Nevada State Hospital

"The debut of a new historical marker post 2020? This is proof that the State Marker System is stronger than ever! The debut of #274 begs the question, though: What happened to the proceeding numbers? Perhaps there is a queue of possible additions to the system with reserved numbers? The idea that such a program can still hold on after Covid is great news for history buffs young and old. Marker 274, here in urban Reno in particular, is evidence that loads of wonderful nuggets of history sit in plain sight of Nevada's second-largest city. Oh, the possibilities hence forth." -- May 2022

[274]       

559 Galetti Way -- Reno

Reno & Washoe County
  39.529326, -119.778636

Original Date Visited: 5/11/22
Last Revisited: 11/23/24
Signed: No

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

Exact Description:
The Nevada State Insane Asylum opened its doors on July 1, 1882. Later known as the Nevada State Hospital. The State constructed the asylum three miles east of reno and acquired a one-sixth interest in the nearby Sullivan ditch. The first building at the hospital was a four-story second empire-style building designed by Andrew F. Mackay and Gotth Haist of Virginia City, with room for 200 patients.

The asylum was largely self-sufficient, operating as a working farm. Asylum staff and patients cultivated alfalfa fields, orchards, and gardens using water from the Sullivan ditch as well as poultry yards and a dairy. Support buildings included barns, a boiler plant, laundry facilities, an icehouse, machine shops, a morgue, and a cemetery. A river-powered generator supplied electricity to the hospital.

As the patient population grew, the state added new buildings to the grounds and remodeled existing buildings. Many designed by prominent local architects, including Frederic Delongchamps, Edward Parsons, Ray Hellman, Albert Alegre, and Weldon Harrison. The original building was condemned in the 1950s and demolished in 1960.

Finally! This is much-needed tribute to the foundings of mental health in Nevada. A thousand kudos go to the handful of sponsoring organizations for making this marker a reality!

Interstate 80 Roadtrip
 COVERED IN MY I-80 ROAD TRIP

LET'S DO IT AGAIN!

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Related Links & Markers:

 - 72 - Nevada State Children's Home   - 245 - Frederick DeLongchamps   Nevada Insane Asylum (Ghost Towns & Beyond)   Early Nevada Mental History Tour 

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