Anyone strolling along the Truckee River through Riverside can’t help but look up and admire the “mansions on the bluff” as the Historic Reno Preservation Society has named them on their popular historical walk.
As in most cities with an urban river (minus LA !) waterfront, or water overlook, houses have always been sought after. Reno, a city that at times seems to be destroying much of its architectural heritage, is lucky to have managed to keep this beautiful historical district mainly intact.
First developed by Senator Francis Newlands at the turn of the 19th century, this area, part of Old Southwest, is also known by his name, Newlands Heights.
Senator Newlands, while a Nevada representative, helped develop the Bureau of Reclamation, which led to the irrigation and dams that allowed dry Northern Nevada to be developed for colonizing expansion. He also wrote the resolution which annexed Hawaii, a sovereign nation, to the United States, without a referendum of their people. He was an avowed white supremacist who tried to repeal the Fourteenth Amendment. His name still remains on a marker in Newlands Park on California Ave.
On the northern side of the river, looked down on by the bluff, a growing number of our unhoused neighbors make their homes until they are moved on. (None of these encampments photographed are still in use).
Also, at the end of Riverside past Booth Ave. is an abandoned craftsman style house and huge parking area behind a chain link fence. It seems to be a perfect area for a neighborhood public garden which would bring more needed green to an area next to the river and provide a good area to manage runoff from rain. The property is owned by the city, who recently, at the July 20 City Council meeting, considered the potential disposition of this prime development -possible property.
For more information on Newlands Heights Historic District, and other historical areas of Reno (some sadly destroyed now) go to RenoHistorical.org or try their great phone app RenoHistorical.