Washoe County is a growing area located along the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada in western Nevada. The county covers an area of 6,600 square miles in the northwest section of the state bordering California and Oregon and has a population of 333,566. The county seat is Reno, the third largest city in Nevada.

Settled first by the Washoe natives, Reno was a gathering area used for festivals and ceremonies. In 1859, it first gained prominence in Nevada when it was known as “Fuller's Ferry” and later “Lake's Crossing.” Eventually the town grew around the Truckee River as the wagons traveling to the Comstock Lode in Virginia City had to load and unload supplies and food. Known then as a town called the “End of the Track,” Reno was incorporated as a city in 1903. The city was then renamed after General Jesse Lee Reno, a Union officer of the Civil War.

Gambling was legal in Nevada until 1910 when the “Progressives,” a moral majority-type group, succeeded in getting it banned. From there gambling went underground using cigar stores as a front for operations. These “cigar store” casinos allowed organized crime to move in and get involved. In 1931, gambling was legalized again in hopes that it would help boost the economy during the depression. Finally in 1935, Harold's Club was opened as the newest in gaming operations and atmosphere.

Reno was Nevada’s original gambling and divorce capital - gaining national attention in the 1930s and ’40s for its wide-open attitudes. Today, visitors can enjoy a visit to Reno’s National Automobile Museum and the Nevada Museum of Art, or stroll the shaded grounds of the University of Nevada, Reno, the state’s oldest college. The university has 12,500 students in 10 schools and colleges, contributing to the community's culture and diversity.

Set in the surreal natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada, Reno/Lake Tahoe's season of fun lasts all year. Blue skies, warm days and cool nights offer year-round outdoor recreation. With more annual snowfall than Utah or Colorado, Lake Tahoe's resorts guarantee skiing and riding fun into late spring. That is why you can hit the slopes in the morning and golf in the afternoon at one of Reno/Lake Tahoe's 39 golf courses, even in March!

From magnificent Lake Tahoe - which Mark Twain once called “the fairest picture the whole earth affords” - to historic Virginia City, site of one of the West’s greatest mining booms, the Reno-Tahoe Territory contains many of Nevada’s most scenic and historic recreation areas.

At the north end of the territory is the Black Rock Desert, a vast playa of limitless vistas and stark beauty. Black Rock was the site of the first breaking of the sound barrier by a vehicle on land, accomplished in 1997 when the rocket-powered Thrust SSC car traveled 763.035 miles per hour. South of Black Rock is Pyramid Lake, a remnant of a prehistoric inland sea that once covered much of Nevada. The lake is ringed by intriguing tufa rock formations and offers fishing and boating.

The city of Sparks has grown from a sleepy railroad town to a resort center with hotel-casinos offering round-the-clock gaming, gourmet dining, and entertainment. Downtown Sparks is the location of Victorian Square, a popular public gathering area that hosts unique special events including rib cook-offs, car shows, and festivals.

Twenty-four miles southeast of Reno is historic Virginia City. The photogenic 19th-century community is the heart of the Comstock mining district, which was one of the West’s largest silver discoveries. The Comstock mining district gave up tons of gold and silver to miners and once represented the richest of lifestyles. Virginia City remains the main attraction of the district today with its wooden sidewalks and false-front saloons, restaurants, and businesses. Visitors can take a ride on the reconstructed Virginia & Truckee Railroad, which operates between Virginia City and the adjacent mining town of Gold Hill, or visit the many museums that line its steep streets.

Carson City is the state capital. Located 30 miles south of Reno, the city offers numerous points of historic interest including the Nevada State Museum and the Nevada State Railroad Museum. The Kit Carson Trail is a self-guided tour of the city’s historic district and winds past dozens of large Victorian homes that were once owned by the state’s most prominent businessmen and politicians.

Reno is home to a number of exciting housing developments. Scotch Pine Estates is nestled in the treeline below the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Just minutes from both downtown Reno and beautiful Lake Tahoe, Scotch Pine Estates is surrounded by some of the most exciting recreational opportunities in Nevada. The community offers 44 homesites from one to 13 acres featuring peaceful views of Reno and the Washoe Valley. One-acre lots begin at under $100,000. Larger estate lots are also available.

Lakeside Ranch Estates is comprised of 15 custom ranch estates located in one of Reno's most desirable prime neighborhoods. This unique community offers expansive lots starting from two acres plus. Lakeside Ranch Estates comes with all the details for perfect country living and offers majestic mountain views. It is zoned for horses and is truly a paradise for horse lovers, since it has ample water rights. Prices range form $275,000 to $400,000.