For those who have grown up in and around Reno, the Bowers Mansion is a part of the community. At over 150 years old, the mansion not only stands as a historic marker but as an inviting place for all to enjoy. Step back in time to the opulent days of the Comstock mining boom and visit the Bowers Mansion in Nevada, where all were welcomed then and now.

The Bowers Mansion was built in 1863 by miner turned owner, Lemuel Sanford Bowers, known by his nickname, “Sandy.”

Sandy was one of the first people in the area to dig deeper to access gold, rather than the wash-away, or panning, system of sifting for gold. He amassed great wealth, even by today’s standards.

Though many people who made their fortunes from mining in the Comstock built mansions in California, Sandy decided to put down roots in Nevada by building the Bowers Mansion with his wife, Eilley.

The Bowers Mansion incorporates both Italianate and Colonial Revival architecture.

While the house was being built, the Bowers traveled across the world in search of decadent furnishings and décor to make their new house a home.

Visitors today can tour the home either virtually online or in-person to view donated and original pieces owned by the Bower family.

To view the online walk-through tour, click click here.

In addition to the house, the estate includes 160 acres of landscaped grounds that was originally purchased by Eilley and her previous husband.

Beautiful, shaded lawns are perfect for relaxing and picnicking, which has been a favorite pastime of visitors since the Victorian era.

After Sandy’s death in 1868, the Bower family turned the estate into a park resort, where Nevadans could enjoy the lush green setting.

Today, the Bowers Mansion estate is owned and operated by the Washoe County Parks Department. Visitors to the park can expect a peaceful, leisurely time on the grounds. It’s a wonderful place to play, picnic, or even go for a swim!

Some even claim that the mansion is haunted by Sandy himself! Whether or not this is true, the Bower family still watches over the estate.

Visitors can hike to the hillside where the Bower family gravesites rests today.

In 2013, The Bower Mansion, also called the Washoe Valley mansion, received a huge jump in recognition when it rose to join the National Register of Historic Places.

Prior to this acknowledgement, the Bowers Mansion had been initially listed in the 1970s as a State Historic Preservation.

And finally, if this is your first time visiting the Bowers Mansion, stop at the Visitors Center, located at the Bowers Mansion Regional Park.

The home is located about 20 miles south of Reno on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada. At this time, only service animals are allowed at Bowers Mansion Regional Park.

Relive the Victorian era at the stunning Bowers Mansion in Reno, Nevada. Not simply educational, this historical place tells the story of Nevada. Visit to learn about an important time in history and to better understand Nevada today.

Do you enjoy visiting historical places in Nevada? What is a site that has left you amazed? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

If you’re a history buff that enjoys exploring the state, then take a journey to a historic fort in Nevada that’ll take you back in time.