Visiting the giant arrow above northwest Reno, Nevada and the history of the Steamboat Trail!

[@MrShobar]

Take water. Airway markers were common throughout the U.S. at one time. Many of them were painted symbols on rooftops of commercial buildings that included a name of a nearby airport, an arrow pointing in the direction of the airport, and the distance in miles to the airport. Some of these airway markers were lighted. The Department of Commerce stopped supporting this system once the low frequency ("A-N") system was established. Some of these defunct lighted beacons still exist in the Cascade Mountain Range in Washington. Great story, Steve. (BTW that's my name too).

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks!

[@garymunson2493]

Another suggestion: Truckee Meadows Water Authority gives tours of the Verdi power plant. We took it and it was pretty cool to see the old equipment that used to power the Virginia City mine pumps AND see it still working! Seems like it would be a real interesting vieo!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for the idea!

[@richardkaiser3756]

Floated the whole length when we were kids!!

[@SteveTRYK]

How cool is that?!

[@expressarch]

Excellent video. Thank you! I'd guess the ditch was built by the same guys who built the Virginia and Truckee Railroad line from Carson to Reno.

[@SteveTRYK]

That's very possible! Thanks for watching!

[@innovationsurvival]

Another superb video on the local area. Thank you.

[@SteveTRYK]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@harleydog282]

I enjoy your videos on the history of Reno. I have not been to Reno in probably 30 years or more. Would like to see a video on the history / time frame that the casinos I knew (The Comstock, Nevada Club, Harolds Club, Harrah's and Fitzgeralds etc) began to disappear from the downtown area. Thank you

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for your feedback! I take all of this into consideration - cheers!

[@MrShobar]

The large mural at Harold's Club ("Dedicated in All Humility...") went down to the Livestock Center. What happened to the gun collection? "Harold's Club or Bust" bumper stickers were once a common sight all throughout the western U.S.

[@johnbogle6475]

As a follower of the airmail arrow's history, I've found that there was one just east of Sparks (demolished for other antennas). I believe the criteria was that if as a pilot, you were approximately 1k feet above an arrow/beacon, you could clearly see the arrow direction and see the next beacon in the distance. Often times these arrows were at intermediate airfields (required because bi-planes didn't have much range and were sometimes unreliable). I wonder if there was an arrow between this one in your video and the one East of Sparks (maybe at Berrum Field/golf course)? Next arrow going east is N side I-80 near USA Pkwy (up on a hill). Next one east is Fernley. You can see one of the few remaining beacon towers on the hill just west of Fernley. Most towers were scrapped for steel during WWII. This one was too remote to bother with. I've visited a number of other arrows out past Lovelock and Winnemucca as well as a few in the Sierras. Love your local videos. I'm a 66 year old Reno native so I can relate :). Thanks

[@SteveTRYK]

Right on - thanks!

[@Mtnmanmike62]

Loving all your videos. Can't wait to get to Reno to enjoy a beer (or ale) with you.

[@SteveTRYK]

Cheers!

[@andyokus5735]

That's a nice wall of axes you got there. I've been here in Reno going on 3 years. I've been playing pro 46 years but can't find anyone to play with. I really enjoy all your videos. If you know someone who needs a really good pianist/guitarist/Bassist would appreciate it.

[@SteveTRYK]

If there are any, local jam nights would be a place to start. Rock on!

[@JoeK4444]

awsome work brother !!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Great video!!

[@SteveTRYK]

Hey Rich - hope all's well in guitar-land! Thanks!

[@danamunkelt3276]

The ditch doesn't begin near Verdi, but half way to Floriston. The Hole in the Wall is not original, but replaced the original route across the bluff overlooking the Truckee after repeated land slips destroyed that route. The Historical Society and County Library should have a copy of an article on the history of all the ditches written 8 or 10 years ago.

[@SoloPilot6]

The next arrow is north of I-80, just east of Sparks. Further east, the tower is still standing over the arrow overlooking Fernley.

[@SteveTRYK]

Gotta scout those out! Thanx!

[@garymunson2493]

Could you make a video of the Orr Ditch? It runs behind our house and I'm getting too old to hike it myself. Seems like it was an important part of Reno's history!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@widilbee]

FYI there is an arrow with an intact tower atop the lift #1 hill at Donner Ski Ranch. It's difficult to make out on google maps, but rest assured it's there. You can see the tower from the grill.

[@SteveTRYK]

Nice - might have to check that out!

[@Dr_Bombay]

ok, so where did you get that shirt?? it's great!

[@SteveTRYK]

The Harolds shirt? I made it - it's a one-off! Cheers!

[@Dr_Bombay]

@@SteveTRYK dang it -- that explains it. I should have known!

[@unr74]

Which direction is the arrow pointing? And roughly what street latitude wise does it line up with. Speaking of ditches- where does the Orr Ditch at UNR start and end?

[@SteveTRYK]

The arrow points roughly east - towards New York City! ;-) It's pretty much lined up with Mogul - it's tagged on Google maps. I know not of the Orr Ditch backstory. Yet!

[@dabears444]

it's W. and S.W., not N.W.