by Historical Resources Commission
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 39° 31.54′ N, 119° 48.588′ W. Marker is in Reno, Nevada, in Washoe County. Marker is on Lake Street, on the right when traveling north. The arch spans Lake Street on the south bank of the Truckee River. The marker is mounted on the east pylon of the arch. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Reno NV 89501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker is mounted to the left of this view at the base of the arch.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 411 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on May 4, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. 2. submitted on November 30, 2023, by Flexible Fotography of San Diego, California. 3. submitted on May 4, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.