MidTown, a relatively new name for this neighborhood that spans about 1.2 miles from Liberty St in the North to Plumb Lane in the South, with some width extending a few blocks east and west. In the 1920s, it underwent a transformation from a residential neighborhood into a mixed-use area. The start of commercial buildings on South Virginia Street, designed primarily in brick by the renowned architect Frederic DeLongchamps, marked this change.

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During the mid-20th century, as Reno's downtown casino district expanded, businesses catering to

residents found a new home along South Virginia Street. This led to its evolution into a bustling urban

thoroughfare, enhanced by the addition of family-oriented motels that contributed to its charm during the

1950s. Over time, commercial establishments outnumbered residences, and the local community

embraced the area's diverse shops, eateries, and services.

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In 1981, the construction of Highway 395, positioned several blocks to the east, shifted traffic patterns,

causing South Virginia Street to lose its prominence as the primary north-south highway through town. This transformation left South Virginia Street somewhat quiet, devoid of the vibrancy and pedestrian

activity it once enjoyed.

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However, in 2008, during a challenging economic period, a group of innovative entrepreneurs came

together to establish the MidTown we know today. Their vision was to breathe new life into South

Virginia, even in the midst of a recession, giving rise to the name 'MidTown.'