Sparks Mansion goes on sale at $1.49 million
RENO -- One of Nevada's most historic houses is up for sale after undergoing major renovation by its owners.
Former University of Nevada, Reno basketball star David Wood and his wife, Angela, are asking $1.49 million for the Sparks Mansion and 10 adjoining acres in Pleasant Valley south of Reno.
Once owned by former Gov. John Sparks, the mansion served as the de facto governor's mansion during his 1903-08 tenure as governor because the Governor's Mansion in Carson City was not yet built.
The original part of the Sparks Mansion was constructed in 1875 in what is now Reno. The house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was moved about 10 miles south to its present site along U.S. Highway 395 in 1978.
Wood, a real estate investor, said he bought the home and property for about $1 million and has pumped more than $550,000 into restoring it. He and his family have lived in it for two years.
"This is going to take a pretty special buyer," Wood told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "It is going to take someone who sees the value of a beautiful, restored historical home."
Among other things, the couple restored the original wooden floors of white mahogany and oak inlay, as well as the mansion's original front doors.
Angela Wood personally reconstructed the handset Tuscan stone fireplace, and marble tops have been placed in the 31/2 baths.
"We did everything," David Wood said. "We went first class in fixing this place up."
The Woods also built a 10-car garage that doubles as a nearly full-length basketball court.
Wood played for eight NBA teams and eight European clubs in a 15-year career.
