History
Before March 15, 1905
There may not be another city in the land that came to life in quite the unique way Sparks did. It’s a custom-made town, tailored ordered by the Southern Pacific Railway Company. In 1902, there was nothing but swampland and ranches four miles east of Reno.
When Southern Pacific succeeded Central Pacific as the new owner of the mainline across Northern Nevada, one of the first decisions made was to straighten the road and cut a few miles off the distance. The new route bypassed Wadsworth, which for 40 years had ruled the roundhouse and maintenance shops of Central Pacific.
Southern Pacific made a startling offer to its Wadsworth employees; A tract of land would be laid out next to the roundhouse, and the railroad would give everyone clear deed to a lot 50′ X 140′ in size, and to add to the miracle, the railroad offered to pack up every house in Wadsworth and ship it to the new town, free of charge. Sometime during the summer of 1903, a drawing was held- the employee's names in one hat, lot numbers in another- and everyone got what they got. Sixty-seven lots changed title that day, at a price of $1 per lot.
Sparks was born…
For more information on the history of Sparks, please visit the Sparks Heritage Museum website or visit the museum at 814 Victorian Avenue…the corner of Victorian and Pyramid right next to Last Chance Joe.
About Sparks
Visit Sparks, Nevada, and learn about our beautiful, family-oriented city of about 120,000 residents. We’re located in the Truckee Meadows between the Carson and Virginia Mountain Ranges at an elevation of nearly 4,500 feet. Less than an hour’s drive from Lake Tahoe, we share our beautiful valley on the eastern slope of the Sierra with Reno, our neighbor to the west. Our climate is mild, with lots of sun, low humidity and rainfall, and a full four seasons. The City is the closest metropolitan area to the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center, home to Tesla Motors’ gigafactory.
Sparks is in close proximity to the University of Nevada, Reno, a Tier One university. Since the 1990’s Sparks has grown tremendously, offering residents and visitors a wide array of services and activities. Quality of life is cited as one of the main reasons people relocate to Sparks. Summer and winter outdoor activities abound!
The city’s Community Services and Planning Department and the Sparks Redevelopment Agency work in tandem with current business owners and new developers to provide a business-friendly environment to pursue responsible economic activities. The Sparks industrial area provides opportunities for a wide range of businesses to open or expand their operations in western Nevada, with excellent commercial and cargo air (Reno-Tahoe International Airport), surface (I-80 and U.S. 395), and rail (Union Pacific) transportation at one’s doorstep.
Sparks is a premier special events venue for northern Nevada. Our Victorian Square brings thousands of visitors to legacy annual events, including the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook, Hot August Nights, and Sparks Hometowne Christmas. The city is well known for its outstanding Parks and Recreation system, designed to appeal to young and old alike, with nearly 50 neighborhood parks, regional sports facilities, and an unusually large number of fun and exciting recreation programs for pre-schoolers to senior citizens.
Whitewater Park at Rock Park is the perfect location for kayaking, tubing, and rafting for all skill levels. The park features shade and play structures, picnic areas, restrooms, parking, and access for people with disabilities.
Golden Eagle Regional Park, located on 450 acres east of Wingfield Springs, is a national destination for sports tournaments. The facility consists of softball fields, baseball fields, youth baseball/softball fields, a stadium-size soccer/football field, multi-purpose fields, and even volleyball and bocce ball courts. Plenty of sporting fun for the whole family!
Sparks’ “gem” is the picturesque Sparks Marina. Eighty acres of water accommodate swimming, boating, fishing, scuba diving, paddle boarding and picnicking facilities, and breath-taking views of the nearby mountains. The Sparks Marina has become a destination for water sports competitions and shows the International Dragon Boat Festival. Few other cities in the country can offer such an amenity to their residents and visitors. 
The Legends Outlet Mall at Sparks Marina is a shopping experience like no other in northern Nevada. In addition to the exciting group of retail, restaurant, and entertainment options, The Legends includes Scheels All-Sports Store, the largest total sports store in the world! The store features two 16,000 gallon aquariums; a 35-foot tall, 800-square foot wildlife taxidermy mountain; and a 65-foot, 16 car operating Ferris wheel.
Also at Legends is northern Nevada’s only IMAX – Galaxy Luxury Theaters. Adjacent to the Legends is Wild Island Family Adventure Park, with countless family activities including a water park, bowling, go-carts, miniature golf, and much, much more.
The Legends honors legends of Nevada in athletics, music, exploration, science, technology, politics, and art, recognizing the people who truly have made the area unique. The Legends theme is interwoven through the landscape, hardscape, amenities, and architectural motif, offering an experience in Nevada’s history, heritage, and environment.
The city provides a full range of municipal services including police, fire, public works, wastewater treatment, municipal court, code enforcement, business licensing, etc. Call customer service at Sparks city hall at 775.353.5555 for directions to any city department.
Come discover Sparks, Nevada. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!