Filed Under Tourism

Farris Motel

The red-roofed motel developed from a 1921 poultry farm.

The development of the Farris Motel tells a tale of early automobile tourism and entrepreneurialism along East Fourth Street. The entire area was parceled off as the “Kappler’s Addition” to Reno in 1906, two years after streetcar service had been established between Reno and the fledgling town of Sparks. The tracks of the Reno Transit Company ran along the southern edge of the property, suggesting Charles Kappler’s lofty aspirations for founding a lucrative streetcar suburb.

Division of the property into residential lots never transpired, however, and motor traffic was sparse until the Federal Aid-Road Act passed in 1916. With the infusion of federal funds accompanying the formation of Nevada’s highway department the following year, the road to Sparks was paved in concrete, making auto travel more convenient, and suggesting new opportunities for the land.

In 1921, Julius Redelius purchased the Kappler’s Addition, had it converted back to acreage, and founded the Twin City Poultry Farm, where he raised and sold chickens, eggs, vegetables, apples, and even honey. By 1924, he installed a gas pump and opened the Twin City Service Station, which offered gas, mechanical service, and tire sales to those traveling along the Lincoln Highway.

Recognizing those same travelers’ needs for lodging, and by now a savvy businessman, Redelius carved out some of his land to open an auto camp he dubbed The Grove. The term “auto camp” generally referred to a place providing flat pads for motorists to set up tents alongside their cars, but by 1930, Redelius was advertising full-fledged cabins. Changing its name from the Shady Grove Auto Camp to the Shady Grove Auto Court may have reflected ongoing improvements to the facilities, which by then included private toilets, kitchenettes, and oil heat.

Briefly called the Shady Grove Motel in 1946, the property was purchased, renovated, and renamed by Robert B. Farris, who spent an additional $25,000 on construction in 1950. Throughout the fifties, Farris offered apartment rentals by the day, week, or month, extending a special welcome to divorcees.

Like many of its surrounding motel properties, the Farris Motel catered less and less to tourists after the completion of Interstate 80 through Reno and Sparks in the mid-1970s. The architecture, however, remains remarkably intact, characterized by charming red tile roofs, striped awnings, and a unique stacked tower over the office entrance.

Images

Farris Motel, ca. 1955
Farris Motel, ca. 1955 Formerly known as the Shady Grove Auto Court, the Farris Motel offered charming accommodations along E. Fourth Street beginning in 1950. Source: Dick Dreiling Date: ca. 1955
Twin City Poultry Farm
Twin City Poultry Farm Posing in front of the house with the sign for the Twin City Poultry Farm is likely Julius Redelius with his child. Source: Neal Cobb Collection Date: Early 1920s
Twin City Service Station
Twin City Service Station A photograph dated 1927 shows the Twin City Surplus Station on U.S. 40 between Reno and Sparks. Source: Neal Cobb Collection Date: 1927
Twin City Service Station
Twin City Service Station Julius Redelius opened the Twin City Service Station on the site of his poultry farm on East 4th Street. The station sold gas as well as auto supplies, as seen in this 1925 ad. Source: Reno Evening Gazette Date: October 15, 1925
The Grove Auto Camp
The Grove Auto Camp In the mid-1920s, Julius Redelius opened an auto camp he called The Grove, where motorists could set up tents beside their cars. Source: Neal Cobb Collection
Construction of the Shady Grove Auto Court
Construction of the Shady Grove Auto Court Julius Redelius continued to improve facilities for travelers, constructing garages where motorists could park their cars when staying at his auto court. Source: Neal Cobb Collection
Shady Grove Auto Court
Shady Grove Auto Court The Shady Grove Auto Court featured individual units with garages where motorists could park their cars. Source: Neal Cobb Collection Date: 1935
Individual units, Shady Grove Auto Court
Individual units, Shady Grove Auto Court A view of the Shady Grove Auto Court units shows the open garages and charming entrances to individual sleeping quarters. Source: Neal Cobb Collection Date: 1935
Farris Motel
Farris Motel A rare postcard of the earlier appearance of the Farris Motel shows its original flat-roofed main building before the addition of a sloped, tiled roof and other changes. Someone drew the approximate look of those future changes on the card. Source: Dick Dreiling Collection Date: ca. 1950
Farris Apartments, 2014
Farris Apartments, 2014 Now operating as apartments, the Farris retains its red-and-white charm and distinctive wedding cake-like tower over the front entrance. Creator: Alicia Barber Date: 2014

Location

1752 East 4th Street, Reno, NV

Metadata

Alicia Barber, “Farris Motel,” Reno Historical, accessed November 6, 2024, http://renohistorical.org/items/show/45.