Newcomers to Reno traveling on Moana Lane often wonder why thereâs a street in the Biggest Little City named after the titular Hawaiian character from a recent Disney cartoon?
It turns out the street actually derived its name from a well-known hot springs complex that once stood on a lot at the corner of West Moana and Baker lanes and that resort was named after a famous Hawaiian resort-spa.
A metal Nevada-shaped historic marker on the former site of the hot springs provides some illumination. It notes that Renoâs Moana Hot Springs opened on Oct. 29, 1905, and boasted a large bath house with a pool fed by natural hot springs at the site as well as a hotel, clubhouse, baseball diamonds and lush picnic grounds.