Washoe Life
Washoe Life is where we connect with community members in Washoe County, NV to hear their stories and speak on topics that affect you.
Washoe Life
America250/Nevada — Reno’s Divorce Industry
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As part of Washoe Life’s America250/Nevada podcast series, this episode explores a chapter of Washoe County history that put Reno on the national map for more than six decades. Historian and author Dr. Alicia Barber joins the podcast to examine Reno’s rise as the Divorce Capital of the World, from the early 1900s through the 1960s. Barber discusses the laws that drew thousands to the city, what daily life looked like for temporary residents waiting out the six-week residency requirement, and how the divorce industry reshaped Reno’s economy, culture and identity. The conversation also looks at the broader social changes reflected in this era and why this history remains an important part of Nevada’s story as the state marks the nation’s 250th anniversary through America250 Nevada.