Preserve Nevada recently released its annual list of several historic sites needing attention.
Multiple theaters were featured on the preservation list, including:
- The Lear Theater in Reno;
- The Gem Theater in Pioche;
- The Fallon Theatre in Fallon;
- The Crystal Theatre in Elko;
- The Nevada Theatre in Wells;
- The McGill Theatre in McGill;
- The Central Theatre in Ely;
- The Capital Theatre in Ely;
- The Cinadome in Hawthorne, and
- The Boulder Theatre in Boulder City.
The Bethel AME Church at 220 Bell St. in Reno was also featured. The church, constructed in 1910, served Reno’s African-American community and even functioned as a meeting spot for civil rights activists in the 1950s and 1960s. There have been recent attempts to develop near the property, which would restrict its access to nearby streets and alleys.
Hannah’s Hideaway, a cabin in Lake Tahoe, is also on the list. The property is in dire need of maintenance and stabilization.
The Nevada Northern Railway Depot in Ely has faced a series of legal battles that have stalled rehabilitation projects. The State of Nevada has owned the depot and freight building since the 1990s. The Nevada Northern Foundation owns other parts of the property and has sued the State over its unrestricted access and lack of upkeep/repairs.
The Nishika Laundry Building in Gardnerville was originally a school when it was built in 1876. The property has been vacant since 1989 and recently was damaged when it was hit by a vehicle. The City of Gardnerville and the building’s owner are currently pursuing funds for cleanup/demolition.
The Elko County Public Defender’s Office at 569 Court St. in Elko also made the list. The building was constructed in 1896 as the first public high school in the state. The building has served a variety of purposes since its construction.
The Old Mormon Fort in Las Vegas is the state’s oldest building, originally constructed in 1855. The City of Las Vegas intends to raze a nearby office building, which has raised concerns regarding the area’s preservation. The final entry to the list was the Micca House at 120 Bridge St. in Paradise Valley. The building was originally constructed in 1905 and served as a local hub for Italian-Americans. (Source)
