Reno — The Six-Week Pact

Your investigation begins at the Washoe County Courthouse, 75 Court St, Reno, NV 89501. This is where thousands of divorce petitions were filed, marking the beginning and end of many life stories in Reno. In the 1930s, Nevada law allowed divorce after just six weeks of residency, attracting women from across the country, dubbed 'six-weekers'. This building was the scene of decisions that shaped the city's image as a haven of marital freedom.

The route then leads you to the Riverside Hotel, an iconic establishment that housed many 'six-weekers' awaiting their divorce. Opened in 1927, this Spanish Colonial Revival style building offered a luxurious and discreet refuge. It symbolizes the lifestyle of divorce seekers, who spent their time between bridge games, cocktails, and visits to the Nevada landscapes, all while fulfilling the required residency period. The Riverside Hotel is a central witness to this unique era in Reno.

Continue to Wingfield Park, a peaceful green space along the Truckee River. This park was a place of relaxation and meeting for Reno's temporary residents. Far from the tensions of the courts, the 'six-weekers' found respite there, enjoying the natural setting to reflect on their future or forge new relationships. This site represents the duality of Reno: a city of strict legal procedures, but also a place of escape and renewal for those passing through.

The Virginia Street Bridge, a historic bridge spanning the Truckee River, is another stop on your investigation. According to popular tradition, divorced women threw their wedding rings into the river from this bridge, symbolizing their newfound freedom. This gesture, rooted in local culture, became a strong image of Reno and its role in American divorce history. The bridge, rebuilt several times since its 19th-century origins, remains a key crossing point for the city and its narrative.

Your quest concludes in front of the Reno Arch, the city's luminous icon. First erected in 1926 to promote the Transcontinental Highway Exposition, the arch was later modified to proclaim 'The Biggest Little City in the World'. It was under this arch that 'six-weekers' arrived and departed, taking with them a new identity. This edifice embodies the promise of new opportunities that Reno offered to its visitors and residents throughout the 20th century.