These side-by-side brick cottages have long been admired by passers-by on Riverside Drive. In addition to the homes themselves, they have traditionally been nicely landscaped, surrounded by a neat white picket fence. Today’s garden is so inviting with its greenery and quirky décor items that it continues to draw the attention of all who walk by.
The history of this property is a bit confusing as a very early home on the adjacent lot had an address that matched one of these homes. In 1936 they were 1001 and 1009. In 1964, the addresses were renumbered to 1009 and 1019. Once the two cottages were joined, 1009 became the single address. The property that later became the garden was a vacant lot used for staging equipment for the construction of the Keystone overpass in the mid-1960s.
In HRPS booklet “A Walk Through Time: The Historic Powning’s Addition in Reno, Nevada,” Anna Frandsen and daughter Grace Lusty are shown as having built the homes as divorce housing. According to the city directory, in 1937, a Mrs. Grace Hawthorne was the owner. She appears to have been the manager for the other cottage until her death in 1944.
Other owners followed, but then in 1997, Tom Swan bought the two houses and merged them into one by adding a center portico. After hearing rumors that following the completion of the overpass the vacant lot was to become a Seven-Eleven, Swan became alarmed and bought that parcel as well. He fenced the vacant lot, created flower beds, walkways, shade trees and hung speakers so those strolling through the garden could listen to classical music. This attracted so much attention from passers-by that in the summer months he posted a homemade sign reading “Come on in” in front of the gate.
Swan had purchased a large terracotta block that formerly adorned the Mapes Hotel and implemented it in his garden as a wonderful conversation piece. Current owner Valerie Hastings has continued Swan’s tradition. In addition to the plants and trees and inherited Mapes artifact, Hastings has added décor items to make it her own space.
Inside the connecting portico there is comfortable seating and interior doors to both units. The cottage to the left is a short-term rental. It is very well equipped and comfortably furnished with a wonderful bedroom in the converted attic.
Valerie occupies the right-side home which is beautifully decorated in a testament to her superb taste. She values the home’s historic elements such as the original mail slot, picture rail around the living room walls and the bathroom with its original lavender tile. She has even drawn up plans for future enhancements. The basement is enormous with a laundry area and even a bar with whimsical elements and room to party.
Once you have seen the homes, be sure and take a tour through the garden. We think you will thank Tom Swan that a Seven-Eleven was not crammed into that lovely, historic space.