Nevada Historical Society
High Noon with Neal Cobb
LaVere Redfield - Mystery, Money, and Maelstrom
David Woodruff examines the story of one of Reno’s least known and most eccentric "public" figures, LaVere Redfield.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Bohos, Hucksters, and Hippies, Oh My!
Historian Michael A. Bedeau examines how Virginia City and the Comstock evolved in the 20th century from a dying mining town into a booming tourist mecca.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Set Jetting to Bucket List Locations
Neal Cobb is joined by author, film expert, and world traveler Robin Holabird to talk about films and their locations.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Sparks Marina: From Pit to Jewel
Scott Carey provides a look at the history of the Sparks Marina area and how it has transitioned from a farm to a mine to the city’s most popular park.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Life and Times of the Churchill County Museum
Mel Glover, director of the Churchill County Museum, joins Neal for a discussion of the past and future of the museum.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The History and Legends of the Brotherhood of E Clampus Vitus
Tim Pearce gives a presentation on the history of E Clampus Vitus.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Tahoe Tidbits
Jim Bonar takes us on a trip around the lake in the early 20th century and shares a collection of old photos and videos of the lake and little-known tidbits.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Historic Sutro Tunnel's Past, Present, and Future
Nathan Tobey joins Neal from the Sutro Tunnel historic site to share the history of Adolph Sutro and of the tunnel itself.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Learning About Nevada in Wild Ways
Neal Cobb is joined by Chris Orr, who has traveled throughout the Silver State as one of the co-hosts and producers of award-winning PBS Reno television series Wild Nevada.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Thunderbird Lodge
Neal shares an episode of the television show Old Tales of Nevada in which Bill Watson tells the story of the Thunderbird Lodge.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Story of Kimmie Candy
Learn how Joe Dutra, a farmer from Sacramento, started Kimmie Candy, the Reno-based company known for its exceptional confectioneries, including Sunbursts and ChocoRocks.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Reno Historical Website and App
Learn about the groundbreaking website and smart phone app Reno Historical from its editor, Dr. Alicia Barber. Administered by the Historic Reno Preservation Society, the interactive, multimedia platform features more than 260 entries (and counting!) about historic buildings, spaces, businesses, and landmarks throughout the city.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Playa Life – A Journey to Inner Space
Presenter Bob Goodman takes us on a journey through the surprising life forms that developed from the Black Rock, Toulon, and 4-Mile playas during the summers of 2021 and 2022.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
A Marvelous Feat – The 150th Anniversary of the Virginia and Gold Hill Water System
Sherry Griffin Grundy shares the story of how the Virginia and Gold Hill Water Company brought Sierra water across a route over twenty miles long.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Bartley Ranch
Neal Cobb is joined by Loren Jahn to watch and discuss an unaired episode of Home is Nevada that explored the structures at Bartley Ranch.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Reno You Know
Steve Ellison, the proprietor of the YouTube channel The Reno You Know tells us about his channel and about some past and upcoming episodes.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Home is Nevada: Animal Ark
A special viewing of Home Is Nevada, a show developed for possible programming on a major network, in which hosts Neal Cobb and Dick Stoddard get a behind-the-scenes tour at Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
World War II and Nevada
Chuck Weller relates stories of the Reno Army Air Base, a Japanese balloon bomb shot down over Reno, the gift to Admiral Halsey of a saddle from the war bond buyers of Washoe County, and more.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The People of the Comstock
Neal is joined by Garrett Barmore to talk about historic Virginia City, which at its height was the most populous city between San Francisco and St. Louis.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Celebrating Nevada 1864–2023
Brooke Santina tells us about the history of the Nevada Day Parade and shows old parade program covers and black-and-white photos of the floats from the days when showgirls from the casinos rode on them.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Eilley Orrum: Riches to Rags at Bowers Mansion
Sandie La Nae tells the story of Eilley Orrum’s life. Orrum was the epitome of a pioneer in the mid-1800s. Her life was filled with adventure, travel, riches, poverty, happiness, and disappointment.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Our Journey Through Time at the Newlands Mansion
Neal Cobb is joined by historic preservationists Melinda and Dan Gustin, who discuss their work on the Newlands Mansion, a national historic landmark that they purchased in 1984.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The History of a Historical Society
Dennis Little from the Douglas County Historical Society presents a tour of the Courthouse Museum in Genoa and the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville. Little, locally known as “Dennis at the Museum,” is a long-time resident of Douglas County, Nevada. With a passion for history, he’s actively involved with the Douglas County Historical Society, where he oversees Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville, and the Courthouse Museum in Genoa.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Sparks Then & Now Revisited
In 2005, the City of Sparks celebrated its 100th birthday. To show how the city had changed over its first hundred years, a Sparks Then and Now presentation was developed by Neal Cobb, Jerry Fenwick, Karen Dolan, and Scott Carey. This presentation revisits that program and takes a look at how things have changed in this past decade-and-a-half.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Great Fire
Joe L. Curtis discusses the 1875 Virginia City fire, which destroyed most of the city at the very apex of its mining boom.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Rocketdyne Nevada Field Laboratory
Dick Dreiling shares the little-known story of how the Reno-Sparks area contributed to the space race and the landing on the moon.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Camels in the Comstock
Guest Eric Moody examines the use of camels in early Nevada freighting, focusing chiefly on their involvement in the commerce that sprang up between Virginia City and Austin, Nevada.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
When Hollywood Came to Reno: Behind the Scenes & Seams
Karen Burns was a professional dancer who appeared in many shows, most notably Hello, Hollywood, Hello! Since then, she has purchased more than 1,250 of the original costumes from that spectacular show.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Vintage Fake News
Frank Mullen Jr. discusses vintage fake news.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Promoting the Significance of North Central Nevada History
Dana Toth, executive director of Humboldt Museum in Winnemucca, Nevada, discusses history, community, and the efforts to unite the two.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Jack Dempsey in Nevada
Long-time Nevada journalist Guy Clifton talks about Jack Dempsey's time spent in the Silver State.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Nevada Northern's Hebrew Cemeteries
Sharon Honig-Bear looks at the early days of the Jewish presence in Northern Nevada and the establishment of cemeteries for their population.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Nevada Northern Railway National Historic Landmark: Steamin' 35 years
Railroads once connected just about every town in Nevada. Today the Nevada Northern Railway is the sole survivor from this period of Nevada's history. Join the railroad's president Mark Bassett as he explains the ups and downs of operating a 19th century railroad in the 21st century.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Verdi History Center and the Verdi Public School Restoration Project
Nancy Benson and Bud Mosconi from the Verdi History Center join Neal to talk about their organization's work.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Where to Hear About Nevada History
Carol Coleman introduce us to a variety of historic resources and places in Nevada.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Donovan Mill
Established in 1860, the Donovan Mill in Silver City, Nevada, was the longest running stamp mill on the Comstock and is the largest historic stamp mill in the nation.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Erin's Isle and Beyond
Erin Breen tells us about her decades working in broadcast and print media.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Baby Face Nelson in Nevada
Michael Fischer discusses the bank robber Baby Face Nelson and his time spent here in Nevada.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Nevada Mining from Silver and Gold to Copper and Lithium
Guest Paul Franklin talks about 170 years of mining development in Nevada.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Reno '50s and '60s
Neal Cobb shares photos and stories depicting what life was like in Reno during the 1950s and 1960s.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Friends of the Nevada Wilderness and the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
Pat Bruce, stewardship program director for the Friends of Nevada Wilderness, gives a short history of his organization and the work it does for Nevada, with a focus on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
History of the Word War II USO Canteen Ladies of North Platte, Nebraska
Larry Kirk shares the story of the volunteers in North Platte, Nebraska, who served more than six million service men and women during World War II. The North Platte Canteen remains the single biggest movement of volunteerism in the United States to date.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Nevada's Times in Rhymes
Neal is joined by Jerry Aaron, whose book Nevada’s Times in Rhymes helps young people gain an understanding of Nevada’s past and present.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Finding and Restoring Part of the Reno Fire Department's Past
Retired firefighter Jon D. Wagner tells how a 1917 American LaFrance ladder truck formerly owned by the Reno Fire Department was returned to Reno and restored over the course of 15 years.
Nevada Military Women
Learn about women from Nevada who have served in the military, from the very first ones to those who serve today. Presenter Anne Davis graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1982 and served on active duty in the Army for 29 years, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
American Mountain Men
Larry Walker discusses the beaver trappers of the fur trade era (1800-1840) and explains how an organization he works with, American Mountain Men, researches and teaches the skills and history of these important pathfinders.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
19th and 20th Century Painters of Nevada
Gallery owner, appraiser, and publisher Jack Bacon presents this overview of the major 19th and 20th century painters of Nevada. Based on the first comprehensive biographical dictionary on the subject ever published, this presentation covers artists from the early days of western exploration and the Latimer School of the early 20th century.
Nevada Barn Heritage
Jack Hursh tells us about his photographs of historic, Northern Nevada barns.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Ballooning in the Truckee Meadows
Ramon Seelback tells us all about ballooning in and around the Truckee Meadows.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Preserving One of the UNR Gateway Homes
Loren Jahn discusses his efforts to relocate and restore a Queen Anne cottage that was threatened by the UNR Gateway District expansion.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Origin and Evolution of the Basque Hotel
Dr. Michael E. Fischer discusses the origin and evolution of Basque hotels in Nevada.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Model Dairy
Neal is joined by Neil Brooks, whose grandfather started Model Dairy in Reno more than a century ago.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
Behind the Arch
Joyce Cox discusses how Reno and Northern Nevada were advertised and promoted in the 1920s through the 1970s.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Pony Express
Neal is joined by historian, educator, and native Nevadan Sam Macaluso, who discusses the Pony Express. Established just over 160 years ago, the horseback delivery service ran from Missouri to California and included 29 relay stations across Nevada.
High Noon with Neal Cobb
The Blackrock Desert
Neal Cobb is joined by Jim Bonar, who discusses the history of the Black Rock Desert: who lived there, who were the first non-native settlers, what is happening there today?
High Noon with Neal Cobb
My Lives as a Chautauqua Performer
Frank Mullen Jr. discusses his life as a Chautauqua performer. Mullen has depicted historical figures including Henry VIII, Babe Ruth, Benedict Arnold, Edward R. Murrow, and Albert Einstein.
Early Reno
Based on the Images of America book, Early Reno, this presentation makes use of Nevada Historical Society archived photos of Reno businesses, schools, churches, hospitals, and other significant elements of life in Reno starting in 1868. Presented by Linda Burke, who has been a docent at the Nevada Historical Society for 23 years.
Nevada's First Senator
Starting in 1859, William M. Stewart led the battle for Nevada statehood. Known as the Father of American Mining Law and author of the 15th Constitutional Amendment, Stewart brought international recognition to our young state, and his death was noted throughout the United States and in foreign nations. Presented by Nevada Historical Society docent Lorraine Petersen.
Washoe County
Joyce Cox discusses early Washoe County history and images included in her book Washoe County, part of the Images of America series. Joyce is a docent of the Nevada Historical Society, a member of the Nevada Women’s History Project, writing and researching the lives of the First Ladies of Nevada, and she has served as treasurer, finance chair, and membership chair in the Nevada Library Association.
Early Reno
Based on the Images of America book Early Reno, this presentation by Nevada Historical Society docent Pam Walker makes use of Nevada Historical Society archived photos of Reno businesses, schools, churches, hospitals and other significant elements of life in Reno starting in 1868.
Gaming as a Microcosm of American History
Marc Ullom discusses the history of gaming and shows us some of the historical artifacts in the Nevada Historical Society archives.
Mining: Then & Now
Historian and storyteller Sam Macaluso tells the story of mining in Nevada: from the deposits of obsidian, opalite, chalcedony, agate, jasper, and quartz that were utilized by the early inhabitants of Nevada to fashion arrowheads, spear points, and various tools, to gold mining in the 1850s, to the open-pit mining of today.
Gambling: It's Older Than You Think
Marc Ullom discusses the background and history of gambling across cultures and continents. Ullom is currently a docent and the treasurer of the Docent Council at the Nevada Historical Society. He works on the American Gaming Archives at the Nevada Historical Society.
Before Reno & Sparks
Early settlers in the Truckee Meadows knew nothing of Reno or Sparks. Instead, they lived in communities like Eastman Mill and Brown's Crossing -- villages whose names no longer appear on modern maps. This talk offers a quick look at some of these forgotten places.
