Kingman questioned after Harveys bombing
It was 34 years ago this week that a bomb blew up Harveys at Stateline. Photo/Western Nevada Historic Photo Collection
Aug. 27 marks 34 years since the Harveys bombing.
I was the chief engineer of KRLT, whose transmitter is atop Harveys.
Of course, the building was evacuated and the station was off the air when the bomb was found. I was allowed to trek all the stairs to the roof the day after the bomb blast to check on our transmitter equipment. Iit was OK.
The building smelled like a wet, dark smoldering fireplace, and was pretty much hollowed out from the basement to the fourth and fifth floors. What a mess. The hallway on the sixth floor had an obvious bulge in the middle. Regardless, its concrete and steel structural integrity was such that the building was restored.
An FBI agent said I looked like one of the suspects and I was questioned.
This link is a terrific video by Chris Ronay of the FBI who investigated.
— Bill Kingman
I can remember from the roof of Caesar’s the very strong smell of sulfur after the bomb went off. Harvey’s was a sad sight to see with the top section of the Pavilion casino blown off. However it was rebuilt better than ever and then the second tower was added. What a Big difference seeing it today
This year also marks the 70th anniversary of Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Saloon opening.
Harvey Gross also owned the historic James Canyon Ranch in Carson Valley, where a metal arch marked the entrance to his ranch house for 50 years. Sadly that historic arch was recently removed.
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I continue to be amazed at Bill’s historical connections and his sharing of Tahoe’s past. That video is incredibly informing. Thank you again Bill, for keeping Tahoe’s history alive for all of us.
I clearly remember those days. What a mess.
Thanks for sharing that Bill, A friend of mine made a stencil and sprayed on some cheap t shirts with black spray paint, in big letters,on the front saying
“Lets get bombed at Harveys”. There was also a little drawing of the Harveys Wagon Wheel and cow skull flying up in the sky thru a plume of smoke. He made several of these and went to the Raleys parking lot selling them with the shirts draped over his arm, hawing them to all the onlookers who were watching all the action. That was quite a day! OLS
I remember the “I got bombed at Harvey’s” t-shirts. And the drink of the day that everyone was having? A Harvey Wallbanger of course!
I’m not joking….
Bill….you’re a highly suspicious looking guy!!
There was a rumor that the bomb was so sophisticated that it might take out more than the Casino.
I remember hearing of some people leaving town on that note.
One of my friends was hired to photograph the bomb so I still have copies of it somewhere. Looked like a big metal box with a bunch of dials at the top as I recall.