To experience the rich history of Reno, Nevada, here are some of the best ways:
- Visit the Nevada Historical Society: As the state’s oldest museum, founded in 1904, it offers a comprehensive look at Nevada’s heritage, from prehistoric times to the modern growth of Reno and Las Vegas. The Janice Pine Reno History Gallery is particularly focused on Reno’s development.
- Explore the National Automobile Museum: This museum showcases over 200 vintage and antique cars, along with educational exhibits about the automobile industry. It’s a must-visit for car enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
- Take a Historic Tour: Consider booking a historical tour like the “Historic Donner Party, Immigrant Trail and Lake Tahoe Photo Tour” from Reno, which provides insights into the region’s past.
- Engage with Local Exhibits: The Reno History Gallery at the Nevada Historical Society highlights five themes about how Reno became known as “The Biggest Little City in the World,” including its early days, the impact of transportation, and its reputation as a 20th-century sin city.
- Enjoy Temporary Exhibitions: The Changing Hallway Gallery and Event Space at the Nevada Historical Society present a series of temporary and traveling exhibitions dealing with Nevada and the West.
These are just a few options to get you started on your journey through Reno’s history. Enjoy your exploration!
Donner Party
The Donner Party, also known as the Donner-Reed Party, was a group of American pioneers who set out for California in a wagon train in the spring of 1846. The journey turned tragic when they were delayed by a series of mishaps and became snowbound in the Sierra Nevada mountain range during the winter of 1846-1847.
Here’s a brief overview of their story:
- Departure: The party left Springfield, Illinois, and followed the regular California Trail westward to Fort Bridger, Wyoming.
- Hastings Cutoff: They decided to take a new route called the Hastings Cutoff, which was supposed to be a shortcut to California. This decision proved disastrous as the route was untested and difficult.
- Difficulties: The group encountered rough terrain and delays, which led to them being trapped by heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
- Survival: Faced with starvation and extreme conditions, some members of the party resorted to cannibalism, eating the bodies of those who had died to survive.
- Rescue: Rescuers from California attempted to reach the migrants, but the first relief party did not arrive until February 1847, almost four months after the party became trapped.
- Aftermath: Of the original 87 members of the party, only 48 survived. The ordeal of the Donner Party has become one of the most infamous tragedies in the history of westward migration in the United States.
The story of the Donner Party is a sobering reminder of the hardships faced by pioneers during the westward expansion and the extreme lengths to which they sometimes had to go to survive. It also underscores the dangers of taking unproven shortcuts and the importance of preparation and knowledge when undertaking such a perilous journey.
