Divorce and Divorce Ranches in Nevada
by Meggan Connors
In the era between 1920 and the early 1960s, divorce wasstill taboo in much of the country. But in one state—Nevada—divorce was seen asa way to bolster a flagging economy.
Thestate of Nevada is known for being a hotbed of sin, a reputation that continuestoday ("What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" anyone?). From gamblingto prostitution to divorce, it seems as if nothing sacred. Divorce first becamepopularized in the state in 1920, when Mary Pickford came here in order toobtain her divorce from her first husband, actor Owen Moore. In most of thecountry, there was a waiting period for divorce. Not so in Nevada, where theonly requirement was that one had to be a legal resident. At that time, thatmeant one had to live within the confines of Nevada for a period of six months.
In 1931,that rule would change.
In orderto bolster the economy during the Great Depression, the legislature changed theresidency requirement—one only had live in Nevada for six weeks in order to beconsidered a legal resident. That meant after six weeks, one could obtain adivorce. It was in that same year that gambling was officially legalized.
That'sright, both divorce and gambling were viewed as a means to make money.
In most parts of the country, therewere only a few reasons why a person could be granted a divorce, but in Nevada,there were nine. The most popular of these reasons was mental cruelty, whichhad a broad interpretation. For example, mental cruelty could be something asminute as "she talks to me while I'm reading," (The Divorce Seekers: A Photo Memoir of a Nevada Dude Wrangler). This, coupled with the loose residencyrequirements, led to Nevada becoming the divorce capital of the world.
Manypeople seeking divorce would come to the Reno area and rent apartments or stayin hotels, which was a boost the local economy, as it fueled jobs for full-timeresidents. At the same time, many people—mostly women—would come out and stayat so-called "divorce" or "dude" ranches. Nevada law onlyrequired that one spouse needed to be a legal Nevada resident, and therefore,the men stayed home and worked, while their soon-to-be ex-wives took a longvacation in Reno. In fact, it became so popular to come to Reno to stay in adivorce ranch that an entire lexicon sprang up around it. Women came to get"reno-vated" or to "take the six week cure."
And whena woman "went Reno," it meant that she ditched the dress, donnedLevis, and flirted, danced, and gambled her way to a quickie divorce.
So, whatdid these women do while at the divorce ranch? What was the lure of staying ata divorce ranch rather than a hotel in town? Part of it was that these ranchesoffered a "frontier" experience. One of the most famous ranches, theFlying M E, located in Washoe Valley, offered a range of activities, fromhorseback riding to fishing and swimming in the pool. A typical day at theFlying M E might include horseback riding in the morning, followed by a tripinto town for a visit with the lawyer, and then cocktails and a communaldinner. Afterwards, guests might go back into town for a night of gambling anddrinks. While ranches like the Flying ME catered to their divorcing clientele,they were not strictly for divorcees. Many people, including Hollywood stars,went to the higher-end ranches such as the Flying M E for the exclusivity,privacy, and the western experience they offered.
On theother end of the spectrum, some divorce ranches offered a more rusticexperience, with cabins that had neither running water nor toilets.
Therewas a little something for everyone seeking a divorce, with accommodations forevery budget.
And given the number of weddingchapels that sprang up in and around Reno, and the ease with which one couldobtain a marriage license, if a lady played her cards right, she could leavethe state as she was when she arrived—a married woman.
The biggest difference?
The man she was married to.
When her father loses her in a poker game, Lexie Markland is sent to work in the household of Nicholas Wetherby for one year to pay off the debt. Innocent, but not naïve, she is savvy enough to know she must maintain her distance from this man, who frustrates her with his relentless teasing but whose kisses bring her to her knees. Because although she may be just another conquest to him, it’s not just her heart in jeopardy should she succumb to Nicholas’ considerable charms.
Since his brother's death almost a year before, nothing has held Nicholas’ attention for long—not women, not booze, not even an excellent hand at cards. Nothing, that is, until he meets the woman he won in a drunken night of poker. Intrigued by his prize and her chilly reserve, he makes it his mission to crack Lexie’s cool demeanor. But even as passion explodes between them, the question remains: will Nicholas be able to take the ultimate risk...and gamble on love?
MegganConnors' debut novel, The Marker, isavailable through Amazon & Barnes and Noble
Author Bio...
After discovering that her degree in English Literature/Linguistics and German didn't lend itself to gainful employment in her hometown, Meggan Connors decided to pursue a graduate degree in the very practical field of Speech Pathology (she really liked school). However, being an author was always her true calling. She now pens novels of love and loss, of high stakes and risk-takers, and is forever being surprised when her characters decide to take control of "her" book.
Meggan makes her home in the Wild West with her lawman husband, two children, and a menagerie of pets. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Sacramento Valley chapter. When she's not writing, she can be found playing with her kids, hiking in the mountains, or reading a book.
Visit Meggan online:
Website
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