Fourth Of July On The River

Discussion in 'Holidays & Traditions' started by Frank Sanoica, Jul 4, 2016.

  1. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
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    Pretty busy, but no record. 4th. at end of holiday, many already left after 3 days! Hot, 105 degrees, water cold, as always. 1950s, Laughlin did not exist, nor did Bullhead City, right across the river. State line runs down center of river. Mile and a half north, Davis Dam, completed 1953(?), restricted the river flow which previously had been strictly "Hoover Dam" water, creating Lake Mohave, long north to south, narrow east-west, but nonetheless a beautiful, unspoiled and clear lake.

    Davis construction caused the building of housing for construction workers, many home-sized buildings were still present the first time I saw this place, about 1967. Since then, Davis Camp, as it was called, has had most of the housing razed, and a park created as part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Needing basic services, a town grew on the Arizona side, called then Hardyville, the early cemetery still bearing that name. The name was officially changed to Bullhead City in deference to a big rock formation's unusual shape out on Lake Mohave.

    Don Laughlin, a Minnesota native, bought the old motel on the Nevada side having 7 rooms, 2 of which he used to house his family, in the 1970s. All vehicular traffic at that time desiring to cross the river had to do so by driving across Davis Dam. Laughlin's requests for funding fell on deaf ears among the big guys in Vegas; he secured financing through friends in Minnesota, built a 4-lane bridge across the river, the west end of the bridge marking the beginning of "Casino Row", Don's place being the first encountered (and then, the only one!). Through a series of expansions, he has made his Riverside Resort one of the more popular amongst the 8 others which followed him. I think the Vegas bunch "bit the bullet", then, seeing the potential in Laughlin. They included Sam Boyd, of Sam's Town fame, who built Sam's Gold River, 1-1/2 miles south of the Riverside. Interesting story behind that one, but best told elsewhere.

    Don Laughlin is now 85, I believe, and still lives in the penthouse atop his huge tower of rooms. He can often be seen walking about the casino, but rather than braving the traffic when travelling, he keeps his personal helicopter on top of the tower! Frank

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  2. Joe Riley

    Joe Riley Supreme Member
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    Great pictures, Frank!:cool:
     
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  3. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
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    @Joe Riley Appreciate it, Joe! My wife took them today. I guess all the gambling meccas have recently taken beatings, though. Sam's Town Gold River, assessed at $190million in 1992, sold in 2014 for $ 6.7 million!
     
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  4. Corie Henson

    Corie Henson Veteran Member
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    Gee, what can I say with this historical thread? It looks like the memories in your mind are still vivid that you even remember the names of people and places. This is an interesting thread since you have written it like a personal diary. And do you mean 100 plus degrees on 4th of July? That's too hot for you there, I guess.
     
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