The Reno Arch is an iconic landmark in Reno, Nevada, spanning Virginia Street at the intersection with Commercial Row. Let me tell you a bit more about it.

The original Reno Arch was built on October 23, 1926, to commemorate the completion of the Lincoln and Victory Highways. These historic highways—now represented by modern U.S. Route 50 and Interstate 80—were vital routes connecting different parts of the country. The arch served as a gateway to the city, welcoming travelers and promoting Reno as “The Biggest Little City in the World”.

Over the years, the arch has seen some transformations. Here’s a brief history:

1. 1926 Original Arch: The first arch was constructed to promote the Nevada Transcontinental Highway Exposition, which celebrated the completion of the highways. It featured an illuminated torch on both sides of the city name and the famous slogan. Fun fact: The slogan, “Reno, The Biggest Little City in the World,” was coined by G. A. Burns of Sacramento and first appeared on the arch in 1929.

2. 1963 Replacement: The original steel arch was eventually replaced by a larger version with plastic panels, a rotating star, and an inverted arch below the “RENO” lettering. This version continued to proudly display the city’s motto. Interestingly, after its replacement, the original arch found a new home in Idlewild Park for a few years.

3. Current Arch: The third and current version of the Reno Arch was installed by YESCO on August 8, 1987. It has undergone various updates, including retrofitting with LED lights in 2009 and a design scheme revision to blue and silver in 2018.