Essential Bill Harrah - the very Nevada story of the founder of Harrahs Tahoe, Reno and car guy!

He did it right. This is the fascinating story of William F. Harrah! He had more influence on modern gaming as an individual than anyone. Planning on a stay at Harrah's Lake Tahoe? Check out the backstory here! Today the humble Bingo parlors he started have morphed into the largest gaming empire in the world. We visit his story, meet his celebrity friends, talk about his incredible classic car collection, and visit his final resting place in Idaho. Plus we visit Mo's on the River near downtown Reno - a great little place to unwind!
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#history #harrahstahoe #harrahs #reno #carcollection #classiccars #nevada #venicebeach #idaho
This is the place to learn interesting things about Reno and Nevada! My name is Steve and I've lived in Reno for 37 years (as an adult!). I've had a lifelong interest in historical topics, and spend much time exploring and researching this wonderful area. I started this channel to share some of what I've learned. I produced a full-length documentary film on the history of Harolds Club casino in 2015.
Perhaps you're thinking of moving to Reno and are looking for background on the area, or you're already a resident and this content might help give you a sense of place. I shall endeavor to cater to both groups!
I'm also a craft beer enthusiast, and thought I'd talk about some of that brewery scene here as well. I started homebrewing 31 years ago in 1992, and earned the Certified Cicerone designation in 2015 - this is a sommelier-esque program for beer people.
Please subscribe, share and come along with me on this journey! Thanks and cheers!
Steve

[@Truckngirl]

My parents were employees at Harrah's Lake Tahoe in 60's. My mom was a blackjack dealer when women weren't allowed to in Vegas. Bill Harrah treated his employees VERY well. As a child, our summer fun would take a trip to his treasured automobile collection. I was so sad to hear that it was sold piecemeal. Thank you for your video.

[@SteveTRYK]

Great memories! Thanx!

[@georgesenda1952]

I knew Bill Harrah when we lived in Reno. I was in the 7th grade then & he was a very nice man and I hated when they sold off his car collection.

[@SteveTRYK]

How cool to have known him!

[@user-zb8dq6nj5v]

After Mr. Harrah died and Holiday Inn bought Harrah’s, it was still run by Bob Ring substantially the same. I started working there in 1983 and was amazed by how well the company treated employees who were loyal to the company and upheld the high standards required. At the time, Harrah*s was the best casino in Reno. It was Harrah’s who showed other companies such as the Peppermill and the Eldorado how to run a casino .Harrahs didn go to “shit” until Phil Satre hired Gary Loveman as CEO. Loveman was an MIT Professor who thought he could measure every aspect of the company and demand every department improve results by a small percentage. His trick only worked for a while until the pressure put on employees was unbearable. I enjoyed my 28 years there.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for your insight! Bob Ring was hugely important there.

[@SuperChriscunningham]

When I worked at Harrahs tahoe Bill harrah constantly walked through the casino

[@Truckngirl]

And treated his employees like family!😊

[@btb1959]

Thank you so much for your Reno talks…I’ve lived here for 50 yrs & enjoy learning about the history! ❤

[@SteveTRYK]

We gots lots of history! Thanks and cheers!

[@scottmonroe1802]

Your channel is appreciated and so very well done. Although I only lived in Reno during the early 1980s working as a dealer at Harrah's while finishing an engineering degree at UNR, I absolutely loved it there. Your work both educates and takes me back to a rewarding time of my life. Thank you for what you do!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for sharing!

[@brianc6218]

What a fascinating part of Reno’s history. Thanks for doing the research and producing this video. Future generations may never know how prominent that name was in Reno.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks Brian - my pleasure!

[@MrShobar]

Wow. Sam Butera and the Witnesses were performing at Harrah's 5:07. Harold's Club was knocked over by Brian Keith et al. in "Five Against the House". The Harrah's Auto Museum was a real experience. He had various models of the same make lined up next to each other.

[@SteveTRYK]

One of the great collections! Big shame its not all still together.

[@georgesenda1952]

I used to spend hours in his car museum.

[@JerryEldridge-tm3yl]

I've lived in Reno/Sparks over 50 years I met Bill several times in the early 70's he was the nicest successful person I've ever met.

[@SteveTRYK]

Cool! I was only 14 when he passed.

[@charlesterry4120]

At one time he had white wall tires on a tractor trailer truck. I saw one in Douglas Alley on the red carpet.

[@damsonahoe2437]

Wow - great video. I had no idea Bill Harrah was laid to rest in Hailey Cemetery. I lived right across from there on Eureka Dr from 1990 - 94.

[@SteveTRYK]

He loved it up there - so much that he wanted to spend eternity there!

[@joezip6389]

Great video thanks!

[@SteveTRYK]

Glad you liked it!

[@YNLEXPOSURE]

Lots of great information! There is never a need to mention Bill Cosby’s name in any positive light. A total PoS.

[@WilliamFiler]

Guy I knew up in Ketchum was friends with Bill Harrah, tried to talk him into buying Sun Valley Co before the "Mormon's" did, which they did (The Holdings of SLC). Anyways he said Harrah "I'm a casino guy not a ski resort guy".

[@SteveTRYK]

Interesting - thanks!

[@kenuber4014]

Great history lesson!

[@SteveTRYK]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zoelevit2223]

Great video! Just moved to Reno and live right by the river! Definitely checking out Mo’s

[@SteveTRYK]

Cool! Say Hi to Mo! Cheers!

[@jamesoreily1472]

yeah i could see caesors doing that with his name, that company destroys everything they get their hands on, great video

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks!

[@aseainfo]

I discovered your channel a few days ago and have been slowly going through all of your content. VERY well done Steve. This is a great channel and I really enjoy watching. I'm fascinated with the Reno area and as a Californian, I long for my future move over the mountain to Reno one day.

[@SteveTRYK]

Awesome, thank you!

[@unr74]

Just a suggestion for a future project- Bill and Moya Lear

[@Woodjunkie]

My dad worked at Harvey's on the Graveyard shift in the late 60's and early 70's as a dealer tnen pit boss. Many of the performers would come over from Harrah's to gamble and party. My dad said that Bill did not think it was proper for them to party in his casino. My dad got to know all the brat pack.

[@SteveTRYK]

Those were the days - thanks for sharing! Your dad saw some cool stuff for sure.

[@greggmadsen4622]

Back in the late 80's I gambled at Harrah's and absolutely loved that casino and the warm environment created there. I was 18 at the time and would play slots while hiding in back rows hoping to avoid those possibly wanting to see my ID. Good times though! I haven't been to Reno in 30+ years and was saddened to hear in this video that Harrah's Reno in no more. Thank you so much for honoring the man! Absolutely fascinating!

[@SteveTRYK]

Appreciate the comments! His name lives on with other properties...

[@Variety1985]

Harrah's RENO ... it was somewhat of a surprise when it closed. I had the opportunity to see many entertainers inside SAMMY'S SHOWROOM during the MID to LATE 90s and all THANKS to a wonderful COMP system they offered 😊

[@SteveTRYK]

Sammy's Showroom - fond memories! Cheers!

[@edwil111]

Harrahs downtown casino/hotel needed an update, probably costing $150 to $200 million. Of course, seems someone opens up anther Indian casino in Nor Cal every year. Competition!

[@Variety1985]

@@edwil111 In the late 90s ... I was seeing how GAMING in California was hurting RENO. So much so ... I must have seen a DOZEN casinos 🎰 CLOSE their doors.

[@cheriereevessperr2942]

Oooh, every Gregg Thompson Production in Sammy's was 🔥 Yep. Miss it. Tried to get some of those cards outside the showroom, but no luck.

[@Variety1985]

@@cheriereevessperr2942 My FIRST SHOW to see was "HIT CITY" 🤗

[@tobysan1966]

Another fantastic submission! Thoroughly enjoy the history and also appreciate the possible tie into your family. Thank you again for sharing and the time that you put into each video!!

[@SteveTRYK]

I appreciate the support Tobysan!

[@HooDatDonDar]

I have heard from several sources that Harrah’s favorite drink was the Moscow Mule. Do you know anything about this? In his book Beat the Dealer (1964), Edward O. Thorp did not name the Tahoe casino where he thought he had been poorly treated as a card counter. Instead, he wrote, "Immediately I had a Moscow Mule", which is funny, to be so specific about a drink. Perhaps he was subtly hinting that the location was Harrah's Lake Tahoe, due to Harrah's then well-known proclivity for the drink.

[@SteveTRYK]

I have no idea about Bill and that drink - but that sounds interesting!

[@michaelharbold7977]

I lived in Reno in 1994. I enjoyed this video and I remember visiting the auto museum. I also frequently hung out in the non-smoking sportsbook of Harrah's. When I lived there, I lived in a dump on 2nd Street called the Senator Hotel, which I understand has since been renovated. There was a high rise casino called the Comstock near the Senator, that has since been converted into apartments. I remember the steak and eggs special for about $2 at the top of the Cal Neva. I also remember the Golden Nugget diner on Virginia Street. I remember the bowling stadium being constructed and I remember the Reno Hilton. I also remember the Flamingo Hilton and the Turf Club. I miss those days sometimes and know things have changed and will never be the same again....I enjoy videos like this - they bring back some fond memories. Thank you for the contribution and please keep up the good work.

[@SteveTRYK]

I appreciate your recollections! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelgrant2914]

You are doing it right, Steve! Good work and thank you for all you do.

[@ghosttownsofnevadaandcalif6821]

Great video!...can you do one on Harvey Gross?

[@SteveTRYK]

Possibly!

[@dennisrogers5106]

Very, very interesting. Again, thank you for all your research and hard work. I actually did own stock in Harrahs Corporation at one time. I do remember it as being billed as the only gaming stock on the market. Keep up the good work.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks my man!

[@baconrinds]

Love your stuff. If you can, come down to Black Rabbit Mead on 8/22 at 730. Bring your guitar if you can stand to jam with a bluegrass band

[@SteveTRYK]

Bluegrass musicians can jam! I'll see what I can do!

[@kosmokramer5420]

I would love to see a episode on Milos "Sharkey" Begovich the founder of sharkeys casino in gardnervile i have heard some wild stories about him

[@SteveTRYK]

He was an interesting cat!!

[@unr74]

🎲🎲🎲🎲🎲 You were in Hailey and didn’t stop by and say hello? ☹️ I have several ancestors in that cemetery. Anyway, Harrah’s Hideout Bar - that was the place to be way back in time. The Prime Rib all you can eat buffet-$1.95! A friend of mine worked as a valet and ended up wrecking (one of) Mr. Harrah’s Ferraris . The shop salvaged the drive train and shoved it into a Jeep Wagoneer - - The Jerrari. True story.

[@SteveTRYK]

It was raining and a Sunday evening and I thought the gates would lock and I'd have to spend the night in the boneyard! Thanks for your unwavering support UNR74!!!

[@norcalemt02]

Please do more on the hotel history throughout Reno. They are fantastic. I’m going down the rabbit hole thanks to your videos.

[@SteveTRYK]

I'll look into that! Cheers!

[@gosb88]

You're doing an amazing job. Cheers to you

[@SteveTRYK]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@samuelharrisbrock9617]

I was Verna Harrah's House Manager-Rancho Santa Fe-Bel-Air-Sun Valley-Time Warner Building NYC. Mrs. Harrah was extremely kind. I know Mr. And Mrs. Harrah's Life together, which was cut short with Mr. Harrah passing. Mrs. Harrah shared many cherished memories of her past with me, as I was very fortunate to have daily private chats with Mrs. Harrah. Samuel Harris Brock from Rancho Santa Fe, California, residency Prishtina Kosovo

[@SteveTRYK]

Cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@martharunstheworld]

Great video on Harrah!!!

[@thomasnorman4221]

I hit a top bottom keno in Harrahs Tahoe...17 top 3 bottom 1979

[@aunch3]

Excellent video, Bill seemed like a good man. I stayed there last in 2016 and have a lot of good memories at Harrahs

[@jamshidhajimomen5463]

Thank you for great information by the way any luck on checking on what happened to ponderosa casino

[@robertrogers7331]

My mothers sisters husbands sisters husband, was at one time Bill Harrah's chief automobile restorer. In the early 60's Bill hired a stenographer to record the old car information that he would recite. I saw the collection and got to ride in his right hand drive 1914? Maxwell. Jack Benny, Bill Harrah, and me.

[@SteveTRYK]

Awesome!!

[@whip-its_dad4239]

Love these video's of Reno . Thank you . I still have a lot of the silver 10.00 commemorative tokens from the casinos in Lake Tahoe and Reno .

[@SteveTRYK]

Glad you like them!

[@robertrogers7331]

My sister just told me that Uncle Bernie had carte blanche to purchase cars for Bill Harrah.

[@stephenhipp7859]

Mr B would walk through his casinos and talk to you. He was a good dude. He helped a certain waitress when his staff treated her badly. Life was good then. The mapes. All these transplants has turned it to a lil san jose

[@jbenziggy]

Wonderful look back at a very unique individual and career. I appreciate all the effort that you took making this video. You did not disappoint because my question was during the video, where is he buried?

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks Jeff!! Appreciate your feedback!

[@Variety1985]

Based on the information in this video ... Harrah is BURIED in IDAHO.

[@jbenziggy]

@@Variety1985 yes I was acknowledging that he answered my question,

[@TahoeRealm]

GREAT video - Thanks 🌲

[@SteveTRYK]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@edwil111]

Good stuff Steve! And right now that company that runs "Rancharrah "is tearing down the horse stables that have been there for decades. Just so they can use the land for more residences and development. Many horses had to relocate....Just Awful.

[@SteveTRYK]

I saw that about the stables. Too bad.

[@jeannebalderston2051]

Thank you for your video about Bill 20: 20:18 Harrah18

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for watching!

[@warrenmackeydiscdragons]

I had recently ETS ed out of Army and was raised Catholic which helped also Bob Sotard ? was one cool motherfuvkrr and gave me the job. He was a Vietnam bad ass soldier miss the man

[@warrenmackeydiscdragons]

Unlike crooked cops and thin blue fucking line this sense of loyalty is beyond words

[@warrenmackeydiscdragons]

Many of my best platoon Sargents were the lifer guys out of Vietnam fucking guys had your back like most could never understand true leadership by example and loyalty to the core

[@TomSmith-ls5rn]

Absolutely wonderful! Thank you.

[@SteveTRYK]

You're very welcome!

[@warrenmackeydiscdragons]

What’s happening brah. I believe both of us are of roughly the same generation. I was a bellman at the Peppermill early 90’s. It’s was hopping back then, unlike today. The owner was an old guy Mr Seeno from Contra Costa county in CA from what I understand. I was also from the general area Piedmont and Orinda anyway he was obviously wealthy but wound take Mike Lee Tours from the Bay to Reno cuz he was frivolous. Heard something that family was like last of Mafia like influence. I went out Halloween night with the guys that delivered the news papers and shit. They dressed up as 20’s gangsters and invited me and shit cuz I was a funny guy we did a bunch of shrooms it turned out and toward the end of night I didn’t have a car you know and there driving me home and I’m having a bad trip cuz I think and they implying that I did something fucking stupid and there taking me out literally and shit they drove me home laughing hard etc Cuz these cats were the real deal

[@buztes]

Holiday Inn Destroyed his collection

[@lapidaryland]

I worked for his ex wife roxy. I bought her red caddy, Bill bought it for her. So I had a Harrah's car a red Eldorado.

[@SteveTRYK]

Too cool! Do you still have it?

[@lapidaryland]

@@SteveTRYK I wish I did, just for the memories.

[@lapidaryland]

@@SteveTRYK Sold it to friend in Reno.

[@lapidaryland]

@@SteveTRYK I loved that place, I grew up with Showgirls and professional poker players as Friends of the family. I drove a cab in Reno, I would take you to the mustang ranch. 😜 I made the blue prints, for Reno international. My sister graduated reno high.

[@SuperChriscunningham]

Harrahs was a five star casino but after he died it went to shit

[@user-zb8dq6nj5v]

Harrahs didn't go to “shit” until Phil Satre hired Gary Loveman as CEO. Loveman was an MIT Professor who thought he could measure every aspect of the company and demand every department improve results by a small percentage. His trick only worked for a while until the pressure put on employees was unbearable.

[@tucobenitas6658]

It's a shame to see what downtown Reno has turned in to, downtown use to be the life and soul of reno