Reno in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Junction House
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, March 17, 2016
1. Junction House Marker
Here was located one of the busiest crossroads of pioneer Nevada, converging point for many major toll roads of the area. The earliest emigrants from the east crossed through Truckee Meadows at this point and by 1853 the intersection was known as Junction House, first permanent settlement in this valley and a stopping place for thousands.
Junction House, later called Andersons, was a station for such toll roads of the 1860's as the turnpike to Washoe City, the Myron Lake road to Oregon, the Geiger roads to Virginia City and the important Henness Pass route to California. Governor Sparks bought the property in the late 1890's and more recently it belonged to cattleman William Moffat.
Erected 1964 by State of Nevada Centennial Committee. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Henness Pass series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 39° 29.34′ N, 119° 47.69′ W. Marker is in Reno, Nevada, in Washoe County. It is at the intersection of South Virginia Street and East Peckham Lane, on the right when traveling north on South Virginia Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3800 South Virginia Street, Reno NV 89502, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans of Foreign Wars Historical Building (approx. Ό mile away); Emigrant Trail--Truckee River Route (approx. Ό mile away); Moana Springs (approx. 0.3 miles away); Historical Route - Emigrant Trail (approx. 1.1 miles away); Site of Reno Air Mail Field (approx. 1.1 miles away); Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center (approx. 1.9 miles away); Virginia & Truckee Railroad Right of Way (approx. 2 miles away); Emigrant-Donner Camp (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reno.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Virginia & Truckee Railroad Right of Way (was approx. 2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. The official Junction House marker is located on South Virginia Street about 300 feet north of East Peckham Lane near the main entrance to the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.
The neighborhood, consisting of large buildings located in gigantic parking lots, does not inspire strolling, making the marker easy to overlook, even if you are visiting the casino or waiting for a bus across South Virginia Street from the marker.
A second marker, with the same wording, is located just inside the
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, March 17, 2016
2. Junction House Marker
South Virginia Street near the main entrance to the Atlantis Casino.
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, March 17, 2016
3. Junction House Marker
A second Junction House marker is located just inside the main entrance of the Atlantis Casino. The wording is the same as that on the primary marker.
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, March 17, 2016
4. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Junction House was located here.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 1,184 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 7, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
