History of Ownership

Washoe Indians – The Chief’s Family.

Source:  Lawrence & Houseworth Publisher.  Retrieved from the Library of Congress.

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 here. Researchers believe the first owners to use the property for agriculture were the Pincolini brothers.

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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.
 

Park Donors and Influencers

Max C. Fleischmann Foundation: This foundation (1951 to 1980) provided Reno with monetary gifts for 29 years, including Rancho San Rafael Park. Mr. Fleischmann made his wealth from the production and sale of yeast, margarine, vinegar and gin in the US and Canada. He had no children or heirs when in 1951 he committed suicide by shooting himself (he was dying of cancer). Before he died, he instructed his trustees to give away all his money within 20 years of his wife’s death.

Max Fleischmann.

Source:  UNR collection