Many businesses arose along the route to take advantage of the highway traffic. When the freeway, current Interstate 80, was built, I believe in the early 1970s, these businesses were bypassed. Many have disappeared all together, the remnants of some remain, others struggle to stay in business, and a few flourish.
This is my journey down the old highway route, from west to east. I haven't had the chance to do much research on the subjects yet, and my photographs are for the present heavily sign-oriented. I hope to get a wider variety of photos next spring when I next plan to visit Reno.
Lincoln Highway Bridge Rails
When I went to Reno in 2003, there must have been some sort of sign indicating there was a site of historic interest that led me to pull off of Interstate 80 just west of Reno and photograph these old bridge rails from the Lincoln Highway. I found them in 2009 only because I remembered to look for them--the turn off on east-bound I-80 is only marked as "TRUCK PARKING."
A sign there indicates that the rails were originally located .9 miles to the east, where they were installed in 1914 by contractor A.F. Neidt.
Mineral Inn Spa & Resort
Shortly after the bridge rails headed east on I-80, there is a turn off for West 4th St.--that is the old U.S. 40 route. Immediately upon exiting you are faced with the sprawling remains of an old resort, now fenced off with no trespassing signs. I found a way to get in, but respected the signs. But if you are curious what the grounds look like, here are some photos from somebody else.
The route into downtown Reno from here is quite scenic, following the Truckee River, which was lined with trees in full fall foliage when I made the trip in October. On the outskirts of town you hit what remains of the old motel row.
Silver Spur Motel
It didn't appear that there is a motel operating there, and I could not find a listing for the Silver Spur.
4201 W. 4th
Washoe Steakhouse
Looked like a very nice restaurant.
2255 W. 4th St.
Tombstone Territory
The name of this motel derives from its proximity to a cemetery.
2091 W. 4th St.
Sunset Motel
1801 W. 4th St.
El Tavern Motel
1791 W. 4th St.
Silver State Lodge
There is no motel to go with the sign anymore, but here is a description of the place from an old postcard:
Reno' Finest Motor Court
* Steam Heated Rustic Cottages
*Complete Electric Kitchens
*Free Steam Heated Garages
*Six Acres Beautifully Landscaped
R.J Reynolds, Owner - W.D. Crawford, Mgr.
790 W. 4th St.
Gold 'N' Silver Inn Restaurant
In business since 1956. I've eaten there twice now. The eggs Castroville--eggs Benedict with artichoke hearts in place of Canadian bacon, were particularly good, but I didn't get a photo of that. You'll have to settle for a photo of meatloaf.
720 W. 4th
Donner Inn
700 W. 4th St.
Chapel of the Bells
525 W. 4th St.
Crest Inn
Not much of a sign, but the design of the building is a nice example of Googie.
411 W. 4th
Rancho Sierra Motel
280 W. 4th St.
Lido Inn
260 W. 4th St.
In Town Motel
215 W. 4th St.
Bonanza Inn
200 W. 4th
Mardis Gras Motor Lodge
After this we pass through the heart of downtown Reno, N. Sierra, N. Virginia, and N. Center. Virginia Street is the old U.S. Route 395 route, pre-freeway, and is still Business 395. Along it the largest downtown casinos are located, particularly Circus Circus, The Silver Legacy, and El Dorado, which all flow into one another at the 2nd floor level, bridging the streets below and making one enormous indoor casino, restaurant, and bar space.
301 E. 4th St.
Louis Basque Corner
325 E. 4th St.
Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad Station
400 E. 4th St.
Morris Hotel
424 E. 4th St.
Abby's Highway 40
701 E. 4th St.
Flanigan Square
Built in 1902.
777 E. 4th St.
Rancho 777
1011 E. 4th St.
Lucky Motel
1044 E. 4th St.
Alturas Bar & Nightclub
1113 E. 4th St.
Reno 8 Motel
1200 E. 4th St.
Sutro Motel
1233 E. 4th St.
Hi Ho Motor Lodge
301 Montello St.
Ernie's/Reno Salvage Co.
On the south side of the 1300 block on E. 4th St., just approaching Montello, there are a couple of beautiful art deco structures behind chained link fencing. Both the names Ernie's and Reno Auto Salvage can be seen.
1400 E. 4th St.
Ponderosa Lodge
1425 E. 4th St.
Desert Sunset Motel
1650 E. 4th St.
Tahoe Motel
1750 E. 4th St.
Hi-Way 40 Motel
1752 E. 4th St.
Farris Motel
One of the buildings for this motel has a really interesting rounded, staggered corner, but I haven't gotten a photograph of it yet.
1755 E. 4th St.
Sandman Motel
If I had to choose a favorite sign in Reno, this would be it.
1756 E. 4th St.
Everybody's Inn Motel
2255 E. 4th St.
Gold Coin Motel
I'm a little confused by this place, as the coin they chose to make golden is a silver dollar.
2501 E. 4th St.
Casale's Halfway Club
2525 E. 4th St.
Restwell Court
On February 18, 1979, three units were destroyed by fire at the Restwell Court Motel. It probably didn't last much longer than that and there is no motel building there today.
Then we cross over into Sparks.
2644 Prater Way
Coney Island Bar
Opened in 1935, and named after an amusement park that used to stand across the street.
Prater Way & Victorian Ave. split.
2406 Prater Way
Pony Express Lodge
2140 Prater Way
Copenhagen Bar
2002 Victorian Ave.
Elbow Room Bar
19th & Prater Way
Ideal Shopping Center
1861 Victorian Ave
Craig Motel
1828 Victorian Ave.
Tarry Motel
1800 Victorian Ave.
Safari Motel
1746 Victorian Ave.
Playhouse Lounge
3 comments:
These are great shots...
Thanks for taking the time to document these and then post them for us.
And I agree, exploring the older, former main-drag areas and hunting for signs is an extremely fun hobby; it's almost like owning a time machine.
Take care and happy travels!
Hello--I love these! I have been doing a similar project for a few years--photographing 4th Street buildings, esp. E. 4th Street, and also Reno motel signs. Putting them all in order along Hwy 40 is a great idea; thanks for the post!
A lot of these motels are no longer there, some torn down in the past few months (writing this in June 2019), including the In-Town, the Mid-Town and the Mardi Gras, both of those last ones with VERY cool signage... The Desert Sunset is closed and boarded up; as is the Chapel Bells wedding chapel--soon to be demolished. Sad to see them go, no doubt to be replaced by some new casino or condo/apt development with little historical or architectural interest. Sigh. It's great to have the old places and signs documented, such an important and intriguing part of Reno history that many know nothing about and that is quickly disappearing from the world. One nice motel/sign that I didn't see in your list is the Rancho 777, on E. 4th near the Lucky, etc.
One last point... Have you ever read "The Motel Life" by Willy Vlautin? A sad and poignant tale of life on the fringes in Reno; the characters (brothers) stay/live in many of the motels pictured in your signs, and it's interesting to read about them.
Thanks again!
Alison H.
Reno, NV
It’s a shame how the roadway between West 4th between Keystone Ave and Stoker westbound is in disrepair and neglected. Why doesn’t The city or state respect history. Real bummer.
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