Washoe County History

Reno History | Sparks History

1861 A bill creating the Nevada Territory was passed by Congress on March 2, 1861. Later that year the Nevada Territorial Legislature met to divide the new Nevada Territory into nine counties, one of which would be Washoe.

Washoe City became the first county seat. The city was established on the main route from Lake Tahoe to Virginia City. All county government, including the courthouse, was located in Washoe City.

Charles C. Smith was appointed the first Sheriff of Washoe County on December 26, 1861. He maintained office for only one year, being unseated by Sheriff T. A. Read.

1865 In February of 1865, the Sheriff's staff included Sheriff Read, Undersheriff Lee Jack, and Deputy F. D. Van Horn. Captain Frank Cook was appointed as Deputy Sheriff in the capacity of Night Watchman.

1871 Due to growth caused by the railroad, the county seat was moved to Reno from Washoe City. The old courthouse and Sheriff's Office was disassembled and sold, piece-by-piece.

1960s Under the direction of Sheriff Charles W. "Bud" Young, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office moved into a new and modern administration building, which included a state-of-the art jail facility. The jail housed approximately 150 inmates. This building replaced the previous jail that had been utilized since the early 1900s.

1970s During the administration of Sheriff Robert Galli in the latter half of the '70s, overcrowding became a concern in the jail. This concern carried into the next decade. During this time, several unsuccessful attempts were made to pass a bond issue to support the building of a new detention facility.

1982 A federal lawsuit was filed against the Washoe County Sheriff's Office over unconstitutional conditions in the jail, including overcrowding, medical attention, lack of services, and recreation.

1983 During Sheriff Vincent Swinney's administration, voters approved a $30 million bond issue by a 65-35 percent majority. A Jail Advisory Committee made its recommendations for a 448-bed regional facility, which would combine all jail operations within the Truckee Meadows.

1988 The current Washoe County Detention Facility complex is opened.

1989 Overcrowding once again became a concern in the jail and the misdemeanor/training building was constructed, adding 60 beds to the facility.

1995 Jail inmate population explosion continues. A 50-man tent is utilized as temporary quarters. By the end of the year, a Sprung Instant Structure is erected to provide additional housing for 56 inmates.

1999 After voters approved the Public Safety Bond issue in 1996, construction of four more housing units is completed, adding 264 beds to the jail.

2001 The Civil Protective Custody/Intake expansion area is completed. This space provides a separate holding area to safely detain up to 80 intoxicated subjects brought to the facility under the civil protective custody statute.

From the inception of the Sheriff's Office to today, Washoe County has had a total of 25 Sheriffs.

Sheriffs Serving Washoe County

* Died during term