Union Pacific to tear down landmark Sparks, Nev., machine shop, will offer bricks to public

SPARKS, Nev. — Union Pacific is planning to tear down a 120-year-old machine shop in Sparks, Nev., to the disappointment of preservationists, but will offer residents a chance to retain a piece of the historic building.

The city and railroad have announced that UP will make bricks from the structure — older than the city of Sparks itself — available from Feb. 3 to March 15, while supplies last.

The structure, built in 1904 by Southern Pacific, was a significant service facility during the years (up to 1957) when Sparks was SP’s largest terminal between Sacramento, Calif., and Ogden, Utah. The building is privately owned, but stands on Union Pacific land, and the railroad says it needs the land for expansion.

“Sparks is a key operational hub for Union Pacific to move customers’ goods in and out of the state – connecting the state and local economy to global trade,” Peggy Ygbuhay, senior director of public affairs, said in a city press release. “The building had safety issues and will be removed in the next few months as Union Pacific maximizes its existing footprint to support growing intermodal demand.” A plaque will mark the structure’s location, she said.

KOLO-TV reports city councilman Donald Abbott had tried to save the building by organizing a land swap between the railroad and Kinder Morgan, which owns an adjacent tank farm, but the railroad determined dismantling the building was the most economical option. UP has started preparations and is expected to request a demolition permit shortly.

“It’s a bittersweet moment for our community, as the machine shop has been a historic landmark in Sparks for generations,” Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson said. “We appreciate Union Pacific’s efforts to offer the community a chance to retain a piece of history.”