MidTown in Reno in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Virginia & Truckee Railroad Right of Way
Photographed by Marc Belanger, January 4, 2018
1. Virginia & Truckee Railroad Right of Way Marker
The Virginia & Truckee Railroad was built between 1868 and 1872 to connect the milling communities of the Cornstock to the Central Pacific Railroad that ran through Reno.
The line first connected Virginia City to Carson City in 1869, but work to run the railroad north moved quickly. Soon after Chinese laborers graded this section during the summer of 1871, track gangs commenced laying rail south, reaching Steamboat Springs by late October. Nine months later, Superintendent Henry M. Yerington drove the last spike a mile west of Carson City on August 24, 1872, connecting Virginia City with Reno by rail. Although regularly scheduled passenger service didn't begin until October 1, the first through train traversed the 52 mile route on September 1, 1872 the last passed by here on May 31, 1950.
Erected by State Historic Preservation Office; City of Reno. (Marker Number 248.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is May 31, 1950.
Location. 39° 31.01′ N, 119° 48.419′ W. Marker is in Reno, Nevada, in Washoe County.
this page online
Regionally, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center (approx. 0.4 miles away); Major General Jesse Lee Reno (approx. half a mile away); Spanish-American War Memorial 1898-1899 (approx. half a mile away); Washoe County World War II Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Reno (approx. 0.6 miles away); Site of Nevadas First Public Library (approx. 0.6 miles away); Frederick Joseph DeLongechamps (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lake Mansion (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reno.
Other markers no longer nearby. Virginia & Truckee Railroad Right of Way (has been replaced with this marker); "People thought I was crazy." (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker which had a different inscription.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2024, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. This page has been viewed 259 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on July 2, 2026, by Ysterdad of Concord, California. Photo 1. submitted on March 26, 2023, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?
