Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad Depot, Reno

The Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad Depot in Reno stands as a testament to the city's early transportation history and architectural legacy. Built in 1910 by the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway (NCO), the depot played a key role in connecting Reno to agricultural regions in northeastern California and eastern Oregon. Originally part of one of the longest narrow-gauge railroads in the United States, the depot is recognized today as Nevada Historical Marker No. 210 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its historical and architectural significance.

Designed as a two-story brick structure, the depot blends several architectural styles. A red-tiled low-pitch hip roof, Romanesque arches around its windows and doors, and extensive use of concrete details-such as quoins, keystones, and sills-give the building its distinct and enduring presence. It served passengers until 1937 and remained in use as offices for the Western Pacific Railroad (which acquired the NCO holdings in 1917 and converted the tracks to standard gauge) until 1975.

Following decades of various uses and a period of abandonment, the building underwent major renovations and was reborn in 2014 as The Depot Craft Brewery Distillery. Today, this adaptive reuse combines dining and craft beverages with a nod to the site’s heritage. Visitors can enjoy the preserved character of the historic depot, enhanced by vintage railroad maps, schematics, and memorabilia from the NCO and WP railroads-a fitting tribute to Reno’s railroading past.