Not much remains of the 19th century town of Glendale. Once one of the Truckee Meadows most vibrant communities, Glendale has nearly faded away.
Glendale traces its beginning to 1857, when a trading post was erected to serve emigrants crossing Nevada to reach California. In 1860, a bridge was built over the Truckee River at Glendale and a small settlement formed.
By the late 1860s, Glendale had a couple of stores, a blacksmith shop, several saloons, a small hotel, and a school.
In 1868, Glendale residents thought that the Central Pacific Railroad might locate its main facilities in their hamlet. Their hopes were dashed, however, when the railroad's surveyors showed up immediately after the Truckee had overflowed its banks and found water inside many of the community's buildings.
Instead, the railroad chose to establish the town of Reno as the site of its operations and by 1869 many of Glendale's businesses relocated to the newer community.
The two best preserved survivors of the town, which was located near the intersection of McCarran Boulevard and South Stanford Avenue in Sparks, are an old barn still standing on the town site (an historical marker near the barn notes the town's location) and the Glendale School.
The latter was built in 1864 in Glendale. In the 1970s, the building was moved to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center site in South Reno. A few years ago, however, it was moved to the Victorian Square in Sparks, where it stands today.
The school building is not only the oldest in the state, but is said to have the distinction of having been used as a school longer than any other in Nevada (until 1958). Its alumni include U.S. Senator Pat McCarran, one of the state's most powerful politicians in the mid-20th century.
The school, which is open for tours (check with the Sparks Heritage Museum for times), is part of the Sparks Heritage Museum and Bicentennial Park complex at the east end of Victorian Square. The museum and park celebrate Sparks' rich railroad history.
Adjacent to the Glendale School is Locomotive No. 8, built in 1907 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. The ten-wheeler was one of the last steam engines to operate on the Southern Pacific line and was retired in 1954.
Attached to the engine are two historic Southern Pacific train cars, including a 1911 Pullman Car, said to have been used in 1948 by President Harry Truman on the successful whistle-stop campaign that helped get him reelected.
The park also includes the original Sparks depot, now a visitors center, which blends nicely with downtown Sparks' Victorian Square theme.
The city has also adopted other Victorian-style touches, including a large outdoor gazebo and partially-covered theater, street lamp fixtures, kiosks, fences and benches.
The city of Sparks was established in 1905, following relocation of the Southern Pacific Railroad's main division point from Wadsworth to Sparks. The railroad rerouted its tracks along the eastern Truckee River corridor to eliminate several dangerous curves and grades.
The railroad originally looked at Reno for its new shops, but went east because of cheaper land. A passenger station and freight yard opened in 1905.
The town began to develop around the railroad's facilities. Many railroad employees who had worked in Wadsworth were sold lots in the new community and moved their homes to Sparks.
The new town was originally called "East Reno" for a short time, then "Harriman," after E.H. Harriman, owner of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Finally, in April 1904, Harriman decided to name the community in honor of Nevada's popular Governor John Sparks.
Railroading was an essential part of Sparks' early development. Displays in the Sparks Heritage Museum, across the street from locomotive No. 8, illustrate the town's rail links.
For example, dozens of historic photographs show the railroad buildings and equipment used at the Sparks railyard. A huge black and white wall print depicts the massive round house that once serviced the Southern Pacific engines.
In one room, you can find an original oak desk once used by the railroad, and still covered with the paperwork. Cabinets display uniforms, steam whistles, dining car trays, and an extensive collection of railroad lanterns.
The museum also tells the rest of the Sparks story. A school display features class pictures, typewriters, books, grade books and letter sweaters from years ago (even two "beanies" worn by freshmen in 1927-28 and 1930-31).
Other exhibits feature handmade quilts, a piano, talking and recording machines, radios, refrigerators and clothing from the late 19th and early 20th century. Against one wall, you can even find a switchboard like that used by the old Sparks Telephone Company.
A brochure entitled, "The Story of Sparks," is an excellent introduction to the community and offers photos and descriptions of remaining historic buildings. The brochure is available at the museum.
The Sparks Heritage Museum at 820 B Street is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call the museum at 775-355-1144.
Richard Moreno is the author of "The Backyard Traveler," "The Backyard Traveler Returns," and "The Roadside History of Nevada" which are available at local bookstores.
