The Levy House

HISTORIC HOMES

At the corner of Sierra Street and California Avenue stands a stately example of Classical Revival architectural style. The Levy House, named for the family who originally built it, features six ornate columns that give the home a very formal appearance. Other elements of the style you may notice are the home’s proportions and use of symmetry. The home is nearly square and has equal numbers of windows and dormers on either side of its grand entry. Original owner, Wilhelm Levy, immigrated to America from Germany. He moved to Nevada and operated dry goods stores in towns where mining was booming. Then in 1887 he moved to Reno, and with partner, Jacob Morris, opened a mercantile near downtown. In 1906, Wilhem and his wife, Tillie Goldsmith, bought land at the corner of Granite Street (now South Sierra

Street) and California Avenue and built the large house for their family which included their two daughters, Fritzie and Mildred. Fritzie spent most of her life in San Francisco, but Wilhelm, Tillie and Mildred all lived in the home until their deaths. Wilhelm died in 1920 and Tillie in the 1930’s. Upon Tillie’s death, the two daughters inherited the home. Interestingly, one of the first things they did upon taking ownership was turn the house 90 degrees on the lot (to face California Ave.) and move it to the west, presumably to add distance between it and Sierra Street which undoubtedly had become busier as the city grew. Mildred continued to live in the The Levy House house, while Fritzie took the east side of the property and leased it to the Signal Oil company for a gas station. In 1970, South Sierra Street was widened and the station was demolished. After Mildred’s death in 1978, a group of attorneys and other businesses located their offices in the expansive home. Today, the Nevada Museum of Art owns the house and leases it to Sundance Books and Music. As you browse Sundance’s impressive inventory, which is spread out through nearly every room in the house, you can’t help but imagine what it would have been like to live in a home of such grandeur. Be sure to check out the collection of cooking titles cleverly displayed in the home’s former kitchen. The Levy House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, noting its exemplary Classical Revival details, its association with Wilhelm Levy, and its importance as a significant component of local history.