The city of Sparks is situated east of Reno, in Washoe County, Nevada. Although the area began to be settled in the mid-1800s, the city was not established until 1905. Prior to the establishment of a railroad switch yard and maintenance facility there in 1904, area residents received weak or sickly cattle from emigrants along the California Trail, fattening them up to sell to another group of emigrants. The town that grew up around the Southern Pacific Railroad facility was initially known as Harriman, for the president of the railroad, E.H. Harriman, but it was renamed Sparks upon its incorporation as a city in 1905, after John Sparks, who was governor of Nevada at that time. Sparks was lightly populated until the 1950s when development in Reno began to spill over into Sparks, including warehouses, light industry, and casinos. Jim Gibbons, a former member of the US House of Representatives and the 28th governor of Nevada, was born in Sparks, and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff under President George W. Bush, Karl Rove, spent his childhood in Sparks.
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Recommended Resources
The official municipal site offers an overview of the city’s organizational structure, services, and elected officials, as well as a guide to local businesses, attractions, and events. Citizen requests may be submitted through the site.
http://www.cityofsparks.us/
Dance City Performing Arts Center
Offering dance instruction in ballet, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, musical theater, and jazzy pom, the performing arts center is located in Sparks, Nevada. Its instructors, classes, and registration policies are put forward.
http://www.dancecitysparks.com/
Affiliated with Rotary International, the service club meets on Wednesdays at the Sparks Nugget, Sparks, Nevada. A venue map, bulletins, schedules, and a list of upcoming speakers are put forward, with photographs and contacts.
http://www.sparksrotary.org/
With locations in Reno and Sparks, Nevada, the local florist offers wedding and sympathy arrangements, as well as flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, and other events and circumstances. Its locations, hours, and delivery policies are featured, and orders may be made through the site.
http://sparksflorist.com/
Sparks Museum & Cultural Center
Situated off Interstate 80, the museum is located on downtown Sparks, Nevada, featuring a vintage steam locomotive, cupola caboose, and Pullman executive car, along with a replica of a train depot, a restored one-room Glendale schoolhouse, and other attractions. Its location and hours are posted.
http://sparksmuseum.org/
The SPD is a municipal law enforcement body comprised of full-time employees, vicilian personnel, and volunteers, offering police services to the city of Sparks, Nevada. Its divisions, sections, units, and recruitment policies are outlined, with media releases and contacts.
http://www.sparkspd.com/