Riverwalk District in Reno in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Jacob Davis's Tailor Shop

Photographed by Flexible Fotography

1. Jacob Davis's Tailor Shop Marker

Inscription. This plaque marks the location of Jacob Davis's tailor shop where, in 1871, the riveted work pants we now call blue jeans were invented. Jacob Davis made heavy-duty work pants out of sturdy cotton duck fabric he obtained from the San Francisco wholesale firm of Levi Strauss & Co. To strengthen his pants, Davis hit on the idea of putting copper rivets at the stress points. Needing a business partner, Davis approached Levi Strauss. On May 20, 1873, the two businessmen received Patent #139,121. They soon began to manufacture copper-riveted work pants out of blue denim, and the American fashion icon Levi's Jeans was born.

Erected 2006 by Historical Resources Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is May 20, 1873.

Location. 39° 31.635′ N, 119° 48.808′ W. Marker is in Reno, Nevada, in Washoe County. It is in the Riverwalk District. It is on North Virginia Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 N Virginia Street, Reno NV 89501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Sierra Nevada

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Votes for Women (within shouting distance of this marker); "Sister Act" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ginsburg Jewelry Company (about 600 feet away); The Virginia Street Bridges (about 700 feet away); Salvation Army (about 700 feet away); Mizpah Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Reno Depots (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lake's Crossing (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reno.

More about this marker. The marker is (?) mounted to a stand close to the curb in front of 211 North Virginia Street.

Also see . . . Jacob Davis: 6 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know… (Levi Strauss & Co.). Full title: Jacob Davis: 6 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About the Inventor of the Blue Jean

View of Marker looking South on Virginia St image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ysterdad, July 6, 2026

2. View of Marker looking South on Virginia St

Marker is at center of photo

- short article by Tracey Panek, company historian. (Submitted on December 10, 2023.)

View of Marker from SE corner of Virginia St and Second St image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ysterdad, July 6, 2026

3. View of Marker from SE corner of Virginia St and Second St

Marker is at center of photo

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2023, by Flexible Fotography of San Diego, California. This page has been viewed 1,164 times since then and 136 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 30, 2023, by Flexible Fotography of San Diego, California. 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2026, by Ysterdad of Concord, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.