The Biggest Little Reno Factoids In The World

Reno, Nevada: it was once the gambling capital of the state

, but many see it in the shadow of its showier sister, Las Vegas. But there are plenty of fascinating things about the Biggest Little City in the World. Next time you're at a pub quiz night or challenged to come up with an impressive conversation-starter, here are some Reno facts to whip out.

Olympic Dreams 2.0

Reno is quite close to the California border, and is a popular resort stop for skiers who visit Lake Tahoe. A bid was put in to host the 2011 Winter Olympics, when the two cities combined forces to form the Reno-Tahoe Winter Games Coalition. It will be the second occasion for them to host the games should they be awarded to them once again. The first time, in 1960, the Tahoe location was a surprise winner: it was overwhelmingly undeveloped, and had only one chair lift and one small lodge.

What Happens in Vegas Gets Annulled in Reno

Las Vegas is known as the Marriage Capital of the World; many fast weddings have taken place in abundant chapels, as it's simple and inexpensive to obtain a marriage license. Reno, on the other hand, became known for its divorce rate in the mid 1940s, when Nevada laws were more relaxed about the legal requirements for separation. Even novelist Ayn Rand got in a jab at the Biggest Little City; in her book The Fountainhead, one female protagonist tells a pal that she is "going to Reno," which is code for her plans to divorce her husband. The divorce business died in Reno when other states in the U.S put in place unique laws which made it easier for people to get a divorce.

Your 1994 Volvo Doesn't Count as 'Historic'

Most people consider cars to be functional vehicles, and aren't likely to stop and admire them. But even the most casual vehicle fans will be interested in the National Automobile Museum in Reno, which has a collection of some of the most famous cars in history. This includes Elvis Presley's 1973 Cadillac Eldorado, John Wayne's 1953 Corvette, and the 1949 Mercury from Rebel Without a Cause. Visitors can also see a DeLorean plated with 24-karat gold.

The Fight of the Century

When it comes to breaking racial barriers in sports, boxer Jack Johnson was one of the first and most controversial figures. As the first African-American heavyweight boxing champion, Johnson was notorious; he remained fiercely unapologetic as he beat his 'superior' white opponents (often taunting them as he did so), and caused scandals by exclusively dating Caucasian women. In 1910, Johnson was challenged by James Jeffries, the undefeated former heavyweight champion. Jeffries came out of a 6-year retirement in order to participate in what was quickly dubbed as the "Fight of the Century"-- a match pitting black against white, once and for all.

All eyes were on Jeffries to prove which race was truly superior; while racial tension brewed in the streets, the promoters listed outrageous 10-7 odds in favor of the older Jeffries. When the bell rang on July 4, the younger Johnson dominated every minute; he won in 15 rounds, landing punch after punch. The fight was a major moment in the history of the civil rights movement - and it took place in (you guessed it) Reno, Nevada.

by: Robert Nickel

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