This chapter explores Nevada's historical transition into a popular destination for quick and convenient divorces, examining the lenient divorce laws that attracted individuals from across the country. Through stories of high-profile cases and personal sagas, it delves into the societal fascination and legal maneuvers that characterized Reno as the divorce capital of the early 1900s. The chapter also highlights the development of divorce tourism in Reno, detailing the rapid expansion and transformation of the city to accommodate divorce seekers.
Divorce ranches sprung up in the 1930s when Nevada relaxed its divorce laws. This unique and controversial style of resort was incredibly popular for several decades before becoming obsolete.
Research:
- Brean, Henry. “The rise and fall of Reno's quickie divorce industry.” Reno Gazette Journal. Sept. 18, 2017. https://www.rgj.com/story/life/2017/09/18/rise-and-fall-renos-quickie-divorce-industry/677065001/
- Bromley, John. “Two ‘Divorce Ranches’ Still Thriving.” Nevada State Journal. April 27, 1969. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1010901428/?terms=divorce%20ranch&match=1
- Miller, Wendy. “Divorce Ranch Owners Take Issue With Magazine Story.” Nevada State Journal. July 8, 1965. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1010619253/?terms=divorce%20ranch&match=1
- “Editor’s Comment – Not New.” Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. June 5, 1931. https://www.newspapers.com/image/683040112/?terms=nevada%20divorce&match=1
- Flat Rate Divorce Ranch Neely’s Latest Venture.” Shamokin News-Dispatch. January 7, 1932. https://www.newspapers.com/image/68323301/?terms=divorce%20ranch&match=1
- “High Society.” Reno Divorce History. https://renodivorcehistory.org/themes/the-rich-and-famous/high-society/
- Holmes, A.S. (1999). “Don’t Frighten the Horses”: the Russell Divorce Case. In: Robb, G., Erber, N. (eds) Disorder in the Court. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781403934314_8
- Jain, Priya. “Betty Goes Reno.” Slate. July 21, 2010. https://slate.com/culture/2010/07/a-visit-to-the-glamorous-divorce-ranches-of-the-mad-men-era.html
- “Mrs. Corey Gets a Divorce in Four Hours.” Reno Gazette-Journal. July 30, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/147027965/?terms=Laura%20Corey&match=1
- “Nevada Divorces Invalid.” Fort Worth Star Telegram. Aug. 10, 1931. https://www.newspapers.com/image/635854363/?terms=nevada%20divorce&match=1
- Nevada State Legislature. “CHAPTER 125 - DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE.” https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-125.html
- “Nevada;s Easy Divorces O.K. in Other States.” Evansville Press. June 9, 1931. https://www.newspapers.com/image/764481281/?terms=nevada%20divorce&match=1
- “Reno Divorce History.” University of Nevada, Reno Libraries. https://renodivorcehistory.org/
- Salisbury, Vanita. “Welcome to Splitsville: How Reno Became the Divorce Capital of the World.” Thrillist. July 22, 2022. https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/nevada-divorce-ranches-history
- Savanapridi, Shane. “Las Vegas Divorce Ranches.” City of Las Vegas. Feb. 14, 2020. https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/News/Blog/Detail/las-vegas-divorce-ranches#:~:text=The%20divorce%20ranch%20was%20the,bills%20to%20spur%20economic%20growth.
- “Sisters Tell Tales From The 'Divorce Ranch.’” StoryCorps. NPR. July 16, 2010. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128545233
- Wernick, Robert. “Where You Went if You Really Had to Get Unhitched.” Smithsonian. June 1996. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/where-you-went-if-you-really-had-to-get-unhitched-1-41543097/
- Vlosky, Denese Ashbaugh, and Pamela A. Monroe. “The Effective Dates of No-Fault Divorce Laws in the 50 States.” Family Relations, vol. 51, no. 4, 2002, pp. 317–24. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3700329
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