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. 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 and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway series list. 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. It 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.

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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mizpah Hotel (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frederick Joseph DeLongechamps (about 700 feet away); Site of Nevada’s First Public Library (about 800 feet away); Lake's Crossing (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ginsburg Jewelry Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Virginia Street Bridges (approx. 0.2 miles away); Washoe County World War II Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Reno (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reno.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Reno at the Crossroads (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Flexible Fotography, May 19, 2012

2. The Reno Arch Marker

second plaque

The Reno Arch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, March 18, 2016

3. The Reno Arch

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 783 times since then and 38 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.