Reno and Sparks are cities located in Washoe County, Nevada on the corridor of Interstate 80. Prior to the construction of Interstate 80 the primary east/west highway through Reno and Sparks was US Route 40. Within Reno US Route 40 was aligned on 4th Street whereas it was located on what is now Victorian Avenue in Sparks. The photo above depicts former US Route 40 on 4th Street in downtown Reno. Below former US Route 40 on 4th Street in Reno is depicted on the 1956 Shell Highway Map of Nevada . Part 1; the history of US Route 40 in Reno and Sparks Reno and Sparks are located along the Truckee River in the Truckee River Valley. During the period of the California Gold Rush the area which is presently occupied by Reno and Sparks was located on the California Trail. What is now presently Reno and Sparks can be seen near the communities of Onieda and Sloute Bridge on the 1863 DeGroot's Map of Nevada Territory along the California T...
Because every road has a story.