Yesterday was the First Annual Reno Harvest of Homes tour put on by the Historic Reno Preservation Society. The tour was conceived as both a way to show distinguished homes in Reno and to form a fund to help preserve the old and historic homes of Reno.
Six distinguished homes of historical and architectural significance were on the tour. I was joking up to the day of the tour that there were five distinguished homes on the tour and then there was ours, but after touring the other homes, I can honestly say our home held it's own. It was the smallest, most unassuming home on the tour. We didn't have great landscaping like the Enchanted Garden/Ricky's Resort house nor did we have unique features like the oriental design of the Hart house, however, based on the reactions and comments from people I met who had visited it, Full Circle House was a big hit. As far as I can tell almost everyone who toured our home loved it.
Between two and three hundred people came through our home in four hours. I had the opportunity to be home at the beginning and end of the tour and was able to interact with people on the tour. Many of the older attendees knew the name Machabee and remembered Machabee and Morrill Office Supply. Several of them knew the Fants or knew of them.
The mystery of the stick with W. J. Machabee's name on it was solved by one of the attendees. It is used for a process called scaling in which a scaler will estimate how much lumber, measured in board feet, a log will produce. William Machabee worked in the lumber industry and would have used the stick while scaling a log. If not for the tour, we may never have learned its true use.
The preliminary results from the tour are great! There were over 350 attendees and 75 people acting as either home hosts, volunteers or working on committees. While preliminary, the president of the Historic Reno Preservation Society, Sharon Honig-Bear, reported today there should be between $7000 to $8000 to start the preservation fund.
We'll be posting more about the other houses on the tour over the next few days.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Who Was Moran Street Named For?
On July 24th, 1960, the article titled “They Gave Their Names To the Streets of Reno” by Ethel Zimmer ran in the Reno Gazette. The article was part of a series covering past residents of Reno and the streets named for them. The street in this article was Moran Street and the article covered the life of Judge Thomas (Barney) Moran.
An Irish immigrant, Judge Moran came to America in 1878, when he was ten years old. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio and came to Reno by way of Chicago, Winslow, Arizona and Carson City, Nevada. Along the way he studied Law and worked as a telegraph operator and train dispatcher, while he built his law practice. He was, undisputely, a memorable figure in Reno history. There are many references to him in the local papers of his time. He is certainly someone a street could be named after. However, Moran street may not have been named for him.
I first began to suspect Moran street may not have been named for Judge Moran when I bought my house on Moran and began to research it's history and past residents. There are records referring to my house as far back as 1909. Past residents have told me it was built in 1906 and it is clearly visible in an aerial photo taken from a captive airship in 1908. My research puts the year our home was built in as 1907.
This would make sense as my house is in the Wells Addition to Reno, which was approved in 1905. It's Queen Anne style dates it to the turn of the century. The original application for the Wells addition shows Moran street is an extension of an existing street. This indicates that Moran street was in existence prior to 1905. Further research shows Moran Street in existence on a map drawn by H. E. Stewart in 1900.
Barney Moran lived in Nevada prior to 1900. Up until 1892 he was a telegraph dispatcher in Wadsworth at which time he left to take a job as a dispatcher in Fresno, California. He returned sometime in 1894, but to Wadsworth, not Reno. In 1906 he became District Attorney for Washoe County. However, the colorful part of his career didn't really take off until he was elected to the post of Washoe County District Judge in 1911. Since this is well after the date that Moran Street first shows up on a map, it is doubtful Moran Street was named for him.
So if Moran Street was not named for Judge Moran, who was it named for? My research has found a few possibilities. There are two which stand out.
The first is Jacob Moran who opened a saloon on Virginia Street in 1876. He was also known as Jake Moran or Uncle Jake. In addition his last name sometimes appears in local papers as Muren.
Besides being a saloon operator, he may have built and opened a hotel in Reno on the corner of Lake and Commercial row in 1879. I have found evidence that he may have bought a third establishment, the Ocean Spray Saloon in or around 1884.
In 1882 there is a reference to Mrs. Jacob Moran dying suddenly at home. The article states “she lived on the south side of the river near the V&T track.” Moran Street is located south of the Truckee river and crosses Holcomb Street, which parallels the old V&T line. There is also a reference in 1882 to a Josie Moran (possibly his daughter) as a student at the South Side School. The old South Side School is clearly visible in the above mentioned aerial photo and sits just two blocks from where present day Moran Street is located.
After 1884, direct references to Jacob Moran are hard to find. This is in part, I believe to the great number of references to the Moran Brothers and other Morans that appear in the local papers during this period. There is a reference to the Washoe County Board of Commissioners granting Jacob Moran seven dollars of (tax?) relief in August 1894 and again in July of 1895.
The second possibility is Moran Street was named for the Moran Brothers, who ran the Moran Bank in New York city and were early investors in America's railroads. They took over the Nevada and California railroad in 1884 after the original owners failed to pay the interest on their bonds. They changed the name to the Nevada and Oregon railroad (later the Nevada, California and Oregon), as they intended to extend the line to Oregon. It ran north from the Reno area into California. There is an article that lists “Messers. Moore, Woods, Wheeler and Moran” as traveling to Beckworth on the NC&O in 1881. Samuel Wheeler developed the Wells addition and it would be likely that, if he was associated with the Moran brothers, he might have named a street after them.
Even though they never achieved their dreams of a railroad line to Oregon, they did extend the line further into California. There was a stop in California at a town called Moran. It is possible that Moran, California may have been named for the Moran Brothers. If a town in California, may have been named for it's benefactors, why not a street in Reno? Reno certainly benefitted from the NC & O which transported lumber and supplies from Northern California to Reno for decades.
Of the possibilities I have researched, I believe Jacob Moran is the best candidate. He lived in Reno for many years during the late 1800's, he was a well known businessman with a least two establishments in town. At sometime, he lived south of the river. Josie Moran may have been his daughter and since she attended the old South Side, that shows the Morans lived somewhere near the present day Moran St. In the “They Gave Their Names To the Streets of Reno” series about Taylor street it states “When the town caught up with the Taylor place the street close by was named for the family.” In my opinion it also stands to reason that when the town caught up to where the Morans lived, the street nearest them was named Moran Street. In addition, many of the streets on the 1900 map were named for well known residents of Reno who lived in there prior to 1900 and Jacob Moran surely counts among them.
Ethel Zimmer, the author of the “They Gave Their Names To The Streets Of Reno” series, grew up in Franktown, Nevada, which is nearly twenty five miles south of Reno. She probably would not have known Jacob Moran, who died when she was eight years old. It would be natural for her to assume the Moran street was named for Judge Moran.
Jacob Moran died on March 13, 1899. There was no obituary telling the story of his life, only a small notice in the local papers reading “MORAN-In Reno. Nev., March 13,1899, Jacob Moran, a native of Germany, aged 80 years...” While the other Morans I have mentioned, and the ones I haven't, all contributed to the history of Reno, I believe the timing of the 1900 map, the evidence of Jacob Moran living south of the river and the fact that Jacob Moran was well known in Reno long before Judge Moran made his mark here, can only lead one to conclude that Moran Street was named for him.
An Irish immigrant, Judge Moran came to America in 1878, when he was ten years old. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio and came to Reno by way of Chicago, Winslow, Arizona and Carson City, Nevada. Along the way he studied Law and worked as a telegraph operator and train dispatcher, while he built his law practice. He was, undisputely, a memorable figure in Reno history. There are many references to him in the local papers of his time. He is certainly someone a street could be named after. However, Moran street may not have been named for him.
I first began to suspect Moran street may not have been named for Judge Moran when I bought my house on Moran and began to research it's history and past residents. There are records referring to my house as far back as 1909. Past residents have told me it was built in 1906 and it is clearly visible in an aerial photo taken from a captive airship in 1908. My research puts the year our home was built in as 1907.
This would make sense as my house is in the Wells Addition to Reno, which was approved in 1905. It's Queen Anne style dates it to the turn of the century. The original application for the Wells addition shows Moran street is an extension of an existing street. This indicates that Moran street was in existence prior to 1905. Further research shows Moran Street in existence on a map drawn by H. E. Stewart in 1900.
Barney Moran lived in Nevada prior to 1900. Up until 1892 he was a telegraph dispatcher in Wadsworth at which time he left to take a job as a dispatcher in Fresno, California. He returned sometime in 1894, but to Wadsworth, not Reno. In 1906 he became District Attorney for Washoe County. However, the colorful part of his career didn't really take off until he was elected to the post of Washoe County District Judge in 1911. Since this is well after the date that Moran Street first shows up on a map, it is doubtful Moran Street was named for him.
So if Moran Street was not named for Judge Moran, who was it named for? My research has found a few possibilities. There are two which stand out.
The first is Jacob Moran who opened a saloon on Virginia Street in 1876. He was also known as Jake Moran or Uncle Jake. In addition his last name sometimes appears in local papers as Muren.
Besides being a saloon operator, he may have built and opened a hotel in Reno on the corner of Lake and Commercial row in 1879. I have found evidence that he may have bought a third establishment, the Ocean Spray Saloon in or around 1884.
In 1882 there is a reference to Mrs. Jacob Moran dying suddenly at home. The article states “she lived on the south side of the river near the V&T track.” Moran Street is located south of the Truckee river and crosses Holcomb Street, which parallels the old V&T line. There is also a reference in 1882 to a Josie Moran (possibly his daughter) as a student at the South Side School. The old South Side School is clearly visible in the above mentioned aerial photo and sits just two blocks from where present day Moran Street is located.
After 1884, direct references to Jacob Moran are hard to find. This is in part, I believe to the great number of references to the Moran Brothers and other Morans that appear in the local papers during this period. There is a reference to the Washoe County Board of Commissioners granting Jacob Moran seven dollars of (tax?) relief in August 1894 and again in July of 1895.
The second possibility is Moran Street was named for the Moran Brothers, who ran the Moran Bank in New York city and were early investors in America's railroads. They took over the Nevada and California railroad in 1884 after the original owners failed to pay the interest on their bonds. They changed the name to the Nevada and Oregon railroad (later the Nevada, California and Oregon), as they intended to extend the line to Oregon. It ran north from the Reno area into California. There is an article that lists “Messers. Moore, Woods, Wheeler and Moran” as traveling to Beckworth on the NC&O in 1881. Samuel Wheeler developed the Wells addition and it would be likely that, if he was associated with the Moran brothers, he might have named a street after them.
Even though they never achieved their dreams of a railroad line to Oregon, they did extend the line further into California. There was a stop in California at a town called Moran. It is possible that Moran, California may have been named for the Moran Brothers. If a town in California, may have been named for it's benefactors, why not a street in Reno? Reno certainly benefitted from the NC & O which transported lumber and supplies from Northern California to Reno for decades.
Of the possibilities I have researched, I believe Jacob Moran is the best candidate. He lived in Reno for many years during the late 1800's, he was a well known businessman with a least two establishments in town. At sometime, he lived south of the river. Josie Moran may have been his daughter and since she attended the old South Side, that shows the Morans lived somewhere near the present day Moran St. In the “They Gave Their Names To the Streets of Reno” series about Taylor street it states “When the town caught up with the Taylor place the street close by was named for the family.” In my opinion it also stands to reason that when the town caught up to where the Morans lived, the street nearest them was named Moran Street. In addition, many of the streets on the 1900 map were named for well known residents of Reno who lived in there prior to 1900 and Jacob Moran surely counts among them.
Ethel Zimmer, the author of the “They Gave Their Names To The Streets Of Reno” series, grew up in Franktown, Nevada, which is nearly twenty five miles south of Reno. She probably would not have known Jacob Moran, who died when she was eight years old. It would be natural for her to assume the Moran street was named for Judge Moran.
Jacob Moran died on March 13, 1899. There was no obituary telling the story of his life, only a small notice in the local papers reading “MORAN-In Reno. Nev., March 13,1899, Jacob Moran, a native of Germany, aged 80 years...” While the other Morans I have mentioned, and the ones I haven't, all contributed to the history of Reno, I believe the timing of the 1900 map, the evidence of Jacob Moran living south of the river and the fact that Jacob Moran was well known in Reno long before Judge Moran made his mark here, can only lead one to conclude that Moran Street was named for him.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Come See Our House
Come see our our house and five other homes on
The Reno Harvest of Homes tour, Saturday, October 2nd, 10:00 to 3:00. Go to www.historicreno.org for more
The Reno Harvest of Homes tour, Saturday, October 2nd, 10:00 to 3:00. Go to www.historicreno.org for more
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Zonnevelds (Part 2)
Jim and Connie Zonneveld (1999 to 2004)
Jim was born at Washoe Medical Center (now called Renown) and lived here until he sold the house to Kevin and Amy Moore. After we moved in, Jim gave us the wood stove that was in his kitchen since his parents bought the house. I’ve been trying to date the stove. I have it narrowed down to somewhere between 1902 and 1920. It is possible that this is the original wood stove for this house. Jim also gave us the keys to the original locks to our house. They still work in most of the doors; the other doors probably just need some refurbishing to make them work.
Jim was born at Washoe Medical Center (now called Renown) and lived here until he sold the house to Kevin and Amy Moore. After we moved in, Jim gave us the wood stove that was in his kitchen since his parents bought the house. I’ve been trying to date the stove. I have it narrowed down to somewhere between 1902 and 1920. It is possible that this is the original wood stove for this house. Jim also gave us the keys to the original locks to our house. They still work in most of the doors; the other doors probably just need some refurbishing to make them work.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The Zonnevelds (Part 1)
Jack T and Margaret Zonneveld - 1960 to 1999
Jack and Margaret Zonneveld came to the United States from Holland. Mr. Zonneveld worked for John Ascuaga’s Nugget casino in Sparks, NV. When he retired from the Nugget he was the Purchasing Director.
Mrs. Zonneveld never worked. however, Kitty (her daughter) informed me that she was an loving mother of five children and a hard working housewife. Many of our long term neighbors still remember the Zonnevelds and tell many stories about them. One of the most common stories we hear is about Mr. Zonneveld walking his dogs around the neighborhood. Griff, one of our long term neighbors also told us the Zonnevelds loved to sing and would visit nursing homes to entertain the residents.
We invited Kitty Falcone (née Zonneveld) and Jim Zonneveld, two of their children, over to visit. Kitty and Jim were very helpful in helping us learn what our house looked like before it was remodeled. They also gave us a bit of family history. Mr. Zonneveld was an avid gardener. In fact most of our back yard, which is now grass, was a vegetable garden. When the Nugget used to have elephants as part of their attractions, Mr. Zonneveld would bring the elephant dung home for fertilizer. Jim said that, if you got lost at night, you could always smell your way home.
The day before my fiftieth birthday, I was doing some last minute cleaning in the basement and found a roll of paper under the shelves Mrs. Zonneveld used for her preserves. The paper was wrapped around something. As I pulled it out, it ripped and part of what was in there fell out. They were a pair of old strap-on ice skates. Kitty translated the writing on the paper, "Papa Schaatseh" as being Dutch for "Father's Skates." These were probably Mr. Zonneveld's skates that he brought with him from Holland. The skates are now in her possession.
Another interesting find were four cans of evaporated milk that were found between the ceiling of our basement and the floor joists. The dates on three cans were from 1966. The fourth didn't have a date, but since they were all found together it is reasonable to assume they were also put there at the same time. Kitty said they may have been put there by her brother, John, who's bedroom was in the basement at that time.
We also found out that Robert Conrad (from the TV Series Wild, Wild West and Baa-Baa Black Sheep) filmed a made for TV movie in Reno in 1992. It was called "Sworn to Vengeance." A friend of ours gave me a DVD of it for my 50th birthday. There are several scenes filmed in the Wells Addition. Three scenes were filmed in our house.
Jack and Margaret Zonneveld came to the United States from Holland. Mr. Zonneveld worked for John Ascuaga’s Nugget casino in Sparks, NV. When he retired from the Nugget he was the Purchasing Director.
Mrs. Zonneveld never worked. however, Kitty (her daughter) informed me that she was an loving mother of five children and a hard working housewife. Many of our long term neighbors still remember the Zonnevelds and tell many stories about them. One of the most common stories we hear is about Mr. Zonneveld walking his dogs around the neighborhood. Griff, one of our long term neighbors also told us the Zonnevelds loved to sing and would visit nursing homes to entertain the residents.
We invited Kitty Falcone (née Zonneveld) and Jim Zonneveld, two of their children, over to visit. Kitty and Jim were very helpful in helping us learn what our house looked like before it was remodeled. They also gave us a bit of family history. Mr. Zonneveld was an avid gardener. In fact most of our back yard, which is now grass, was a vegetable garden. When the Nugget used to have elephants as part of their attractions, Mr. Zonneveld would bring the elephant dung home for fertilizer. Jim said that, if you got lost at night, you could always smell your way home.
The day before my fiftieth birthday, I was doing some last minute cleaning in the basement and found a roll of paper under the shelves Mrs. Zonneveld used for her preserves. The paper was wrapped around something. As I pulled it out, it ripped and part of what was in there fell out. They were a pair of old strap-on ice skates. Kitty translated the writing on the paper, "Papa Schaatseh" as being Dutch for "Father's Skates." These were probably Mr. Zonneveld's skates that he brought with him from Holland. The skates are now in her possession.
Another interesting find were four cans of evaporated milk that were found between the ceiling of our basement and the floor joists. The dates on three cans were from 1966. The fourth didn't have a date, but since they were all found together it is reasonable to assume they were also put there at the same time. Kitty said they may have been put there by her brother, John, who's bedroom was in the basement at that time.
We also found out that Robert Conrad (from the TV Series Wild, Wild West and Baa-Baa Black Sheep) filmed a made for TV movie in Reno in 1992. It was called "Sworn to Vengeance." A friend of ours gave me a DVD of it for my 50th birthday. There are several scenes filmed in the Wells Addition. Three scenes were filmed in our house.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Arthurs
Joseph and Zau B Arthur - 1956 to 1960
The Authur's purchased our house from the Porter's on or around July 17, 1956. Mr. Arthur, known as Joe Arthur, was a well known mining figure in Nevada. He was born in Cornwall, England in 1875. He didn't meet his father until he came to America at nine years old as his father, like many English men of that era, came to America for work. His father worked in the Comstock Mine in Virginia City, Nevada. When Joe and his family came to America, they settled in Ruby Hill, Nevada. By the time he was seventeen Joe had already worked in the mines, been a cowpuncher (a cowboy) and had a small gold strike of $150. In 1901, at age 26, he was appointed to the Methodist Church Nevada Mission for Ruby Hill.
After his father died in 1901, he took his mother to Butte, Montana where he set her up in a boarding home. From there he went to Tonopah, Nevada, via Salt Lake City, Utah and Reno, Nevada. In Reno he hooked up with his boyhood friend from Ruby Hill, Harry Fray. Harry accompanied him to Tonopah. In Tonopah he took charge of a mining property for a Salt Lake City based company. When the company shut down the mine, he took it over on a lease.
After working the mine in Tonopah, he spent the next several years working his claims, prospecting and having several exciting adventures, many of which are chronicled in his biography, “Broken Hills.” “Broken Hills” was written by his wife, Zua, and is a must read for anyone interested in Nevada history.
Around 1913, he and his partner, Jim Stratford, made their biggest strike in what would become known as Broken Hills, Nevada. While the strike yielded $68,000 in ore, a minuscule amount compared to the Comstock Lode, that equates to $1,090,810 in today's dollars. Between that and the money he made selling his mine in 1917, he was able to retire to Reno, Nevada at forty three years old.
Joe never really retired though, he continued to prospect around Nevada and work his remaining claims for the next forty years. When not prospecting he spent his time hunting, fishing and entertaining people with stories of his life in Nevada.
Zau Arthur (née Bearss) grew up in Marshall County and Bourbon, Indiana where she attended high school. She studied at the Chicago Art Institute. Mrs. Arthur was an artist. While in Reno she created and sold many of her paintings. One of her paintings hung in our front room, even after the Zonnevelds purchased the home from the Arthurs. You can catch a glimpse of that painting in the movie “Sworn to Vengeance” (see more in section on the Zonnevelds).
A Joseph Arthur was listed as an honorary Pallbearer at William Machabee's funeral, but I have not been able to confirm he is the same Joseph Arthur who owned our house. However, as Harry Fray, his boyhood friend from Ruby Hill was related, by marriage, to the Machabees and Harry also worked at the Verdi Lumber Company with William Machabee, it is possible that Joe and Mr. Machabee were friends.
Mr. Arthur died on December 17, 1959. He and Mrs. Arthur had two sons; Kirk and George
The Authur's purchased our house from the Porter's on or around July 17, 1956. Mr. Arthur, known as Joe Arthur, was a well known mining figure in Nevada. He was born in Cornwall, England in 1875. He didn't meet his father until he came to America at nine years old as his father, like many English men of that era, came to America for work. His father worked in the Comstock Mine in Virginia City, Nevada. When Joe and his family came to America, they settled in Ruby Hill, Nevada. By the time he was seventeen Joe had already worked in the mines, been a cowpuncher (a cowboy) and had a small gold strike of $150. In 1901, at age 26, he was appointed to the Methodist Church Nevada Mission for Ruby Hill.
After his father died in 1901, he took his mother to Butte, Montana where he set her up in a boarding home. From there he went to Tonopah, Nevada, via Salt Lake City, Utah and Reno, Nevada. In Reno he hooked up with his boyhood friend from Ruby Hill, Harry Fray. Harry accompanied him to Tonopah. In Tonopah he took charge of a mining property for a Salt Lake City based company. When the company shut down the mine, he took it over on a lease.
After working the mine in Tonopah, he spent the next several years working his claims, prospecting and having several exciting adventures, many of which are chronicled in his biography, “Broken Hills.” “Broken Hills” was written by his wife, Zua, and is a must read for anyone interested in Nevada history.
Around 1913, he and his partner, Jim Stratford, made their biggest strike in what would become known as Broken Hills, Nevada. While the strike yielded $68,000 in ore, a minuscule amount compared to the Comstock Lode, that equates to $1,090,810 in today's dollars. Between that and the money he made selling his mine in 1917, he was able to retire to Reno, Nevada at forty three years old.
Joe never really retired though, he continued to prospect around Nevada and work his remaining claims for the next forty years. When not prospecting he spent his time hunting, fishing and entertaining people with stories of his life in Nevada.
Zau Arthur (née Bearss) grew up in Marshall County and Bourbon, Indiana where she attended high school. She studied at the Chicago Art Institute. Mrs. Arthur was an artist. While in Reno she created and sold many of her paintings. One of her paintings hung in our front room, even after the Zonnevelds purchased the home from the Arthurs. You can catch a glimpse of that painting in the movie “Sworn to Vengeance” (see more in section on the Zonnevelds).
A Joseph Arthur was listed as an honorary Pallbearer at William Machabee's funeral, but I have not been able to confirm he is the same Joseph Arthur who owned our house. However, as Harry Fray, his boyhood friend from Ruby Hill was related, by marriage, to the Machabees and Harry also worked at the Verdi Lumber Company with William Machabee, it is possible that Joe and Mr. Machabee were friends.
Mr. Arthur died on December 17, 1959. He and Mrs. Arthur had two sons; Kirk and George
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Porters
John N and Ruth Porter - 1954 to 1956
There are very few references to the Porter's though I have been able to put together a few items. Mr. Porter born in Missouri on September 25, 1891. He was an member of the local Elks lodge, No. 597. There is a newspaper article referring to Mrs. Porter's Lilac bushes and one about a police report on Ruth's car blocking a neighbor's garage door. Both articles cite she lived in our home at the time.
We have a reference of the Porter's selling the house to the next residents on or around July 17, 1956. In addition, I found an obituary for Mr. Porter. He died in Sacramento , CA on November 27, 1957. His funeral was here in Reno and he was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery
Mrs. Porter's son (John's stepson) Arley T McCrary, was married here in Reno on January 29. 1959 while he was attending the University of Nevada. He died in Oklahoma on January 27, 1955.
There are very few references to the Porter's though I have been able to put together a few items. Mr. Porter born in Missouri on September 25, 1891. He was an member of the local Elks lodge, No. 597. There is a newspaper article referring to Mrs. Porter's Lilac bushes and one about a police report on Ruth's car blocking a neighbor's garage door. Both articles cite she lived in our home at the time.
We have a reference of the Porter's selling the house to the next residents on or around July 17, 1956. In addition, I found an obituary for Mr. Porter. He died in Sacramento , CA on November 27, 1957. His funeral was here in Reno and he was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery
Mrs. Porter's son (John's stepson) Arley T McCrary, was married here in Reno on January 29. 1959 while he was attending the University of Nevada. He died in Oklahoma on January 27, 1955.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Important Links
We've added a Links section to our blog. The West of Wells Neighborhood Group will link you to the site for our neighborhood group. There you can find out about us, what we are doing and more articles about the Wells avenue area.
I have also added one for the Nevada Historical Society. While much of our research for this blog has been done on the Internet, none of it would have been possible without the Nevada Historical Society. It's where we started to learn about Full Circle House and the Wells Neighborhood and where we still go for help. Mike, Heidi and the rest of the staff are always willing to assist anyone with a desire to learn about Nevada's history. Check them out, become a member or leave a donation.
I have also added one for the Nevada Historical Society. While much of our research for this blog has been done on the Internet, none of it would have been possible without the Nevada Historical Society. It's where we started to learn about Full Circle House and the Wells Neighborhood and where we still go for help. Mike, Heidi and the rest of the staff are always willing to assist anyone with a desire to learn about Nevada's history. Check them out, become a member or leave a donation.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Fants
John and June Fant - 1944 to 1954
John Fant was born on July 2, 1910 in Lovelock, NV. He grew up on the Riverside Ranch which was owned by his parents, John and Hilma, and Nevada Senator George Nixon. He graduated from Lovelock High School and went on to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering and a Teaching certificate from the University of Nevada in Reno.
John Fant was a school teacher in Lovelock and Wells, NV before coming to Reno to teach. He taught junior high here in Reno. Eventually he held the position of Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washoe County and later as it's Business Administrator and Finance Director. He was an avid tennis player and also enjoyed gardening, square dancing, and cribbage. Like William Machabee, he was also a Mason. After his retirement, he lived in Susanville, CA, where he volunteered at the Susanville Library until he was almost 90.
As far as I have been able to discern, while he owned our home, Mr. Fant was a school teacher. He and Mrs. Fant were both active in the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Many AAUW meetings were held here at our house. It wasn't until later, after he had moved from our home, that Mr. Fant held more administrative positions in the School district.
Mr. Fant worked for the school district at a time not unlike today. The Reno/Sparks area was growing and so was the school district. Just like today, there wasn't enough money to cover the expansion required to accommodate the growth. Many of the articles I've read about him have him working to increase the budget for education or to add new schools, classrooms and teachers.
June Fant was an Education Assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno. She also held the position of Instructor of Business Administration,
They were married on June, 1943. They honeymooned at Lake Tahoe and were to spend that summer at Mrs. Fant’s sister’s house in Cupertino, Calif. Unfortunately, that trip was cut short when John's father became ill. They sold their home to John and Ruth Porter on or around August 11, 1954.
Mrs. Fant died in 1971. Mr Fant died on May 11, 2004. They had two daughters, Jane and Lynne.
John Fant was born on July 2, 1910 in Lovelock, NV. He grew up on the Riverside Ranch which was owned by his parents, John and Hilma, and Nevada Senator George Nixon. He graduated from Lovelock High School and went on to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering and a Teaching certificate from the University of Nevada in Reno.
John Fant was a school teacher in Lovelock and Wells, NV before coming to Reno to teach. He taught junior high here in Reno. Eventually he held the position of Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washoe County and later as it's Business Administrator and Finance Director. He was an avid tennis player and also enjoyed gardening, square dancing, and cribbage. Like William Machabee, he was also a Mason. After his retirement, he lived in Susanville, CA, where he volunteered at the Susanville Library until he was almost 90.
As far as I have been able to discern, while he owned our home, Mr. Fant was a school teacher. He and Mrs. Fant were both active in the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Many AAUW meetings were held here at our house. It wasn't until later, after he had moved from our home, that Mr. Fant held more administrative positions in the School district.
Mr. Fant worked for the school district at a time not unlike today. The Reno/Sparks area was growing and so was the school district. Just like today, there wasn't enough money to cover the expansion required to accommodate the growth. Many of the articles I've read about him have him working to increase the budget for education or to add new schools, classrooms and teachers.
June Fant was an Education Assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno. She also held the position of Instructor of Business Administration,
They were married on June, 1943. They honeymooned at Lake Tahoe and were to spend that summer at Mrs. Fant’s sister’s house in Cupertino, Calif. Unfortunately, that trip was cut short when John's father became ill. They sold their home to John and Ruth Porter on or around August 11, 1954.
Mrs. Fant died in 1971. Mr Fant died on May 11, 2004. They had two daughters, Jane and Lynne.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Meyers
William B. and Ruth E. Meyer – 1943
Ownership and occupants of the home during this period is rather convoluted. We have found references to a Henry H. and Yetta Miller living here during 1943. However, as shown on a document provided by Lynne (Fant) Nielsen, John Fant bought the house from the Meyers in 1943. More research will be needed to clear up who lived here and who owned the house prior to the Fants.
Ownership and occupants of the home during this period is rather convoluted. We have found references to a Henry H. and Yetta Miller living here during 1943. However, as shown on a document provided by Lynne (Fant) Nielsen, John Fant bought the house from the Meyers in 1943. More research will be needed to clear up who lived here and who owned the house prior to the Fants.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Machabees
William J and Irene Machabee - 1914 (?) to 1943
We have a Polk's directory listing for William J. Machabee as a foreman for the Reno Mill & Lumber company in 1913. He stayed in the lumber industry for most of his life. In 1937 he is listed as being the manager of the Verdi Lumber Company and the following year he is an estimator for the Hobart Lumber Company. In addition, Irene is first listed as his wife during that year, which is interesting as they were married on July 11, 1907.
Mr. Machabee was the father of Delbert Machabee who founded Morrill and Machabee Office Supply, now called Machabee Office Environments, here in Reno. His grandchildren, James and Gary Machabee, still own the business. Gary's son, Scott, is now the president.
We also found a Polk's listing for a Mary Morrish running concurrently with William Machabee from 1917 to 1921. At first I thought maybe she was a servant, but further research has shown she was his mother-in-law and she lived here after her husband died. She died in the house on October 3, 1930. She was 81 years old.
Mr. Machabee died on January 4, 1946. He was 66 years old. Besides his work in the lumber industry, he was a “past Master of the Reno Masonic Lodge No. 13, a patron of the Nevada Chapter No. 13 of the Eastern Star, a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of Nevada and Kerak Temple of the Shrine.” (1) In addition, I have found references in the newspapers that list a Wm. Machabee as president of the Shinglers and Lathers' Union 10,500 and W J Machabee as the Recording Secretary for the Building Trades Council. He may have been a member of the Reno Wheelman, a cycling club still in existence here.
Mrs. Machabee was 86 when she died on August 25, 1970. She was a “Matron of the Nevada Chapter No. 13 O E S” (Order of the Eastern Star) “and was a member of the Daughters of the Nile and of the First Methodist Church.” (2) The First Methodist Church is Reno's oldest church. It was founded in 1868.
In our basement, on one of the joists there is an inscription that reads "Machabee 7/22/1923." During a recent, and serendipitous, conversation with Mary Machabee, the wife of the above mentioned Gary Machabee, she said that date may be significant. I researched that date at NewspaperArchives.com, but found nothing relating to the Machabees on that date. While cleaning out our basement for my 50th birthday party, Rosalie found a long, thin board with holes drilled in it. On it was the inscription "W J Machabee August 30, 1924." Again, I searched to see if that was related to something in Mr. Maccabees's life, but was unable to correlate it to any recorded events.
1. Reno Evening Gazette, Jan. 5, 1946, page 14
2. Nevada State Journal, Aug. 26, 1970, page 9
We have a Polk's directory listing for William J. Machabee as a foreman for the Reno Mill & Lumber company in 1913. He stayed in the lumber industry for most of his life. In 1937 he is listed as being the manager of the Verdi Lumber Company and the following year he is an estimator for the Hobart Lumber Company. In addition, Irene is first listed as his wife during that year, which is interesting as they were married on July 11, 1907.
Mr. Machabee was the father of Delbert Machabee who founded Morrill and Machabee Office Supply, now called Machabee Office Environments, here in Reno. His grandchildren, James and Gary Machabee, still own the business. Gary's son, Scott, is now the president.
We also found a Polk's listing for a Mary Morrish running concurrently with William Machabee from 1917 to 1921. At first I thought maybe she was a servant, but further research has shown she was his mother-in-law and she lived here after her husband died. She died in the house on October 3, 1930. She was 81 years old.
Mr. Machabee died on January 4, 1946. He was 66 years old. Besides his work in the lumber industry, he was a “past Master of the Reno Masonic Lodge No. 13, a patron of the Nevada Chapter No. 13 of the Eastern Star, a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of Nevada and Kerak Temple of the Shrine.” (1) In addition, I have found references in the newspapers that list a Wm. Machabee as president of the Shinglers and Lathers' Union 10,500 and W J Machabee as the Recording Secretary for the Building Trades Council. He may have been a member of the Reno Wheelman, a cycling club still in existence here.
Mrs. Machabee was 86 when she died on August 25, 1970. She was a “Matron of the Nevada Chapter No. 13 O E S” (Order of the Eastern Star) “and was a member of the Daughters of the Nile and of the First Methodist Church.” (2) The First Methodist Church is Reno's oldest church. It was founded in 1868.
In our basement, on one of the joists there is an inscription that reads "Machabee 7/22/1923." During a recent, and serendipitous, conversation with Mary Machabee, the wife of the above mentioned Gary Machabee, she said that date may be significant. I researched that date at NewspaperArchives.com, but found nothing relating to the Machabees on that date. While cleaning out our basement for my 50th birthday party, Rosalie found a long, thin board with holes drilled in it. On it was the inscription "W J Machabee August 30, 1924." Again, I searched to see if that was related to something in Mr. Maccabees's life, but was unable to correlate it to any recorded events.
1. Reno Evening Gazette, Jan. 5, 1946, page 14
2. Nevada State Journal, Aug. 26, 1970, page 9
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Chenoweths
Wallace Chenowith - 1909 (? ) to 1914 (?)
Wallace Chenoweth was stone mason in Reno. We believe he may have come here from Sonora, CA. In 1902 a W. Chenoweth of Sonora purchased a lot in the Newtown or East Reno tract. He was one of the original shareholders in the Gold Mountain Goldfields Mining and Milling company incorporated in 1906.
He married Mrs. Cynthia Ficke on June 23, 1907 in the home of Mrs. T. B. Skinner on Virgina St. The Reverend Leslie H. Burwell presided over the ceremony. There is a reference that Cynthia recorded a deed for the lot next of our house on August 31, 1905. Cynthia also had two children, August and Freda, from her first husband. He died on December 1, 1904 of typhoid.
The Chenoweths moved to San Jose, CA in 1924. There was a farewell party for them, but no reason for their move was given. However, Cynthia had family in the area, so maybe they moved to be near them.
Some interesting tidbits came up during our research.
There is a special notice in the Nevada State Journal on September 9, 1915 stating “I will not be responsible for any debts contracted by any one outside myself. W. M. Chenoweth.” We are not sure why this was posted.
Cynthia's son August died in San Jose California during October 1930. He would have been in his mid-thirties.
Her mother, Caroline Clark lived in Verdi with one of her daughters, Ethel Willams, until her death in January 1935 at age 76.
Her brother, John Clark, died after a protracted illness in May 1938. He lived in Berkely, CA and the article lists his siblings. Cynthia was in San Jose, CA, Elizabeth Ross in Red Rock, NV, Ethel Williams and Josephine Wagner in Reno, NV, Alice Vandecar of Berkely, CA and Alivia Mund of Santa Rosa, CA.
Cynthia was born in Utah. We have been unable to find where Wallace was born nor do we have any information when they died.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Full Circle House Occupants
Over the next few weeks we will be posting the information we have gathered on past occupants of Full Circle House. Here is a brief synopsis of past occupants and when they lived here.
Wallace and Cynthia Chenowith – 1909 (?) to 1914 (?)
Wallace was a stone mason. Cynthia may have been a housekeeper at a hotel or boarding house.
William J and Irene Machabee – 1914 (?) to 1943
William worked in the lumber industry. Irene was a homemaker. Both of them were very active in Reno's social activities. Irene's mother, Mary Morrish lived with them after Irene's father died.
William B. and Ruth E. Meyer – 1943
The Meyers owned our home in 1943, but we have been unable to find any information about them.
John and June Fant – 1944 to 1954
The Fants were educators. John eventually became Business Manager for the Washoe County School District. Their daughter, Lynne, has contributed many photos and documents from the time her parents owned our home.
John N and Ruth Porter - 1954 to 1956
We also have not been able to find much information on the Porters, even though they were long time Renoites.
Joseph and Zau B Arthur - 1956 to 1960
Joe was a successful miner in Nevada who had a small strike compared to many others here, but it was enough for him to retire comfortably. Zau was an accomplished artist who wrote a book about Joe's life.
Jack T and Margaret Zonneveld - 1960 to 1999
Jack and Margaret Zonneveld came to the United States from Holland. Jack worked for John Ascuaga’s Nugget casino in Sparks, NV. When he retired from the Nugget he was the Purchasing Director.
Jim and Connie Zonneveld (1999 to 2004)
More to come.
Kevin and Amy Moore (2004 to 2006)
More to come.
Kyle Moore and Tejay Harvey (2006 to 2007)
More to come.
Scott and Rosalie Powell (2007 to Present)
More to come.
Wallace and Cynthia Chenowith – 1909 (?) to 1914 (?)
Wallace was a stone mason. Cynthia may have been a housekeeper at a hotel or boarding house.
William J and Irene Machabee – 1914 (?) to 1943
William worked in the lumber industry. Irene was a homemaker. Both of them were very active in Reno's social activities. Irene's mother, Mary Morrish lived with them after Irene's father died.
William B. and Ruth E. Meyer – 1943
The Meyers owned our home in 1943, but we have been unable to find any information about them.
John and June Fant – 1944 to 1954
The Fants were educators. John eventually became Business Manager for the Washoe County School District. Their daughter, Lynne, has contributed many photos and documents from the time her parents owned our home.
John N and Ruth Porter - 1954 to 1956
We also have not been able to find much information on the Porters, even though they were long time Renoites.
Joseph and Zau B Arthur - 1956 to 1960
Joe was a successful miner in Nevada who had a small strike compared to many others here, but it was enough for him to retire comfortably. Zau was an accomplished artist who wrote a book about Joe's life.
Jack T and Margaret Zonneveld - 1960 to 1999
Jack and Margaret Zonneveld came to the United States from Holland. Jack worked for John Ascuaga’s Nugget casino in Sparks, NV. When he retired from the Nugget he was the Purchasing Director.
Jim and Connie Zonneveld (1999 to 2004)
More to come.
Kevin and Amy Moore (2004 to 2006)
More to come.
Kyle Moore and Tejay Harvey (2006 to 2007)
More to come.
Scott and Rosalie Powell (2007 to Present)
More to come.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Introduction
We call our home Full Circle House because, in a way, we have come full circle. Rosalie and I used to live close to work and downtown in our respective cities. When we were married, we moved far away from work and those downtown areas. Since moving to Reno, we've lived in many places, sometimes close to downtown, sometimes not so close and now we are on Moran Street for the second time. Now we live close to work, close to downtown and close to many of our friends, though in Reno, you're never really far away from anywhere else in Reno. We now have more friends and know more of our neighbors then anywhere else we've lived before.
As time goes on we will post more history of our home and it's occupants. In addition, we will be posting information relating to the Wells Addition and the general history of Reno.
Past residents of the Full Circle House include Reno Socialites, Union members, School Teachers, Masons, a well known mining figure. Some of them were native Nevadans, some of them moved to Nevada from other states and some of them emigrated to the United States. All of them, that we have been able to research, have been fine upstanding citizens and made contributions to the community in one form or another. We can only hope to carry on that tradition.
As time goes on we will post more history of our home and it's occupants. In addition, we will be posting information relating to the Wells Addition and the general history of Reno.
Past residents of the Full Circle House include Reno Socialites, Union members, School Teachers, Masons, a well known mining figure. Some of them were native Nevadans, some of them moved to Nevada from other states and some of them emigrated to the United States. All of them, that we have been able to research, have been fine upstanding citizens and made contributions to the community in one form or another. We can only hope to carry on that tradition.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Wells Addition
Reno, Nevada was founded in 1868. For the first ten years most of the community was situated on the north side of the Truckee river. By 1878 the city had begun to spread to south side of the Truckee and by the turn of the century Reno had firmly established itself on both sides of the river.
During the 1890's Sheldon O. Wells owned a sheep ranch on the south side of the Truckee and a store on the corner of Plaza and North Virginia in Reno. After his death in 1900, his estate was managed by his son-in-law, Samuel Wheeler, who was also a successful sheep rancher. In 1905 the Wells Estate company was approved to sub-divide Sheldon Wells' sheep ranch into the Wells Addition.
The Wells Addition was bordered on north by South street, now known as Ryland street, and to the West by the Virginia and Truckee railroad. Today, Holcomb avenue follows the path of the V & T railroad. The newly approved addition to Reno added Wells avenue as its eastern boundary and extended the existing Cheney street for its southern boundary.
Also extended into the Wells addition from existing streets were Stewart, Moran, Roberts and Thoma. Wheeler avenue, named for Samuel Wheeler, was added and ran from South street to Cheney.
Samuel Wheeler had already begun selling lots on the ranch before the Wells Addition was officially created. Lots in the Wells Addition originally sold for $100 and up. By 1907 the Nevada Portable House company was advertising ready made houses for sale from $300 up to $975 for fully erected houses. Many of these homes, including the model homes, were erected in the Wells Addition.
Trolley service was added in 1909, giving residents of the Wells Addition, and the later Burke Addition, easy access to the commercial areas of Reno. Many of Reno's successful merchants and it's middle class could now afford to live outside of the downtown area and still have an easy commute into work. The trolley ran from Virginia street, down Moran and then south on Wells Avenue.
As the area around the Wells Addition grew, Wheeler was extended south to Vassar street. Brick became the predominant building material and bungalows were the home style of choice. Today the “West of Wells” area is truly an island. While most of the grand Victorians that were built around South Virginia street are gone, most of the original houses in the Wells Addition remain. Its unique mix of Victorian and Queene Anne homes, brick bungalows, contemporary style homes and apartments add a character to the neighborhood that is not found elsewhere in Reno.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Welcome to Full Circle House
Welcome to Full Circle House. Located in Reno Nevada, our house is over one hundred years old. We know the names of everyone who has lived here. In most cases, we know their history. we've never blogged before, so this will be something new to us. Besides the history of our home, we will be adding information about the neighborhood we live in. When our neighborhood was developed in 1905 it was called the Wells Addition. Today we call it West of Wells. Through future posts and, as we learn more about blogging, there will be more to come about our unique neighborhood.
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