I work at the Court House and drive through this intersection regularly. However, I was completely unaware of this event. Thank you for the research and wonderful presentation.
Thank you for covering the explosion of '57. My grandfather was Rocco Spina who along with his brother Frank owned the "Nevada Shoe Factory" . According to my grandfather's stories, there was a pedestrian tunnel under Sierra street where the gas pipes ran along. This is where the gas leak had occurred and leaked into basements under the west side stores. The tunnel had long been abandoned and access was difficult. This might explain why the power company could not find the leak even though the smell was quite apparent. This area experienced flooding many times and may had contributed to the gas pipes failing. My grandfather had left the store for his lunch break leaving Frank to attend the store's business. Frank was thrown through the front window when the explosion occurred and into the street where a car landed on him killing him. I believe someone who worked in the law office above the store was also killed. Frank was considered missing for several days as no body was found. When the damaged cars were towed away, Frank's body was found under the car. "Spina" is pronounced Speena. ha!
I had just turned 10 and lived in Hawthorne. Remember Mom and Dad being concerned about family members, friends and the general public's welfare. As an exiled desert rat living in Washington State I admire and appreciate your great videos on Nevada history. A close childhood friend was seriously injured responding to the Truckee's 1997 New Years flooding of Reno and Sparks.
Very cool photo matchups! At times I wish that the Reno of the 1950s had been preserved as it was. I’m a nostalgic soul! Thanks, Steve for a great video!😊
Alas, all things must evolve and change... and I concur! Thanks for the kind words sir! All - please check out History Hunters for quality history on YT!
I was in a 5th grade class in East Reno when this happened. I recall the smoke was quite thick for hours. BIG news for certain. There was great coverage of Mr. Kumle and how he saved lives. Great story and photos.
Never heard of the February 1957 gas explosion in Reno, Nevada. Thank you for sharing this wonderful history of Reno! All of your videos are awswome! I love history very much!
wow, great episode! i knew about the explosion, and i knew it was at that intersection, but i could never visualize which stores were where until now. Your historical photo mashups are fantastic for this, and it really brings the moment to life. Thanks for all this work!
I think if you did a show on Sun Valley that it would be popular even to the Reno residents not only the Sun Valley ones. People are curious about Sun Valley. I’m originally from Piedmont CA was a bellman at the Peppermill in the 90’s and decided to move back cuz it was the only place I could get a third acre and shelter for cheap
That happened just about a year before I was born :). I remember as a kid going to the department store at 1st and Sierra but I remember it as a J.C. Penny's and I remember gray Reid's was where the Circus Circus building is today (I think one of the central escalators is from the original Store in the 60s :). Was Grey Reid's once downtown and moved north? I love Reno history. Keep up the great videos. Thanks!
Where was I? I was 3 weeks old, so I don't remember..I do barely remember my mom had talked about it.At first I thought you were talking about the Golden hotel fire on Center Street.I believe that was in the 60's.. Another great video! Thanks.
I work at the Court House and drive through this intersection regularly. However, I was completely unaware of this event. Thank you for the research and wonderful presentation.
You wouldn't know driving by! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for covering the explosion of '57. My grandfather was Rocco Spina who along with his brother Frank owned the "Nevada Shoe Factory" . According to my grandfather's stories, there was a pedestrian tunnel under Sierra street where the gas pipes ran along. This is where the gas leak had occurred and leaked into basements under the west side stores. The tunnel had long been abandoned and access was difficult. This might explain why the power company could not find the leak even though the smell was quite apparent. This area experienced flooding many times and may had contributed to the gas pipes failing. My grandfather had left the store for his lunch break leaving Frank to attend the store's business. Frank was thrown through the front window when the explosion occurred and into the street where a car landed on him killing him. I believe someone who worked in the law office above the store was also killed. Frank was considered missing for several days as no body was found. When the damaged cars were towed away, Frank's body was found under the car. "Spina" is pronounced Speena. ha!
Thanks for watching and for the info!
I wasn't yet but I very much enjoyed this.
(I'm a 1960 model living in Maryland since day one.)
Very interesting. Never heard of this before.
Solid episode! I was in first grade at the time. But thinking about 1957, there were a lot of big explosions in Nevada.
Mushroom clouds in the south notwithstanding! Good call out! Cheers!
I had just turned 10 and lived in Hawthorne. Remember Mom and Dad being concerned about family members, friends and the general public's welfare. As an exiled desert rat living in Washington State I admire and appreciate your great videos on Nevada history.
A close childhood friend was seriously injured responding to the Truckee's 1997 New Years flooding of Reno and Sparks.
Thanks! I remember that flood.
Very cool photo matchups! At times I wish that the Reno of the 1950s had been preserved as it was. I’m a nostalgic soul! Thanks, Steve for a great video!😊
Alas, all things must evolve and change... and I concur! Thanks for the kind words sir! All - please check out History Hunters for quality history on YT!
I was in a 5th grade class in East Reno when this happened. I recall the smoke was quite thick for hours. BIG news for certain. There was great coverage of Mr. Kumle and how he saved lives. Great story and photos.
This was one of your best. I love the split screen Then and Now. Chills. We will be going to pizza and beer to check out your art.
Thanks! Tell Serge Steve sent you! Cheers!
Very cool video, Thank you.
Never heard of the February 1957 gas explosion in Reno, Nevada. Thank you for sharing this wonderful history of Reno! All of your videos are awswome! I love history very much!
Glad to provide some illumination!
wow, great episode! i knew about the explosion, and i knew it was at that intersection, but i could never visualize which stores were where until now. Your historical photo mashups are fantastic for this, and it really brings the moment to life. Thanks for all this work!
Appreciate the feedback! I enjoyed putting all this together.
The Then and Now mashup was incredible!!
Cheers!
Definitely like the variety on your channel. Very unique. Thanks for posting!
Thanks - its a labor of love - cheers!
Another great episode! And that was an AMAZING photo mashup!!
Thanks again!
Super cool mashups with the pictures, well done!
I think if you did a show on Sun Valley that it would be popular even to the Reno residents not only the Sun Valley ones. People are curious about Sun Valley. I’m originally from Piedmont CA was a bellman at the Peppermill in the 90’s and decided to move back cuz it was the only place I could get a third acre and shelter for cheap
Interesting - never thought of that. Thanks and cheers!
I grew up here and never heard of this. Thank you for the history 🙏🏻
Thanks for watching!!
Wow, phenomenal work, I always enjoy your videos, keep up the good work.
Waving from CB Lounge 2112 in Carson!! Nice work! Cheers!
Waving back!! Thanks!
That happened just about a year before I was born :). I remember as a kid going to the department store at 1st and Sierra but I remember it as a J.C. Penny's and I remember gray Reid's was where the Circus Circus building is today (I think one of the central escalators is from the original Store in the 60s :). Was Grey Reid's once downtown and moved north? I love Reno history. Keep up the great videos. Thanks!
Another amazing episode. I had actually never heard of this incident before. And the Mapes Hotel appearing in several of the old photos. Very nice.
Thanks! I had heard there was an explosion back then but wasn't sure of the exact location till I worked on this video. Cheers!
Enjoyed this! I really appreciate the time you spent on the combined photos.
Thanks for tuning in!
Where was I? I was 3 weeks old, so I don't remember..I do barely remember my mom had talked about it.At first I thought you were talking about the Golden hotel fire on Center Street.I believe that was in the 60's.. Another great video! Thanks.
Thanks for watching!!!
I really enjoy your channel, and I love how you mixed the photos in the end. So cool!!!
Thanks - it was fun to do!
Great job on the mixed photos
Thank you! Cheers!
Very interesting. The photo overlays were nicely done. Time consuming I’m sure.
Time consuming only in that I have to get myself out there to the same locations! Fun though - thanks!
In 1957, I would have been playing in my folks back yard.
Yes I was there, cut class , know the Shoe maker . Friend of Elks club janitor. 😢
I value your viewership!
I heard about this. I would be born 20yrs and 5 days after the explosion.