1950 Map of Reno

About this map

Reno and Sparks anchor the Truckee Meadows in the early 1950s, a period defined by the convergence of the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific railroads. The city's northern expansion is checked by the slopes of Peavine Peak, where remnants of earlier mining activity like the Golden Fleece Mine and the Poeville townsite sit above the burgeoning suburban landscape. Along the Truckee River, smaller settlements such as Verdi, Mogul, and Lawton trace the river's path westward toward the California border. To the north, a large Military Reservation occupies the basin between Freds Mtn and the Petersen Mtn range, while the valley floor shows an intricate system of water management including the Steamboat Canal and Last Chance Ditch. This era captures the transition of the region from a mining and ranching hub into a modern aviation and transportation center, evidenced by the Reno Airport and the smaller Skyline Airfield.