Reno’s Town House Casino

Reno became the Divorce Capital of the World in the 1930s because its laws allowed quick, easy divorces, attracting thousands seeking a fresh start and significantly shaping the city’s social fabric.

Pictures from the ’20s and ’30s depict Reno visitors in cowboy garb, even if they had just taken the train in from New York City and had never been on a horse in their lives. To fit the crowd and the countryside, Reno saloons and casinos sported a country theme well into the ’60s.

One of the most popular saloons to open in downtown Reno was the Town House, originally called the Dude Ranch Town House, reflecting the area’s cowboy-themed entertainment that appealed to visitors seeking a Western experience amidst the burgeoning gaming scene.

Although drinking was still illegal due to Prohibition, the Town House offered liquor, as most Reno establishments did. As chronicled in “Mob City: Reno Connection,” Bill Graham and George Wingfield had the fix-in for any club that was sharing a piece of their action, and the Feds never busted the Town House.

Rennie tried to expand his gaming empire to Plumas Avenue, several miles from the downtown corridor, in 1936. The move didn’t sit well with the men in charge of Reno, and within a year, Charles Rennie owned neither the Country Club nor the Town House.

The postcards and gaming chips from the era depict the Town House logo: a tall, bow-legged cowboy, bellied up to the bar, with well-shaped women on either side of him. The caption on the logo reads “The riding lesson,” capturing a lively piece of Reno’s past that still sparks interest and pride in local history.

The Town House struggled to stay in business with different owners for nearly 20 years. In 1955, it was destroyed by a suspicious fire.

Reno may no longer be a cowboy town. However, it’s still more country than city, reflecting a community that has evolved while holding onto its roots, which can inspire curiosity about its ongoing transformation.