Washoe County Courthouse

Washoe County Courthouse
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
File:Washoe County Courthouse, Reno, Nevada (6320816708).jpg
Washoe County Courthouse, 2011
Location	117 S. Virginia St., Reno, Nevada
Coordinates
Area	less than one acre
Built	1910
Built by	Sellman Bros.
Architect	F. J. DeLongchamps
Architectural style	Classical Revival
MPS	Architecture of Frederick J. DeLongchamps TR
NRHP Reference #	86002254
Added to NRHP	August 6, 1986

The Washoe County Courthouse, at 117 S. Virginia St. in Reno, Nevada, was built in 1910. It is significant for playing a role in the divorce industry in Nevada during the first half of the 20th century, when divorce was legal in Nevada and liberal residency requirements were enacted, while divorce was much more difficult elsewhere. In 1931, more than 4,800 divorces were processed in northern Nevada, most processed through this courthouse; it was economically important, with $5,000,000 being spent per year in Reno by divorcing parties.

The building is a replacement of a previous courthouse on the site, and was built for $250,000 during 1910-11. It is a Classical Revival work that was the first "solo" commission of Nevada architect Frederic J. DeLongchamps. The building is significant also for its long role in government in Reno. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1986.

Legend has it that divorced women, departing from the courthouse, would throw their wedding rings into the Truckee River, from the nearby Virginia Street Bridge (also NRHP-listed).