Senator Francis G. Newlands was a man with a clear vision of how the west could grow. Living in California he was a close friend and confidant of Comstock Silver Baron William Sharon. After Sharon’s death, Newlands came to Nevada to manage Sharon’s vast holdings, and also to establish a his future in state politics.

Newlands fell in love with the area, and built a home situated to take in the view of the growing town of Reno and the beautiful Truckee River. He saw irrigation farming as a way to continue growth in Nevada, and he saw the Truckee River as its lifeblood.

The Newlands Mansion is located on Elm Court in Reno and was the first house built on that high bluff overlooking the Truckee. It is a 7000 square foot Shingle Style Mansion accented with Queen Anne attributes. It consists of 12 principal rooms, an enclosed porch, a kitchen, as well as a maid’s quarters and a butler’s pantry. The home has 4 bathrooms, 2 fireplaces and is heated with oil-fired steam radiators. It has a distinctive, steep gable roof. There are a total of 87 large windows in the mansion designed to bring in light and to take advantage of the spectacular view of the Truckee River.

Built in 1889, the Newlands Mansion is one of only 6 homes in Nevada currently designated as National Historic Landmarks. It received its designation in 1965 because of Senator Newlands political prominence as well as his work on water and reclamation projects in the west.

Current owners, Dan and Melissa Gustin purchased the home in 1984 and have spent many years restoring the house to its original grandeur. Oak floors and walnut paneling have all have been repaired and refinished. The kitchen has been modernized, but special care was given in doing so to keeping the original cabinetry and wainscoting intact. The Gustins have paid particular attention to keeping all work on the house, and on the 2.2-acre lot upon which it sits, within historic guidelines of the time.