Episode #101: Bliss Mansion
The Bliss Mansion in Carson City remains as a testimony to lumber tycoon Duane Bliss. Built in 1879, it was, for a time, the largest residence in the state — nearly 8,000 square feet, including a third-floor ballroom complete with stage. The Victorian Italianate house was state of the art for 1897. It took six years to assemble the materials, and a matter of months to actually build the house. Three train-cars full of bricks were needed to build four massive chimneys. Sandstone quarried at the prison east of Carson City was used for the foundation. Carved marble from Italy, Vermont and Georgia comprised the seven fireplaces. The house was the first residence in Carson City to be completely run by gas.

Episode #102: Newlands Mansion
The residence of Francis G. Newlands, U.S. congressman from 1893 to 1903 and U.S. senator from 1903 to 1917 was built in 1889 with the front wing and arbor added before 1908. George Thatcher, attorney for George Wingfield, bought the house in 1920. The house has numerous Queen Anne features with wings, bays, porches and a steep gable roof. Because of Newlands' prominence in politics, water and reclamation projects in the West and as the developer of Chevy Chase, Maryland, this property is a National Historic Landmark, the highest designation of national significance.

Episode #103: Hart House
In 1937, an emerging architect and a casino piano man conspired to build a house reminiscent of a Japanese pagoda on the edge of the Sierra Nevada. The external part of the house was designed with features that are unique to a Japanese style home. Over the years the integrity of the design has remained. The front entrance is an enclosed porch with a high-pitch and widely flaring front gable roof. A full-size moon gate allows entrance to the porch, and a massive wooden front door that is arched gives way to the living room. The exterior is sheathed in a unique flush-mounted board siding custom milled to look like horizontally stacked bamboo.

Episode #104: Beck-Barber-Belknap House
A singular house for singular people, the Beck-Barber-Belknap House has been home to judges, lawyers and lawmakers since it was built in 1875. Designed in the Second Empire Style of architecture, the house features a Mansard roof — a dual pitched roof with dormer windows on the lower slopes. Named for French architect Francois Mansart, this style gives the exterior a distinctive look. The colorful "naturalized" garden to the north and the expansive lawns to the south and east beautify the property. A quirky addition to the yard is the private bomb shelter, built in the early sixties during the cold war. The interior entryway features a Victorian staircase with an intricately designed Lincrusta wainscoting running up the wall. The untouched wood floor in the living room was a complete surprise to the current owners, who knew nothing about what lay beneath the outdated carpeting. Moulding around the floor is original to the house and unusually high due to the 19th century standard use of carpet.

Episode #105: Garvey House
Noted Architect Paul Revere Williams contributed many designs to the Northern Nevada region, none more unique than his first commission, the Luella Garvey House. The widow of a Cincinnati steel magnate, Mrs. Garvey made news by building what was noted as the most expensive house built in Reno in 1934, with a price tag of $40,000. Designed in Colonial Revival mode and featuring French Regency details, the Garvey House appears rather unassuming from the street, but step inside and you'll find myriad rooms and corridors. The single story section features decorative ironwork and a French Regency styled window. The two-story section boasts an open balcony with a railing of ornamental iron. The northeast wing has a lush walled garden befitting the reputation of Paul Revere Williams, who enjoyed integrating landscaping with architecture. Williams was a rarity in his day, an African-American architect who stood out among his peers, and whose work still stands out today.

Episode #106: Sadler House
With plans most likely from a design book from the 1850's or 70's the Governor Sadler Mansion is evocative because of its hidden facade and fanciful touches within. The exterior lends itself to interpretation as the guest walks up the long tree lined path to the wide porch and double front doors. Upon entry a steep and narrow staircase curving up to the ceiling meets the guest. The house contains a stately parlor, living room, dining room and a large second story master bath all of which have the details of a house built with care and artistry. This house was a home and also a place for the state's business. The Governor Sadler Mansion is not technically a mansion yet, harkens back to a time when a Governors house become the Governor's mansion upon election. This charm of having a simpler home become a place of stature and still retaining the qualities of comfort and utility paint an accurate portrait of Nevada in the late 1800's.

Episode #107: Greystone Castle/Barnard House
Built in the 1930's the Greystone castle and its neighbor, the Barnard House, blend modern amenities with the charm and quaintness of two tiny English Castles. Though each building plan is simple, the living areas are beautiful in their interaction with light and efficient floor plans. These houses were built to pay homage to older English style of housing and to create a newer more sophisticated development in Reno, the Newlands Manor.