The National Automobile Museum hosted a party celebrating the original Reno Arch, built 100 years ago.
We spoke with folks from the museum, who shared how excited they were to be part of the celebration and said it's an honor to remember those who made it happen.
Phil MacDougall, the President of the National Automobile Museum, said, "They had the governor of California, they had the governor of Nevada. They had the mayor. It was a big deal. 100 years later, we're still celebrating this, so it means something special to the community and for all those people that helped make it happen. We're just acknowledging them and all their hard work.”
In 1926, the cost to make the arch was $5,500, and in 1929 the slogan "The Biggest Little City in the World" was added, as stated in an article from the Reno Historical.
This was a great chance to enjoy conversations you don't usually hear every day.
They’re happy to be a part of this moment that they say shouldn't be forgotten.
MacDougall also told us, "I'm very grateful for the people in the town, in the city, who got together and said, ‘Listen, this shouldn't be overlooked. This is something very special, and it's right here, and it represents us and the whole city, and it's a welcoming sign. 100 years later, we're still welcoming people, and we're still celebrating it, so we must be doing something right."
Folks with the auto museum said people may drive by the arch daily and not remember what it truly means to this city.
"You look up and you say, 100 years, you go, oh, my Lord, look what we've done. Look what we've accomplished. Look at the skyline. Look at the people. Look at the community we built, and we just need a little awakening once in a while, and when people look up, and you see that classic sign, you can't help but go back in time and just kind of remember some of the things that made us so special," said MacDougall.
This celebration is meant to get folks together to reminisce on the old times, but also think about how far the city has come.
