Reno’s history is woven tightly into the city’s identity. A quick Google search will reveal a community shaped by restless pioneers, geothermal energy beneath our feet, and decades of tales told of the mansions along the Truckee River.
Whether you believe in ghosts or simply love a good story, Reno’s supernatural lore offers a unique entry into understanding the Biggest Little City’s past. The historic mansions, hotels, and buildings dotting downtown and midtown Reno illuminate the cultural memory where frontier grit, Wild West legends, and modern curiosity collide, inviting visitors and locals alike to explore Reno with fresh eyes and to let their imaginations run wild.
Ted Moore, the host of the show Paranormal NV, which airs on KTVN 2, says, “I think the city is slowly embracing its [supposed] haunted past. Paranormal tourism is booming and we have a lot of out-of-state groups coming in for tours.”
Myron Lake: Reno’s Controversial Founder
Myron Lake arrived in California from Illinois in 1852 to try his hand at gold mining. In 1857, he settled at Honey Lake, near Susanville trading a horse and $50 for two acres of land. By 1861, he’d purchased holdings on the Truckee River, operating a bridge and toll road. He married and had one child, all while continuing to build his investments in the Truckee Meadows, including a lake house with stables and a barn.
Myron had a reputation of being unkind and a shrewd businessman. His actions toward Reno’s early citizens hurt and angered people, causing many to turn against Lake. In the 1870s, his greed led to issues with the Washoe County Commission, who challenged his Truckee River franchise.
After more than ten years of unhappiness, the Lakes divorced in 1879. He ended up with Lake Mansion, which was built in 1877, and purchased by Lake in 1879 for $5,000.
Originally built at the corner of California Avenue and Virginia Street, Lake’s ex-wife and son inherited the house upon Myron’s death in 1884. In 1971, Lake Mansion was moved near the Convention Center and in 2004 it landed in its final resting place at the corner of Court Street and Arlington Avenue.
Roy Frisch: Reno’s Most Enduring Unsolved Mystery
Perhaps even more alluring is the mystery of Roy Frisch. Raised in Reno, Frisch served in World War I before becoming a Reno city councilman and Washoe County Assessor. When he vanished without a trace in March 1934, he was head cashier at Riverside Bank.
Many allege his disappearance is connected to his planned testimony against William Graham and James McKay, who were known as the overlords of Reno’s underworld. The night Frisch disappeared, after leaving home to see a movie, notorious bank robber Baby Face Nelson was in town. Frisch never came home, although it’s believed his mother heard the front door open and heavy footsteps going upstairs about the time he should have arrived.
There was the soft flicker of the porch light at the old Frisch house, said to glow as if guiding him in. The grounds were never searched before the house burned down, leaving Frisch’s fate—and possible resting place—forever unresolved.
Beyond Lake and Frisch: Ghosts of Founders & Frontier Figures
It wasn’t just Myron and Frisch who left his mark on the Biggest Little City. Moore doesn’t hesitate when asked which figures still turn up. “It’s the Peckhams.” Their family history touches everything from the former Silver Peak location on Wonder Street, to ranch land, to a single-family home within city limits. These stories aren’t just ghost tales—they’re windows into Reno’s political and social evolution.
Historic neighborhoods reflect that evolution, too. The mansions of the Old Southwest carry echoes of political power, while the Powning District and Commercial Row pulse with the energy of Reno’s working-class past. The Brewery District, established in 1903, remains one of the city’s oldest industrial corridors.
According to Moore, the Washoe County Courthouse also belongs on this list. “The old jail used to be located behind the courthouse,” he says. He recalls the story of Elizabeth Potts, who was a wife, mother, and homemaker in Elko in the 1800s.
Elizabeth and her husband, Josiah, have been connected to the disappearance of Miles Faucett in 1888. He was a miner and rancher who stayed with the Potts family when he passed through Carlin. One day, he was seen hitching his horses to his wagon before going back inside the house—after which he was never seen again. At the time, Carlin was very transient so nobody paid his absence much mind. Josiah told anyone who asked that Faucett had sold the Potts all his worldly possessions, and Josiah possessed the bill of sale.
Not long after, the Potts family relocated to Wyoming, while George and Amelia Brewer rented the Potts’ home. Amelia was spooked by odd occurrences in the house and an investigation led to the discovery of a pocketknife engraved with Faucett’s name in the basement.
The Eerie Waterways of Northern Nevada
Courtney Meredith, chief creative officer at Design on Edge, told the story of the Stone Mother out at Pyramid Lake. In Northern Paiute tradition, Stone Mother is the grieving mother of the Paiute people. After journeying north to find the father of all Indian people, she married him and raised many children. When their eldest son caused so much conflict that the father separated the siblings—sending some west and leaving the peaceful children with their mother—her heart broke. She sat facing the Pitt River country, crying day after day for the children she lost. Her tears formed Pyramid Lake, and she eventually turned to stone. Today, she remains on the lake’s eastern shore with her basket beside her, a sacred reminder of origin, love, and enduring sorrow.
Another myth about Pyramid Lake that continues to persist is that of the water babies. As Meredith tells it, “According to traditional legend, a great chief experienced the birth of a child who faced significant physical challenges and [didn’t survive]... It is said that when the moon rises and the desert falls silent, travelers may hear the distant sounds of cries across the water. Those who follow these sounds are said to disappear mysteriously, becoming part of the lake's enduring mystery.”
Personal Encounters & Local Anecdotes
Moore spoke of having vivid dreams about a deceased undercover detective from Verdi in the early 1980s. He says, “a Detective Hoyt was kidnapped during an undercover sting. The kidnappers took him out to a barn in Verdi [and he was never seen again]. I’ve dreamt about being the detective and knowing [what happened to him].”
Other destinations Moore and Meredith cite for fanatics include Louis’ Basque Corner, Morrill Hall on the UNR campus, Lincoln Hall (a former Civil War Barracks), The Brewer’s Cabinet, Ross Manor, and the former Granite Street Eatery.
Each have their own accounts of what goes on inside these walls, but for interested parties it’s perhaps better to experience it yourself.
Tourism, Storytelling & Preservation
Nevadans are increasingly beginning to recognize this history as both a tourism asset and a cultural resource. Reno’s stories are rich with Wild West grit, mob intrigue, Hollywood glamour, and frontier resilience. Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Mädchen Amick, and Sammy Davis Jr. all left their marks on the city’s narrative.
Balancing folklore with historical accuracy is part of the work. “Paranormal brings an interest to the history,” Moore says. “It opens the door for younger generations to learn.” In a transient city like Reno, official records tell only part of the story. Personal experiences—those whispered tales passed down through families—fill in the gaps.
For those who are interested in exploring some of Reno’s sordid history themselves, the Riverwalk Haunts map will guide visitors to ten of the city’s most notable spots. If you’re interested in a guided tour, US Ghost Adventures offers nightly ventures in Reno.
However, Reno’s eerie history isn’t just about its rumored ghosts. It’s about connection—to the land, to the people who came before, and to the stories that shaped the city. These tales invite visitors to explore Reno with curiosity and openness.
Meredith hopes these stories inspire people to dive deeper into Reno’s rich and vibrant history. “Our city is filled with tales from the Wild West, groundbreaking inventions, the Comstock era, and countless mysteries and legends. It’s these stories that drew people here and continue to draw visitors today.”
“We need to do a better job of preserving our history,” Moore says.
Meredith notes, “it would be great to draw attention to these historical locations.” Brewer's Cabinet even made their own beer, Apparition Double IPA, named after one of four ghosts who supposedly haunt the location.
And depending who serves you, you may get regaled with stories of what staff alleges they experience on site. All you have to do is ask.