Historical Markers of Washoe County & Reno
Location: Downtown Reno Directions: At the intersection of S. Virginia and Mill Sts. (Located in front of the U.S. Post Office Building)
N 39° 31.489 W 119° 48.735
Date Conquered: 9/23/07 Quick Description: A unique marker remembering Nevada's first free public library. Signed: No -- Historically, this marker was never signed. NOTES: You better have a second pair of eyes! Trying to spot this marker amidst the downtown scene is truly a challenge. To make things worse, #245/247 are not signed. The only way to actually read and view the plaque is to park along Mill Street and use the parking meter. Always pay the $0.20 fee or Reno Police will fine you! Full Description: Exact description as reads ... In 1895, Washoe County District Attorney Frank H. Norcross, later a Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court and a Federal Judge, began a drive to establish Nevada's first free public library in Reno. That year, he persuaded the Nevada Legislature to enact a law establishing Nevada's public libraries. Nevada's first public library building was erected on this site in 1904 with $15,000 donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie on land originally donated to the City of Reno by pioneer Myron C. Lake. It remained in service until 1930, when growth forced its relocation to the site where the Pioneer Theatre Auditorium now stands. The library was sold for $1 and demolished in 1931. In 1966 the library was relocated to a new building at Center and Liberty Streets, three blocks south of this site. Photo taken from across Virginia Street. Time to play, "Can you spot the marker?" #245/247 blend in almost too well with the busy downtown landscape of Reno! Shared real-estate! Both HM 245 and 247 share the same location. This is very rare in Nevada to have two historical markers located at the same spot.
NOTES: You better have a second pair of eyes! Trying to spot this marker amidst the downtown scene is truly a challenge. To make things worse, #245/247 are not signed. The only way to actually read and view the plaque is to park along Mill Street and use the parking meter. Always pay the $0.20 fee or Reno Police will fine you! Full Description: Exact description as reads ... In 1895, Washoe County District Attorney Frank H. Norcross, later a Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court and a Federal Judge, began a drive to establish Nevada's first free public library in Reno. That year, he persuaded the Nevada Legislature to enact a law establishing Nevada's public libraries. Nevada's first public library building was erected on this site in 1904 with $15,000 donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie on land originally donated to the City of Reno by pioneer Myron C. Lake. It remained in service until 1930, when growth forced its relocation to the site where the Pioneer Theatre Auditorium now stands. The library was sold for $1 and demolished in 1931. In 1966 the library was relocated to a new building at Center and Liberty Streets, three blocks south of this site. Photo taken from across Virginia Street. Time to play, "Can you spot the marker?" #245/247 blend in almost too well with the busy downtown landscape of Reno! Shared real-estate! Both HM 245 and 247 share the same location. This is very rare in Nevada to have two historical markers located at the same spot.
Full Description: Exact description as reads ... In 1895, Washoe County District Attorney Frank H. Norcross, later a Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court and a Federal Judge, began a drive to establish Nevada's first free public library in Reno. That year, he persuaded the Nevada Legislature to enact a law establishing Nevada's public libraries. Nevada's first public library building was erected on this site in 1904 with $15,000 donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie on land originally donated to the City of Reno by pioneer Myron C. Lake. It remained in service until 1930, when growth forced its relocation to the site where the Pioneer Theatre Auditorium now stands. The library was sold for $1 and demolished in 1931. In 1966 the library was relocated to a new building at Center and Liberty Streets, three blocks south of this site. Photo taken from across Virginia Street. Time to play, "Can you spot the marker?" #245/247 blend in almost too well with the busy downtown landscape of Reno! Shared real-estate! Both HM 245 and 247 share the same location. This is very rare in Nevada to have two historical markers located at the same spot.
In 1895, Washoe County District Attorney Frank H. Norcross, later a Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court and a Federal Judge, began a drive to establish Nevada's first free public library in Reno. That year, he persuaded the Nevada Legislature to enact a law establishing Nevada's public libraries. Nevada's first public library building was erected on this site in 1904 with $15,000 donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie on land originally donated to the City of Reno by pioneer Myron C. Lake. It remained in service until 1930, when growth forced its relocation to the site where the Pioneer Theatre Auditorium now stands. The library was sold for $1 and demolished in 1931. In 1966 the library was relocated to a new building at Center and Liberty Streets, three blocks south of this site. Photo taken from across Virginia Street. Time to play, "Can you spot the marker?" #245/247 blend in almost too well with the busy downtown landscape of Reno! Shared real-estate! Both HM 245 and 247 share the same location. This is very rare in Nevada to have two historical markers located at the same spot.
Shared real-estate! Both HM 245 and 247 share the same location. This is very rare in Nevada to have two historical markers located at the same spot.
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