Photo from LA Times/UCLA (Frank with mom Nancy and sister Tina) Did you know that while Frank Sinatra was enjoying immense success as a singer, actor, and casino owner (he owned the Cal-Neva Lodge with Chicago Outfit Boss Sam Giancana), someone had the audacity to kidnap his son, Frank Jr., who was making his way... Continue Reading →
South Shore Lake Tahoe had dozens of early casinos, from the Silver Club to Nevada Club, and even Dopey Norman's. The procession of casinos housed on the same spot is also an interesting subject, often debated by early investigators and finally proven by later writers after gaming documents and licenses proved or disproved ownership and... Continue Reading →
Nothing was more shocking in my gaming career than the bombing of Harvey's Wagon Wheel Casino at South Shore Lake Tahoe in 1980. To be accurate, I wasn't working there. I was spending the end of summer playing blackjack for a living. As a part-time member of Ken Uston’s blackjack team, I made good money.... Continue Reading →
In 1946, John and Alice Ross built the Christmas Tree casino way up near the top of Mount Rose with spectacular views leading down to Washoe Valley. In 1947 the couple added a restaurant with the help of a hand-shake $10,000 loan from Nick Abelman who drove past their joint every morning and every evening... Continue Reading →
It's been nearly 100 years since Robert Sherman gave his Cal-Neva cabin at Lake Tahoe's North Shore to Norman Biltz, who leased it to Bill Doyle, who opened a little casino, who did well enough to convince Biltz to sell it to Bill Graham and James McKay. Yeah, that's not even the beginning of the... Continue Reading →
How's this for a great shot from the early '70s? This postcard is from Reno Tahoe Specialty, Inc. Nate Jacobson built the King's Castle Casino at Incline Village (Lake Tahoe), Nevada after selling his part of Caesars Palace in 1969. A former insurance salesman, broker, and owner, Jacobson faced charges from the Securities and Exchange... Continue Reading →
Harrah's Tahoe - Opened in 1957 Bill Harrah was already a successful casino operator in Reno when he expanded to Lake Tahoe. The expansion is a little confusing, because, over the years, the Harrah's name graced both sides of Highway 50 at Stateline. Hopping from spot to spot was a pattern Harrah had used in Reno,... Continue Reading →
This has always been one of my favorite photos of George's Gateway Club because it sets the time in casino history so well. The cars show their age, and the simple fact that you could park right next to the building is significant to me. The early '50s presented a simpler way of life -... Continue Reading →
I always thought the photos of the Tahoe Village were cool with it's rounded shape and lots of windows to watch the snow while you had a beer after your shift. The building had a number of names from its inception in 1945 as the Tahoe Village with Mickey Wood financing. Bert Riddick was one... Continue Reading →
Photo Courtesy (William Pettite) The last time I posted, there was a lot of snow around my car. No more than there was in the picture of the old Christmas Tree casino at Mt. Rose in Reno, but a lot. It's 107 degrees in Scottsdale, Arizona right now. I'm comfortable. In the picture above, June... Continue Reading →
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