2800 Pioneer Dr, Reno, NV 89509

Horseman's Park

Park Description:

Horseman’s Park is a 12-acre Reno park without restrooms.

Park Amenities:

Horse arena and trails.

Park Highlights

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Park History

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Horseman's Park

The land that is now Horseman’s park used to belong to the Caughlin’s Ranch and was purchased by the Lakeridge Development around 1990. The Lakeridge Developers, Alan Mears and Sam Jaksick, Jr, purchased the land from Betsy Caughlin Donnelly and Syrene Caughlin Seagrave, daughters of Crissie Caughlin, original owner of Reno’s well known Caughlin Ranch.

Image:
Caitlin Amburgey.

The Steamboat Ditch Trail

In 1874, George Andrews moved his family to Reno, after spending time apart from his wife while working in the harsh conditions of the Virginia City mines. His wife, Bettie Andrews lived in California prior to her relocation. He purchased land on what is now Mayberry drive and his property seemed lifeless and was incredibly dry. However, his engineering skills contributed to the development of The Steamboat Ditch trail, known as “The Last Chance Ditch”. The ditch was given this title because it was the last chance to get water from the Truckee River on this side of the state (between California and Nevada). As previously mentioned, the trail was engineered by George Andrews. However, Chinese laborers in the same time frame directly contributed to the construction of this ditch. It was vital to ranchers and farmers because it serves as the longest ditch trail in the region, this remains true today. Because the ditch rests at high elevation, it provides necessary water flow to lower water sources throughout Reno. In addition, historian Myron Angel commented on the importance of this ditch in 1881. In his book History of Nevada, he wrote “the water of Steamboat Creek and several irrigation ditches supply the necessary moisture for the crops, of which alfalfa, grain and vegetables are a great staple”. Figure 1 shows Steamboat Creek, the staple waterway that Angel references. Steamboat Creek diverges into several pathways including a connection along the Steamboat Ditch trail. Angel and many historians of Northern Nevada emphasized the importance of these ditches, as they were vital to local wildlife and vegetation.

Image:
Provided by One Truckee River.

A Family Feud

George did not own the land long, after his wife Bettie divorced him for drunkenness, adultery and foul language. Sherriff William H. Caughlin hand delivered his divorce papers. From the divorce, George received 2 colts and $2,000 and Crissie, his daughter got 40 of their ranch acres. Two years earlier while Crissie was attending the University of Nevada to get a teaching license, her brother was kicked by a horse in the gut and subsequently died. The young woman was now left in charge of the ranch and her mother, who had never fully recovered from the loss of her husband and her son.

Crissie worked tirelessly to make the ranch a success but it came to a choice for her; either sell her ranch or marry a man that could help her keep the ranch. On February 12th, 1895, she married Sherriff William H. Caughlin (30 years her senior) on the ranch and the ranch became known as Caughlin Ranch but ownership of the ranch remained in Crissie’s name. In 1896, Crissie’s mother died and that left Crissie to inherit the entire 2,070-acre ranch. Crissie continued to buy property until she had almost 6,000 acres. These acres spanned from Hunter Creek on the west to Ferris Lane on the east and Southwest to Skyline Boulevard and into the foothills where the Caughlin Ranch shopping center and housing is today.

As Crissie’s and William’s family grew, their home on Mill street proved to be too small. So, they decided to move their entire family into the ranch area she originally lived years prior. William wanted a home with more space and noticed a two story orphanage home in Virginia City that caught his eye. The orphanage was estimated to have closed down in 1897, and William had the home transported to Reno at the turn of the 20th century. However, getting it down the windy road would be too difficult - so it is rumored the house was dismembered in parts and rebuilt again. The original architecture of this home still stands today, on the corner of McCarran and Mayberry Drive. It is now a Garden Shop Nursery.

Image:
William and Crissie Caughlin, March 5, 1892 before their marriage. Source: Find a Grave, added by Mark’s Mom.

Urban Development: Caughlin Ranch

Crisse and William had three children, who took ownership of the ranch in 1955. William Cauglin passed away years prior and Crissie passed at 80 years old in 1955. The three children decided selling the land would be the easiest and most profitable option for the family. By 1980, all three children were in their eighties and not willing to maintain the properties. Don Lonie was a property developer from Oregon who saw big potential in the land, having a vision of jogging paths, trails and urban development. Don purchased the property and fell in love with Sheila Seagrave (daughter of Crissie), the two were married in 1984. Over the years Don spent time engineering his new design, including the development of three major parks we know and love today: Horseman’s Park, Crissie Cauglin and Caughlin Donnelley.

Image:
Caitlin Amburgey.

Get Involved!

Donate:

Make a donation to support the Parks Project or your favorite Parks Foundation program, project, or wherever its needed! Click here to donate today.

Volunteer:

Support our parks by volunteering with the Parks Foundation! Attend a volunteer event or choose an ongoing role. Click here to explore opportunities.

iNaturalist:

Out in our parks or open spaces? Try cataloguing the biodiversity around you with iNaturalist! All it takes is downloading the iNaturalist app onto your phone to get started.

Curious what's been seen in this park? Click the link below to see what species other have spotted!

Horseman's Park on iNaturalist

Contact:

Have a question about our parks or the Parks Project? Email us at parksproject@tmparksfoundation.org!

Want To Learn More?

References & Further Info:

City of Reno Parks & Facilities Directory - Horseman's Park
Lonie, Sheila. Crissie Caughlin - Pioneer. 2004.
Walton - Buchanan, Holly. From Land of the Buckaroo: Historic Ranches of Western Nevada. Jack Bacon and Company, 2013.
Reno Gazette Journal Archives (1870 to present) https://www.washoecountylibrary.us/downloads/rgj-archives.php
Marcus, Emerson. Reno Gazette Journal, 2013. https://www.rgj.com/story/askthergj/2013/05/16/where-does-the-steamboat-ditch-originate-and-go-is-it-safe-for-my-dog-to-drink/5675003/
One Truckee River, 2017. https://onetruckeeriver.org/2017/11/truckee-river-watershed-steamboat-creek/

Contributor(s):

Jill Richardson (history)

Haley McGuire

Caitlin Amburgey

Sam Lee

Genevieve Darling

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

May 11, 2021, 12:39:58 AM

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Biodiversity

2800 Pioneer Dr, Reno, NV 89509

Horseman's Park

Park Description:

Horseman’s Park is a 12-acre Reno park without restrooms.

Park Amenities:

Horse arena and trails.

Park Highlights

Park History

Click the image to read each topic's full text!

Get Involved!

Donate:

Make a donation to support the Parks Project or your favorite Parks Foundation program, project, or wherever its needed! Click here to donate today.

Volunteer:

Support our parks by volunteering with the Parks Foundation! Attend a volunteer event or choose an ongoing role. Click here to explore opportunities.

iNaturalist:

Out in our parks or open spaces? Try cataloguing the biodiversity around you with iNaturalist! All it takes is downloading the iNaturalist app onto your phone to get started.

​

Curious what's been seen in this park? Click the link below to see what species other have spotted!

Contact:

Have a question about our parks or the Parks Project? Email us at parksproject@tmparksfoundation.org!

Want To Learn More?

References & Further Info:

Contributor(s):

Last Updated:

May 11, 2021, 12:39:58 AM