The motto was "Biggest Little City in the World." There are a complex of reasons that caused its fame v. size/significance to grow. First, for six decades or so, Reno was the largest community in Nevada - not saying much since Nevada did not reach the usual population of 100k required for statehood until 1930 (it was admitted to the Union in 1864 because of the peculiar political situation of the Civil War and anticipating Reconstruction).

Nevada has moved the title of largest community perhaps more than any other state (including the time when the part that would become Nevada was still part of Utah Territory): Genoa (early 1850s) to Carson City (late 1850s) to Virginia City (1859/60) to Reno (mid 1880s) to Goldfield (ca. 1905) back to Reno (ca. 1915) to Las Vegas (late 1950s). As a small "largest city in Nevada," Reno was the center of where it was happening - a reputation enhanced by the transcontinental railroad (1869) with branch lines running north and south, and as a stop on the Lincoln Highway (1920s).

This reputation was further enhanced in 1931 with Nevada's response to the Great Depression: as Progressive-era legislation has made divorce, easy marriage and gambling more restrictive in most states, the Nevada legislature moved toward easing restrictions. Its new divorce laws progressively decreased the time needed to reside in the state for a no-contest divorce (one could divorce even if the spouse protested). This made Reno, especially, the place where notable people came to live so they could be "Reno-vated." With quicky marriages available, Reno, especially, became the headline-getting place where recently divorced celebrities could marry without the customary waiting period imposed in most states (especially for tests for venereal diseases).

Films celebrated Reno's unique role, most famously "The Misfits." staring Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable, the last film for both these actors. The film featured Reno/Nevada stereotypes including the young woman (Monroe) seeking her divorce and the rugged tired cowboy (Clark Gable) capturing mustangs (people captured them for dog food). All of this, however, merely enhanced Reno's reputation for fame and for being rather sordid.

To add to all of this was the "One Sound State" movement, which promoted the fact that Nevada had no income tax and taxed next to nothing else (except the tourists). It promoted the idea that the rich could invest in Nevada, claim it as the state of residence of shield wealth from high tax states. This resulted in several big names relocating to Nevada, adding to its fame - and most of these people invested in properties at of near Reno, the largest community at the time.

Las Vegas began eclipsing Reno in size and reputation beginning in the 1950s - something that could not have happened without air conditioning and inexpensive electricity (thanks to Hoover Dam, finished in the 1930s). The persona of Las Vegas was far less of a town with fame than it was for a plastic façade with its own fame. The Strip was purposefully outside town to avoid City restrictions, removing the fame of Las Vegas from the community. Reno, on the other hand, features its historic center of gambling right in its downtown area (the counterpart of LV Fremont Street - but this area was quickly eclipsed by the Strip). To go to Reno was to indulge in the heart of the community while most people quickly experienced Las Vegas along the Strip - which was not part of Las Vegas.