The district’s foundation was laid in July 1903 when Jacob Hook, John Maurer, and Peter Dohr opened the Reno Brewing Company at East 4th and Spokane Streets. What started as a forward-thinking facility with a pioneering, electricity-powered ice plant quickly grew to dominate Nevada’s beer market, producing the iconic Sierra Beer. By 1907, it had become the state’s largest brewery.

The historic Nevada-California-Oregon (NCO) Railroad Depot, built in 1910 as a sleek brick passenger station, became a vital landmark connecting Reno north to Oregon. Through Prohibition, the brewery survived by pivoting production toward near-beer and non-alcoholic beverages, showing great resourcefulness and dedication to its workforce. Yet by 1957, facing mounting financial pressure from national brands, the brewery ceased operations, closing a defining chapter.

From 1975 onward, the Reno Brewery District faced significant challenges and remarkable resilience that have shaped its modern identity. The completion of Interstate 80 in 1975 diverted traffic away from East 4th Street, leaving the district isolated and economically stagnant for decades. In response, local property owners united in 1997 to form the Reno Sparks Business Corridor Association, working tirelessly to oppose municipal industrial zoning plans and champion the district’s revitalization. This collaborative spirit culminated in the 2014 craft renaissance, marked by the adaptive reuse and restoration of the historic 1910 railroad station into The Depot Craft Brewery & Distillery. This flagship project ignited a wave of new independent taprooms, distilleries, and cultural venues, sparking a vibrant rebirth of the neighborhood’s authentic character and creative energy.