Junction House
Location: Reno
Directions: Along S. Virginia Street, directly in front of the Atlantis Casino
N 39° 29.329 W 119° 47.685
Location: 1
Visibility: 3
Accessibility: 5
Marker type: Stone
Date Conquered: 6/10/07
Nearest intersection: Peckham Lane
Quick Description: A marker noting a busy crossroads used by Comstock wagon routes.
Signed: No -- According to NDOT, this marker used to be signed! The sign was removed shortly after the building of the Atlantis.
NOTES: Like many major casinos in Nevada, security watches this place like a hawk. Hence, the marker viewing challenge begins. Start by parking across the street in the regular parking area for Atlantis and use either the crosswalk or the casino skybridge over Virginia Street. As tempting as it is, don't think for even a minute of parking directly behind the marker. Unfortunately, all parking behind the marker is reserved for Diamond member players. The risk of getting fined about $500 or a free towing to the junkyard simply isn't worth it!
The beautiful base for this marker is in excellent condition. I wish I could say the same for the Stone face. Original Stone markers are becoming extremely rare; to find a "Stone" in Reno is a miracle. Many kudos to the Atlantis Casino for preserving this marker.
Full Description:
Exact description as reads ...
The extreme fading of this marker determines old age and lack of care throughout its life.
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.
Thousands of people pass by the Atlantis everyday without ever knowing that this marker is here. I'll admit I used to be one of those people. #4 lacks any signage and its lettering weathers worse every year. Something needs to be done soon for this rare Stone beauty.
STOP! ... See this landmark! Photo taken from across Virginia Street.
