Reno in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Mizpah Hotel
Listed in the National Register of Historical Places, it served the community well for eighty four years.
Destroyed by fire on October 31, 2006
In remembrance of those who perished
Alford Edward Yates, Gregory Jack Wiltse, Kevin M. Sutherin, Ernest James Duarte, William John Serrao, Paul D. Smith, Unknown Victim, Christopher James Covert, Jeremy Lee Wren, Nadine Inge Nicodemus, Diana Barbara Pochini, Philip James Bridges
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 31.656′ N, 119° 48.634′ W. Marker was in Reno, Nevada, in Washoe County. Marker was at the intersection of Lake Street and East 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north on Lake Street. Located in a parking lot at the northeast corner. It has been taken out due to major construction ay-t the site. We found the base in a pile of rubble missing the plaque. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Reno NV 89501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The Reno Depots (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Reno at the Crossroads (about 700 feet away); The Reno Arch (about 700 feet away); Jacob Davis's Tailor Shop (approx. 0.2 miles away); Votes for Women (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ginsburg Jewelry Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Sister Act" (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Virginia Street Bridges (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reno.
Regarding Mizpah Hotel. In 2006, the Mizpah Hotel was a residential hotel. On the night of October 31, a tenant placed a mattress against one of the doors and set it on fire.
The hotel was destroyed. Twelve people died.
A tenant pleaded guilty to twelve counts of first degree murder and one count of arson. She testified that she had been drinking and taking drugs that night and didn't even remember the fire.
The hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1984 as the Pincolini Hotel, the name of the hotel opened when it opened in 1922.
The following is excerpted from the NRHP nomination.
The Pincolini (Mizpah Hotel) was built in three stages. The original five-bay structure was built in 1922. Major additions were added in 1925 and 1930 resulting in a three-story, ten-bay, brick commercial block with retail space on the ground floor and a hotel above. Before it was destroyed by fire in 2006, it was a well-preserved example of an early 20th century residential hotel, an architectural type which was once common to downtown Reno.
The Pincolini Hotel was significant for its historical association with Reno's Little Italy, a district which served as the center for Italian commercial and community activity in Reno. Little Italy was noted for its commercial diversity which included grocery stores, liquor stores, insurance agencies, a travel agency and hotels.
The Pincolini family, immigrated to Nevada from Parma, Italy, between 1896 and 1905.
Joseph Pincolini, the first family member to settle in the Reno area, purchased the San Rafael Ranch. The Pincolini family acquired substantial agricultural acreage in northern Nevada and were among the first in northern Nevada to employ mechanized farming methods which allowed the Pincolinis to realize substantial profits from farming.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 615 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on April 11, 2022, by Mary K Doherty of Reno, Nevada. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.