1951 Map of Reno

About this map

Reno and Sparks sit at the center of this mid-century Western landscape, where the Truckee River and the Southern Pacific railroad corridor dictate the path of urban development. Beyond the city grid, the map records a transition from industrial activity to high-desert wilderness, featuring the Golden Fleece Mine and several prospects scattered across the slopes of Peavine Peak. The era's transportation and utility infrastructure is well-defined, from the Orr Ditch and Steamboat Canal providing vital water management to the presence of Skyline Airfield and the Reno Airport. Small, early settlements like Glendale, Lawton, and the historical Poeville (Site) are captured alongside institutional landmarks such as the State Hospital and County Hospital. North of the city, the topography opens into Lemmon Valley and a large Military Reservation, illustrating the expansive land use characteristic of post-war Nevada.