Then and now: Memories of 1952 Stateline
Gateway Club in 1952. Photo/Del Laine Collection/Lake Tahoe Historical Society
In 1952, George’s Gateway Club stood on the corner of Stateline Avenue and Highway 50. In 1955, Bill Harrah purchased it and opened his first Tahoe casino, Harrah’s Club.
Harvey Gross’s Wagon Wheel Saloon and Gambling Hall stood next door.
1952 brought lots of snow to Stateline. Photo/Del Lane Collection/Lake Tahoe News
Across the street were Sahati’s Stateline Country Club and the Nevada Club. In 1958, Bill Harrah purchased both and opened Tahoe Harrah’s. Harrah’s historic triangular marquee and parking lot were built about where the pictured coffee shop stood on the California side.
A plowed Highway 50 in 1952 allowed barely one lane of traffic. Photo/Del Laine Collection/Lake Tahoe Historical Society
The same Highway 50 at Stateline Avenue today. Photo/Bill Kingman
High rises dominate Stateline today.
— Bill Kingman
Harrah bought George’s in Jan 1955 for $500,000 and June 20, 1955 Harrah’s Lake Club opened.
Harrah sold it to Harvey Gross in 1956 for $5,250,000 CASH. The most expensive casino purchase ever at the time.
Let’s hope for a 1952 winter this year.
Kind of sad not to see a comment from Old Long Skiis this morning. He did seem to like these Sunday articles. He was one of the gentlemen on this site, always nice even if he did not agree with others. RIP Bob Rockwell.
Thanks Bill!
Sad to hear about OLS
I almost thought (well, hoped) that the Model A was the one my two cousins owned. I took almost no photos back then. But, a closer look shows tires and not rebar across the Kelsey Hays wheels. That’s how they (with me, visiting in January 1952) got around in the Winter. Fond memories of that huge storm in January. Nothing like it here since 1952.
Sorry to hear about Bob Rockwell.