Victorian Square: then and now

1975 vs 2011 · Sparks, NV

NowThen

Then, 1975This photo shows Southern Pacific No. 8 in Carson City in 1975. It is the same engine that Union Pacific says is now on loan here, shown in a different town, so this is a looser match, not the same spot.Photo: The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company · CC BY 2.0 · Source · resized

Today, 2011The square keeps the railroad theme, with a train-style shelter on Victorian Avenue. Photo taken in 2011, so details may have changed.Photo: Ken Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source · resized

The story

Sparks began in 1904 when the Southern Pacific Railroad moved its terminal here from Wadsworth. The new town was named for Nevada governor John Sparks.

Victorian Square is the town’s historic heart. Union Pacific says it shows Southern Pacific Engine No. 8, on loan from the Nevada State Railroad Museum.

Sparks Heritage Museum sits nearby on Victorian Avenue, with local history from the railroad years.

Did you know? The town was first called East Reno, then Harriman, before it was renamed for the governor in April 1904.

Historians argue about this. The photo of Engine No. 8 here was taken in Carson City, not Sparks. The engine only came to Victorian Square later, so the “Then” is the same engine in another place, not the same view. The 2011 “Now” photo shows the shelter, not the engine itself.

Fact or tall tale?

SolidSparks was named for a Nevada governor.
Sources agree it was named for Governor John Sparks in 1904.
Not trueSparks has always been called Sparks.
It was first called East Reno and then Harriman before the 1904 renaming.

Sources

More: Look for historic photos at the Library of Congress

Stamp it in person

Go there, answer the question that only someone standing at Victorian Square can answer, and add the stamp to your passport. Free, no sign-up.

Play Sparks

More in Sparks

Next: Railroad Shops. Written from the cited sources, not yet walked on site unless noted.