Intro
In this episode of “99% Invisible” titled “The Six-Week Cure,” the podcast explores the history of Reno, Nevada as the divorce capital of the world. It delves into how divorce laws in the United States have been influenced by religious practice and how Reno became a popular destination for divorce seekers. The episode also highlights the experiences of women seeking divorce in Reno and the impact of the city’s divorce industry on its identity.
Main Takeaways
Divorce Laws and Historical Influences
- Reno, Nevada was once known as the divorce capital of the world.
- Divorce laws have historically been influenced by religious practice.
- Early settlers of the US brought a range of divorce customs from Protestant Europe with them.
- Matters of family law were assigned to each individual state after American independence, which led to varying divorce laws across the country.
- New York only had one ground for divorce, adultery, and it had to be proven even if both parties wanted out.
- Western states had more liberal marriage and divorce laws than matrimonially conservative states like New York.
Reno’s Rise as the Divorce Capital
- Reno, Nevada became a popular destination for divorce due to its short residency period and liberal grounds for divorce.
- Laura Corey’s high-profile divorce in Reno in 1905 brought attention to the city as a place to easily establish residency and get a divorce.
- Reno became known as the place to get a divorce and attracted many celebrities and wealthy individuals.
- Nevada passed legislation in 1931 that solidified Reno as the divorce capital of the world by reducing the residency period to just six weeks.
- With the offer of a quickie divorce, along with a side of gambling, Reno became an unbeatable destination for divorce tourists.
Experiences of Divorce Seekers in Reno
- In order to get a divorce in Nevada, you needed a resident witness to testify that you had been in Nevada for six weeks.
- Boarding house managers often offered to act as resident witnesses as part of a divorce package deal.
- Women seeking divorce often found emotional support from the women who ran the boarding houses.
- Divorced women stayed at luxurious dude ranches specifically catered to them, which offered group therapy and activities like horseback riding and nude sunbathing.
- Reno was accessible to black women seeking divorce, with about 500 coming each year, but they needed to rely on a support system outside of the white mainstream due to discrimination in the state.
The Role of Local Support and Employment
- Local support was essential for black women seeking divorce in Reno.
- The African Methodist Episcopal Church played a crucial role in providing support and social activities.
- Divorce seekers often needed to find work during their six-week stay in Reno to pay for their divorce and residency.
- Reno’s casino industry offered entertainment and employment opportunities for divorce seekers, with a focus on increasing respectability through hiring women and promoting a more family-friendly image.
The Decline of Reno’s Divorce Era
- Reno’s divorce era began to decline in the late 1960s as divorce law became more liberalized throughout the Western world.
- California was the first state to introduce irreconcilable differences and no-fault divorce in 1969, leading to other states adopting similar laws.
- Reno’s divorce industry helped to alter the city’s identity and inspired the slogan “The Biggest Little City in the World.”
Personal Stories and Connections
- The Virginia Street Bridge, where women cast off their wedding rings for decades, now has love locks symbolizing unbreakable love or self-love.
- Desert Hearts was the first mainstream lesbian film with a happy ending.
- The film was based on a novel called Desert of the Heart by Jane Rule.
- Jane Rule was a well-known literary figure and friend of Margaret Atwood.
- Jane Rule went to Reno with her long-term partner Helen for a divorce in 1958.
Summary
The History of Reno as the Divorce Capital
Reno, Nevada gained its reputation as the divorce capital of the world due to its liberal divorce laws and short residency period. Early settlers of the United States brought divorce customs from Protestant Europe, and after American independence, family law matters were assigned to individual states, leading to varying divorce laws across the country. While states like New York had strict divorce grounds, western states like Nevada had more liberal laws. Reno’s rise as the divorce capital was solidified with legislation in 1931 that reduced the residency period to just six weeks, attracting celebrities and wealthy individuals seeking quick divorces.
The Experiences of Divorce Seekers in Reno
Divorce seekers in Reno needed a resident witness to testify their residency, and boarding house managers often acted as witnesses as part of divorce package deals. Women seeking divorce found emotional support from the women who ran the boarding houses, and luxurious dude ranches catered to divorced women, offering group therapy and activities. While Reno was accessible to black women seeking divorce, they had to rely on support systems outside of the white mainstream due to discrimination. The African Methodist Episcopal Church played a crucial role in providing support and social activities.
The Impact and Decline of Reno’s Divorce Era
Reno’s divorce industry had a significant impact on the city’s identity, leading to the slogan “The Biggest Little City in the World.” However, the era began to decline in the late 1960s as divorce laws became more liberalized throughout the Western world. California’s introduction of irreconcilable differences and no-fault divorce in 1969 influenced other states to adopt similar laws. Despite the decline, Reno’s history as the divorce capital left lasting cultural symbols, such as the Virginia Street Bridge, where wedding rings were cast off, and love locks now symbolize unbreakable love or self-love.
Conclusion
The “99% Invisible” podcast episode “The Six-Week Cure” explores the history of Reno, Nevada as the divorce capital of the world. It highlights the influence of religious practice on divorce laws, the rise of Reno as a popular destination for divorce seekers, and the experiences of women seeking divorce in the city. The episode also delves into the impact of Reno’s divorce industry on the city’s identity and the decline of the divorce era. Through personal stories and connections, the podcast provides a fascinating look into the cultural and social aspects of divorce tourism in Reno.
