







Old N.C.O. Railroad Depot and one of its many cast lion heads integrated into the upper section of the west-facing wall (Nov. 2013)

The former depot of the Nevada-California-Oregon (N.C.O.) Railroad at 325 East Fourth Street in Reno is currently locked and in need for some major upgrading. Only the cast lion faces along the side wall are still in good shape—defending this long-abandoned building with their fierce look. If plans are coming true, the old brickstone structure from 1910 will be restored to open as a brewery and distillery in summer 2014 [RGJ, Nov. 5, 2013].



The new owners want to retain the brick exterior of the depot, which was originally designed by architect Frederic DeLongchamps—well known to Renoites. The building was housing a liquor distributorship for some time. The Golden Age of the depot lasted only as long as Reno was linked with other thriving places of the growing American West via a network of railroad lines. The N.C.O. map on the Wikipedia page illustrates Reno's northbound connectivity including Alturas in California and Klamath Falls, Eugene and The Dallas in Oregon. The State Historical Marker No. 210 in front of the building summarizes the railroad history:

This building was constructed as a passenger depot for the Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad. A narrow-guage line connecting Reno with northern California and southern Oregon.

It began operations in 1882 as the Nevada and California Railroad. Reno was its headquarters with a roundhouse, repair shops, and a storage yard situated at this location. Northward expansion of the line terminated at Lakeview, Oregon, January, 1912.

In 1917, the Western Pacific Railroad purchased the N.C.O. Line from Reno to Herlong, California, and standard gauged it. The Depot continued to serve the traveling public until 1937.

Soon, this revived landmark will open a new chapter in Reno's history, serving food and beer to the local and traveling public and perhaps triggering the creation of a brewers' district.