[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 26 (Tuesday, March 8, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2238-S2239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               SPARKS, NV

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure to celebrate the 
founding of Sparks, NV 100 years ago this week.
  In 1904, the Southern Pacific Railroad wanted to straighten its route 
through northern Nevada. This required them to move from their 
switching yard at Wadsworth to another location, a hamlet originally 
known as Harriman. Many residents moved with the railroad, and they 
brought most of Wadsworth's buildings with them.
  Shortly thereafter, the city changed its name to Sparks, in honor of 
John Sparks, who served as Nevada governor from 1903 to 1908 and who 
owned a ranch near the city.
  Unlike many cities of the day, Sparks was a planned community with 
wide streets, ample parks, and impressive buildings. As the railroad's 
power waned in the 1950s, these traits allowed Sparks to become a 
picturesque, residential community.
  Ground was broken for the first hotel in Sparks in 1903. The building 
was named after its first owner, Charles Walstab, and was the only 
hotel in Sparks until 1911. In 1920, the hotel was purchased by Frank 
Gardella and Frank Pasutti who changed the hotel's name to the Lincoln. 
People came from far and wide for the Lincoln's home-style meals, 
including chicken and ravioli. Many old-time patrons remember when it 
served free lunches and

[[Page S2239]]

beer cost only a nickel. The building still stands on Victorian Avenue, 
and today is home to several small businesses.
  The Soroptimist Club International was founded in Sparks in 1958. The 
Sparks' Soroptimist club was formed to make a difference for women, 
focusing their extensive efforts on volunteer service in the community. 
They sponsored the Miss Nevada Pageant and Nevada Girl's State. 
Additionally, the Soroptimists awarded scholarships to young women 
graduating from Sparks High School, raised money for books at the 
Sparks Library, and donated to the Gray Ladies Indigent Fund for the 
State Hospital.
  However, no history of Sparks would be complete without mentioning 
John Ascuaga, a developer and entrepreneur who built Sparks' first 
casino: the Nugget. In May of 1958, the Nugget's ambassador became a 
part of the town's fabric. The ``Tall Cowboy'' appropriately arrived on 
the railroad, in pieces. When assembled, Last Chance Joe, stood thirty-
two feet tall at the entrance to the Nugget.
  I would also like to recognize Tony Armstrong, the former mayor of 
Sparks who died in January of this year. Tony's personality, his vision 
for the city, his management skills, and his deep humanity made him a 
terrific mayor and an outstanding man. It was Tony who first contacted 
me about the Sparks' centennial. I miss Tony and it is fitting to 
recognize him on this day, which he would have enjoyed so much. I wish 
his successor, Gino Martini, all the best and look forward to working 
with him on projects important to Sparks.
  Finally, it is remarkable that Sparks has retained its Victorian 
architecture and charm. The city beckons to us as a relic of a gentler 
and more beautiful time. It is truly one of the jewels of northern 
Nevada.
  A century has passed since the City of Sparks was founded. I hope you 
will join me in celebrating this lovely Nevada community's centennial.

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