A Black Springs Homecoming: Finding History is a 26-minute documentary produced by Nevada Humanities that tells the story of a small Nevada neighborhood and the ability of its residents to establish an enduring sense of community in the face of widespread racial discrimination and economic hardship.

Located in the North Valleys several miles north of Reno, Nevada, the tiny community of Black Springs was named in the 19th century for a nearby water source. In 1948, a Reno realtor and insurance agent named J.E. Sweatt purchased land in the area and began to sell parcels to Black families who were having trouble finding property in Reno. As in other municipalities nationwide, private developers had imposed restrictive racial covenants on many of the housing tracts established from the 1920’s onward that explicitly prohibited people of color from living there.

The families who moved to Black Springs were determined to transform this inhospitable landscape into a home despite its lack of paved roads, water or sewage service, and other basic infrastructure. In A Black Springs Homecoming, current and former residents of Black Springs recall how the community worked together in the 1960’s and 1970’s to secure their own volunteer fire department, reliable water service, a community center and park, and more. Together with community partners, they describe ongoing efforts to strengthen the neighborhood’s identity and preserve its story for future generations.