3415 Idlewild Dr, Reno, NV 89509

Crissie Caughlin Park

Park Description:

Crissie Caughlin Park is a 3-acre Reno park with year-round restrooms. The park is located along the Truckee River.

Park Amenities:

Playground, horseshoe area, bike path, pathwyas, picnic shelter, barbeque area, and tables/benches.

Park Contact Information:

City of Reno - Parks & Facilities (775) 334-2417

Park Highlights

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Park History

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Crissie Caughlin Family Background

Crissie Caughlin Park was named after Crissie Caughlin, of the Caughlin Ranch/Andrews Ranch property. Crissie, originally Crissie Andrews, was born in Washoe City in 1866 to George and Bettie Andrews in Washoe City.

The family moved to Reno in 1874, after the Virginia City mines took a downturn, and purchased land in west Reno, now Mayberry Drive. Her parents ultimately divorced and Crissie was given 40-acres of the ranch property.

Image:
Haley Kirby.

Crissie Gains Ownership of the Ranch

Crissie went on the attend the Nevada State University and earned her degree in business. Sadly, her brother was kicked in the stomach by a horse and was killed, leaving Crissie and her mother in charge of the ranch. Crissie married, but their first child died in infancy and they divorced shortly thereafter.

She had to make a choice to either sell the ranchland or marry to keep the property. So, she married Sheriff William Caughlin, 30 years her senior and the same man that served her father divorce papers. The property became known as the Caughlin Ranch, but ownership remained in Crissie’s name.

Image:

Crissie Gains Ownership of the Ranch:
William and Crissie Caughlin, March 5, 1892 before their marriage. Source: Find a Grave, added by Mark’s Mom.

The Creation of Three Parks

Crissie Caughlin passed away on in 1955 at the age of 80. She left the ranch to her three children. In the 1980s, they all decided to sell the land, advised for tax purposes.

The land was bought by Don Lonie, a property developer in Portland, Oregon. He fell in love with the property and Crissie’s granddaughter Sheila. The two married and created Crissie Caughlin Park, Betsy Caughlin Donnelly Park, and Horseman’s Park (over by Skyline Blvd).

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iNaturalist:

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Crissie Caughlin Park on iNaturalist

Contact:

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Want To Learn More?

References & Further Info:

City of Reno Parks & Facilities Directory - Crissie Caughlin Park
Barber, D. H. (n.d.). Caughlin Ranch House. Retrieved March 22, 2021, from Reno Historical: http://renohistorical.org/items/show/165
Bath, A. (1998, October 11). Volunteers help finsih up Champions of Truckee project. Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 28.
Beffort, B. (1998, September 25). Verdi to Vista - The dream, a step at a time. Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 96.
Bike path complete. (1997, September 1). Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 16.
Bledsoe, B. (n.d.). History. Retrieved March 19, 2021, from Tahoe-Pyramid Trail: https://tahoepyramidtrail.org/home/history-of-the-tahoe-pyramid-trail/
Bremner, F. (1994, September 17). Anonymouse donor extends bike path. Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 1.
Caughlin Ranch Homeowners Association. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2021, from Caughlin Ranch Homeowners Association: caughlinhoa.com
City considering park proposals. (1972, October 4). Reno Evening Gazette , p. 33.
City expanding bike path. (1996, July 8). Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 13.
Conway, J. (May 2017). Park Master Plan - Crissie Caughlin Park. Reno: Reno Parks and Recreation Department.
Cox, J. (2013, Winter). Building the McCarran Loop. Historic Reno Preservation Society: Footprints , p. 4.
Doran, S. (n.d.). Trial history. Retrieved March 19, 2021, from Tahoe-Pyramid Trail: https://tahoepyramidtrail.org/home/history-of-the-tahoe-pyramid-trail/
Grady, S. (1998, September 11). 'Building around nature' motivated developers. Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 101.
Grady, S. (1998, March 13). Take a hike. Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 45.
Harmon, M. (2004, Spring). Bringing water to the Truckee Meadows, the ditches. Historic Reno Preservation Society Footprints , p. 2.
Long time Reno resident dies. (1955, August 3). Reno Evening Gazette , p. 13.
Munkelt, D. (2015). Truckee River Irrigation Ditches. Reno.
Myers, L. (1985, October 5). Heifers hoof it through southwest Reno neighborhood. Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 1.
Obituary: Syrene C. Seagrave. (1986, May 25). Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 57.
Our town. (1997, July 19). Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 15.
Sundstrand, J. K. (2004, Summer). When ditches became urban. Nevada Historical Society Quarterly , p. 113.
Tahoe-Pyramid Trail. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2021, from Tahoe-Pyramid Trail: tahoepyramidtrail.org
Truckee River. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2021, from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truckee_River
Trudell, M. (2003, December 5). How our past explains our present. Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 108.
University Arboretum: Manzanita Lake. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2021, from University of Nevada, Reno: https://www.unr.edu/arboretum/areas-of-interest/manzanita-lake
Voyles, S. (1999, October 18). Missing link in plan needs money, land. Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 11.
Voyles, S. (1998, February 23). Zoning plan could affect businesses. Reno Gazette-Journal , p. 25.

Contributor(s):

Jill Richardson (history)

Haley McGuire

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

August 26, 2022 at 6:31:46 PM

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