UNR Campus is an unexpected surprise in downtown Reno
Statue of Comstock Mining Millionaire John Mackay stands guard over the University of Nevada, Reno campusOn a recent weekend, I found myself wandering around the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno, located directly north of downtown Reno’s casino core.At this time of year, the setting is picturesque with the sun high overhead, the air carrying a hint of fall and some of the trees were starting to lose their leaves. n other words, a great place to take a break from the bright casino lights.UNR looks like a college campus should with its lush lawn and ivy-covered brick buildings. Much of the credit for UNR’s classic look goes to the heirs of Comstock silver baron John Mackay. In the early part of the 20th century, the Mackay family donated more than $1.5 million to establish the Mackay School of Mining and develop a campus plan.Noted 19th century New York architect Stanford White’s firm was hired to create the Quad (short for quadrangle, which is the large rectangular open area in the center of the campus) and the mining school. White also designed the original Madison Square Garden in New York.The firm based look of the elm-lined Quad on Thomas Jefferson’s design of the University of Virginia Lawn, which is also an open expanse of grass lined with trees that serves as the heart of that university.Most of UNR’s most historic and picturesque buildings surround the Quad. In fact, that part of the campus has been designated as a National Historic District.At the north end of the Quad is one of the campus’ most impressive structures, the Mackay School of Mines Building, erected in 1908, and commissioned by Clarence Mackay, John’s son.The mining school is an attractive, two-story, brick and stone structure that houses the DeLaMare Library, one of the world’s largest collections of mining books, and the W.M. Keck Museum, which has more than 6,000 mineral samples and fossils.Additionally, there is a display of the Mackay Silver Collection, designed in 1876 by the famed Tiffany’s jewelers of New York. The full collection includes 1,350 pieces crafted by 200 silversmiths over a two-year period, using 14,718 ounces of Comstock silver.In front of the school is a bronze statue of John Mackay that is noteworthy because it was created by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who later carved Mount Rushmore.At the opposite end of the Quad is Morrill Hall, the first building erected on the Reno campus after the state relocated the university to Reno from Elko. Constructed in 1885, the four-story brick structure originally housed the entire university offices and classrooms.Of course, the best thing about the campus is just sitting on the lawn, soaking in all the history and ambience. And if you bring along a picnic lunch, life doesn’t get much better than this.—–Richard Moreno
