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Two views of the California Building
Photos by Mella Rothwell
Harmon, Courtesy of Nevada State Historic Preservation Office
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Located in the northwestern portion of Idlewild Park, the California Building
is the only remaining architectural remnant of the Transcontinental Highway
Exposition of 1927. Idlewild Park was created for this exposition which
celebrated the completion of the Lincoln and Victory highways (present
day U.S. 50 and U.S. 40). In 1913, members of the automobile industry
began raising money to create a hard-surfaced highway coast-to-coast,
with accurate signs along its entire length. The Lincoln Highway Association
was formed that same year to help complete this early transcontinental
highway, and with assistance of the Federal Highway Aid Act of 1916 and
1921, their goal was soon reached. The completion of the highways opened
Nevada up to the lucrative automobile tourism trade, and led to growth
and development of communities along the highway routes. San Francisco
landscape architect Donald McLaren designed the layout of the exposition
grounds. McLaren, who designed the landscaping for the 1915 Pan-Pacific
Exposition in San Francisco, also worked on the design of Reno's Wingfield
Park. Idlewild Park and the California Building were gifts from the neighboring
state of California.
Photograph of California Building from 1940
Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs
Division, FSA-OWI Collection, LC-USF34-029656-D DLC |
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The California Building was constructed in the Mission Revival architectural
style, appropriate as a representation of that state's Spanish and Mexican
heritage, and features stuccoed walls, clay tile roof, a bell tower and
arched openings. It was the grandest exhibit at the exposition. In honor
of those who fell in combat in World War I, the California legislature
dedicated the building, "To the memory of those who gave the last full
measure of devotion to this nation." At one time, Idlewild Park included
a zoo, a fish hatchery and a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp. Today,
the California Building is the only remaining building constructed for
the Exposition, reminding Nevadans of their role in early transcontinental
highway development. It is currently owned by the City of Reno as a recreational
facility and has undergone exterior refurbishment partially funded through
the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office.
The California Building is located at 1000 Cowan Dr., in Idlewild
Park, 1.5 miles west of downtown Reno. It is open to the public. Call
775-334-2262 for park events and activities.
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