The National Automobile Museum
Located along the banks of the Truckee River in downtown Reno, the 105,000 square foot building incorporates smooth, rounded, exterior walls and chrome trim reminiscent of automotive styling. The popular 1950s car paint color, Heather Fire Mist, was chosen for the exterior walls.
Inside the Museum, it’s like driving a century in just two hours, letting visitors travel through time like few other places. Four period street scenes represent each quarter of the 20th century, with facades, autos and artifacts reflecting each era’s styles and moods. A timeline of events and achievements on each street chronicles the history and progress of the automobile.
Beyond the streets, visitors discover a century of automobiles--more than 200 antique, vintage, classic and special interest vehicles ranging from 1892 to present. The Museum, considered to have one of the finest horseless carriage collections in the world, is also known for its many rare, experimental and one-of-a-kind automobiles.
When the National Automobile Museum (The Harrah Collection) opened in 1989, it was reported to have set the standard for the world of automobile museums with its dramatic displays, in-depth interpretation, extensive collection and exciting opportunities for visitor participation.
The Museum displays more than 200 cars from 1892 to present, the majority of which are from the world famous collection of the late gaming pioneer and avid collector, Bill Harrah.
The idea for the Museum developed after Mr. Harrah’s death in 1978. Holiday Corporation purchased Harrah’s Hotels/Casinos and the world-renowned Harrah’s Automobile Collection in 1980. Following an announcement by Holiday Corporation of its intent to sell Harrah’s Automobile Collection, there was a tremendous public outcry from the citizens of Nevada to save the collection.
In 1981, in response to this outcry, Nevada Governor Robert List helped form a private nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation. Holiday Corporation donated 175 cars and the research library, among other artifacts. At the time, this was the largest corporate philanthropic gift in our nation’s history.
Thanks to the generosity of many, the land and construction of the Museum were funded by public and private contributions, most notably from the City of Reno Redevelopment Agency, a State of Nevada legislative appropriation and philanthropic individuals.
Hoover Dam
In 1930, President Herbert Hoover put his signature under to a project that was eventually to carry his name, to build a dam to stop the Colorado River from doing two things, flood the low lying areas or not producing enough water to irrigate the areas and thus depriving farmers in Arizona, Nevada and California from successfully working on their land. Something had to be done and taming the Colorado River by erecting a massive dam seemed the best option.
Hoover Dam was built during the great depression and 5000 workers and their families flogged to the desert area to find work. 5000 men who worked round the clock in three shifts, 7 days a week 365 days a year to get it done. Workers at the time earned $5.00 a day and had one day off per month. Boulder City was built nearby to house all the workers and their families and as it is built on federal land, gambling in any shape or forms is not allowed. Until today, Boulder City remains the only place in Nevada where gambling is illegal.
The dam was finished in 5 years, well ahead of time and under budget. Hoover Dam, or Boulder Dam as it was originally called, was scheduled to be built in Boulder Canyon. Unfortunately the area did not meet the specifications and the project was moved to Black Canyon. However the name Boulder Dam was retained, later changed to Hoover Dam (after president Hoover), then renamed Boulder Dam as president Hoover was generally disliked in the country. In 1947, the US senate decided to put an end to the naming and renaming game and the dam became officially known for all times as Hoover Dam.
Behind Hoover Dam you will find one of the USA’s and the world’s biggest man made lakes, Lake Mead (named after the person who oversaw the building of the dam), with thousands of miles of coastline and opportunities for water sport or similar. After the dam was finished it took almost another 5 years to fill up completely. Seeing it from the air will show you how enormous it actually is and puts it all into perspective.The Bureau of Reclamation started conducting tours through the Hoover Dam and Power Plant in 1937. Today, close to 1,000,000 visitors a year take the tour and millions more drive across the dam.
Valley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire State Park is located only six miles from Lake Mead and 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate 15 and on exit 75. Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest and largest state park, dedicated 1935. The valley derives its name from the red sandstone formations and the stark beauty of the Mojave Desert. Ancient trees and early man are represented throughout the park by areas of petrified wood and 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyph. Popular activities include camping, hiking, picnicking and photography. The park offers a full-scale visitor center with extensive interpretive displays. Several group use areas are also available. The park is open all year.
The Valley of Fire derives its name from red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs, 150 million years ago. Complex uplifting and faulting of the region, followed by extensive erosion, have created the present landscape. Other important rock formations include limestones, shales, and conglomerates. Prehistoric users of the Valley of Fire included the Basket Maker people and later the Anasazi Pueblo farmers from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley. The span of approximate occupation has been dated from 300 B.C. to 1150 A.D. Their visits probably involved hunting, food gathering, and religious ceremonies, although scarcity of water would have limited the length of their stay. Fine examples of rock art left by these ancient peoples can be found at several sites within the park.
Winters are mild with temperatures ranging from freezing to 75 degrees. Daily summer highs usually exceed 100 degrees, and may reach 120 degrees. Summer temperatures can vary widely from day to night. Average annual rainfall is four inches, coming in the form of light winter showers and summer thunderstorms. Spring and fall are the preferred seasons for visiting the Valley of Fire.