Date Uploaded: September 14, 2025
Permanent Link: http://wnhpc.com/details/fb24853104250942737
Contributor: Cindy Ainsworth on Facebook
Source: Facebook: Cindy Ainsworth
Source URL: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=24853104250942737&set=gm.10162463034648517&idorvanity=276615248516
Source Caption: Our next photo is of a favorite location of mine. Virginia Lake Park. The Lake was built in 1937 as part of a Work Projects Administration (WPA) project. The Civilian Conservation Corp and Washoe County also contributed to building the park. I would say this photo was taken around 1939-40 since you can see the walking paths which would have been constructed a bit later after the lake was built. The property was purchased from The Hall family who operated the adjoining Old Orchard Trailer Park. The book Nevada The Silver State, published in 1940 as part of the American Guide Series which was compiled by the Writer’s Program of the WPA, reported that “Virginia Lake, 42 acres, including a 30 acre man-made lake, lawns, landscaped grounds, a fine bridle path, and an island…offers scenic and recreational opportunity to resident and tourist alike.” Yes, you could ride your horse around the lake. The lake is fed by the Cochran Ditch and exits through a screened, submerged storm drain. From here, water drains into Boynton Slough, then Steamboat Ditch. Fishing is a favorite pastime when visiting the park but past activities also included concerts by the Reno Municipal Band and a Sports Car Club of America sanctioned race which included the lake oval as part of its course which .then went south on Lakeside to Moana, to Plumas and back down to Lakeside.
The park is one of my favorite places to take a walk and I have no idea how many miles I have traveled around the lake. I always love walking past the tufa fountain on the east side of the lake. Perhaps in the future, I’ll have some more tales about the lake and park.
Photo was originally from the Nevada Historical Society
Download Photo: JPG (432 KB)
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