The Golden Gate Casino

I take a look at a half dozen or so other blogs on a fairly regular basis. A week or so ago, in the comments section of one of those blogs, the question was asked, "What do people see in Vegas?" Since I was blocked from weighing in with my own comment, I thought I'd answer that question here.

We go to Vegas to sin in safety. There aren't many communities in the United States were you can't find a card game, and if you get mixed up with the wrong people, get in trouble. Unable to pay off a bet in some back room and you might get your knee caps broken. In Las Vegas, you buy chips up front, either in cash or on a credit card, and that's it. If you can't pay Visa, you might get sued and your spouse may kick you out of the house, but you won't see the inside of a hospital room. Want to get drunk? In Las Vegas, the helpful casino staff will help you back to your room and clean up the mess. And as long as you don't get violent or try and drive, the LVPD are more likely to call you a cab than take you to the drunk tank. Want to get laid? Well, there are plenty of other people looking for a hook-up wandering the casino floor, and if that doesn't work, prostitution is against the law in Clark County, but out call services are common and as long as she (or he) doesn't stay past check-out, it will be over looked. Still worried about breaking the law? Well there's always the shuttle to Nye County and a legal bordello. And if you should run into a friend, family member, boss or employee, they're probably doing the same thing you are. We go to Las Vegas because it's the Disneyland of mischief.

This postcard was mailed from Canoga Park, California on April 5, 1967. It was addressed to Mr. Loppy Clark, Rich Hill, MO, 64799. And the message, "Hi, I'm Broke. Will be home in a few days. Marion."

21

I can't imagine this postcard made people want to gamble. The four players look bored, the casino looks empty, and there is something a bit sinister about the lurker in the shadows. The caption, "Legal, state-supervised gambling in Reno, Nevada, is one of the many attractions which draw thousands of tourists each year. A "21" game is pictured here in one of the city's many hotels and clubs." The publisher, "A MIKE ROBERTS COLOR PRODUCTION, BERKELEY 2, CALIF. Distributed by Sierra News Co., Reno." Thousands of tourists?

Einstein In Reno

When I first picked up this card, I thought I saw the profile of Albert Einstein. (On the right side of the card next to the lady with the red hat.) But as we all know, Albert Einstein dismissed the possibility of time travel, and since the gentleman in question looks like portraits I've seen of Al circa 1910, it can't be him. Printed on the back, "This is the largest gaming establishment in Nevada." And, "PUB. BY SIERRA NEWS CO., RENO, NEVADA. NATURAL COLOR POST CARD MADE IN U.S.A. BY E. C. KROPP CO., MILWAUKEE, WIS.-(DBL)" Of course Albert Einstein could have been wrong about time travel.

Ann Anderson, Bank Robber

Wire photos were a method used by news wire services to electronically transmit still images by either telegraph or telephone wires. The caption reads, "(RO2) Reno, Nev., Jan. 2--BOOKED ON BANK ROBBERY CHARGES Mrs. Ann Anderson, 28, of Petaluma, Calif., is one of three persons booked in the Reno city jail on bank robbery charges. Mrs. Anderson and her husband and 33-year-old Shirley Maniscalco of San Fransisco are being held in connection with a bank robbery at Cotati, Calif., last Friday. Their arrest followed a fight at a Reno motel last night in which a fourth member of the group, Ted Barker was shot and killed. (APWirephoto) (RS1420str) 1955" Stamped on the back, "MRS DONALD MRS ANN ANDERSON RECEIVED EXAMINER REFERENCE LIBRARY JAN 3 1955" This has been a rather frustrating post. I was able to find a listing for a California prison inmate named Ann Anderson, aged 84, and had this lady been sentenced to life, that would be the right age. And then the wall, access to prison, court, and arrest records cost money.

The Famous Old Crystal Bar

From the fifties, I would think. One man, four women, standing in front of The Famous Old Crystal Bar. Just added: I thought the name of the bar would be too common to identify the location, but with the use of my most powerful magnifying glass I was able to make out Washoe County on the sign, and was then able to place The Crystal Bar in Reno, Nevada. When this picture was taken, Nevada had the most liberal divorce laws in the country, and many Americans, anxious to get out of a bad marriage, headed to Reno for the waiting period and divorce. I'm thinking these five people may be knocking back a few while waiting for the judge to sign the decree.