RSIC Fact Sheet
To learn more about the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony levee, click here.Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Buried Treasure!
Buried Treasure!
To see a video on this topic, please visit Truckee River Flood Project's YouTube Channel.
Not long after construction began in January on the much anticipated floodwall and levee at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony site, buried treasure was discovered!
Large pieces of stone, a variety of other building materials and a large chunk of granite bearing the letters "CITY H" were found. There was much anticipation that this may have been part of the demolished Reno City Hall building that was located at the corners of Center and First Streets (pictured at left) until 1963. The exciting confirmation was made by the Nevada Historical Society and for now, the sign is being stored at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City. The hope is that the three missing letters might turn up as work on the levee progresses, after which the sign could be put on public display somewhere in Reno. Other items from the demolished building including the clock have been unearthed as well.
The floodwall and levee project is the first "flood damage reduction" feature to be built and is just one of the more than 40 features included in the Truckee River Flood Project. The earthen levee and concrete floodwall will protect from a 1997-type flood, improve access to the river for recreation and manage flood waters to protect life and property. A new Walmart is also scheduled to begin construction on the site this year.
The project, expected to be finished by summer, is on-time and on-budget, said Naomi Duerr, flood project director.
Discovery of the old city hall debris is a noteworthy surprise, she said.
"You never know what you're going to find when you go digging," Duerr said. "If we weren't doing the project it would have been buried forever. It's a fortuitous occurrence."