1595 N Sierra St, Reno, NV 89503

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

Park Description:

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park is a 570-acre Washoe County park with year-round restrooms. The park is home to the Wilbur D. May Museum, Wilbur D. May Arboretum & Botanical Garden, a visitor center, a historic Ranch House, the Nevada Farms and Families Area, Herman's Pond, and the Basque Sheepherder Monument. Backed up to Evans Canyon and the base of Peavine Mountain, the park offers access to miles of hiking and biking trails. Within the park's boundaries are diverse landscapes including manicured lawns, native pasture grasses, wetlands, and high desert.

Park Amenities:

Playground, dog park, volleyball court, horseshoe area, exercise area, pathways, hiking trails, biking trails, picnic area, barbeque area, reservable buildings and spaces, multi-purpose field, and tables/benches.

Park Contact Information:

Washoe County Parks and Open Space (775) 828-6612

Park Highlights

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Park History

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

History of Ownership

The history of ownership of the land which is now part of Rancho San Rafael Regional Park is extensive and complex. The local Native American tribes called this area their home before the Western settlers arrived and claimed the land for agriculture. Native American tribes still call this area their home, and more information can be found on the Reno, Sparks Indian Colony website, https://www.rsic.org/. Researchers believe the first owners to use the property for agriculture were the Pincolini brothers.

This Pincolini family consisted of five brothers who came to Reno from Italy between the years from 1897 to 1904. The brothers bought the land for a ranch where they raised cattle, hogs and eggs, which they sold to the hotels in downtown Reno. Later, Russell Jensen purchased the land for raising sheep and built the first structures on the site -- a 5-room house for the ranch manager plus several other buildings for raising sheep.

Image:
Washoe Indians – The Chief’s Family. Source: Lawrence & Houseworth Publisher. Retrieved from the Library of Congress.

How the Ranch Got Its Name: Dr. Raphael Herman

The name comes from Dr. Raphael Herman who purchased the farm in 1927, with his brother Norman Herman and sister-in-law Mariana. Sometime during the seventeen years that Dr. Herman lived in Reno, the land became known as Rancho San Rafael. Dr. Herman apparently did not mind the change in spelling from Raphael to Rafael.

Dr. Herman came from Germany to New York in 1890 where he earned his living in the publishing business and the manufacturing of steam products. Along with his brother and sister-in law, Dr. Herman arrived in Reno around 1927 but the three split their time with their other homes in Beverly Hills, California.

Upon his death in 1946, Dr. Herman bequeathed large sums of money to many Reno charities and individuals, but the largest recipient of his $720,000 estate was his brother Norman Herman. Norman died in 1961, and subsequently his wife Mariana only spent a few weeks each summer at the ranch as its sole owner.

Image:
1920s era aerial photograph of Reno looking southeast. Left foreground: Rancho San Rafael, Right: Highland Reservoir, Center: Mary S. Doten School. Photographer: John Sanford. Source: Nevada Historical Society.

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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!

Rancho San Rafael Regional 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:

Washoe County Parks and Open Space - Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation: One-page park guide here!
Wilbur May Arboretum: Park Guide
Reno Gazette-Journal
Nevada State Journal
Interviews with:
Virginia ("Ginnie") Kersey
Julee Conway
Karen Mullen-Ehly

Contributor(s):

Jill Richardson (history)

Haley McGuire

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

April 14, 2023 at 1:03:36 PM

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