The Strange Tale of Whiskey Pete

Located about 40 miles south of Las Vegas on Interstate 15, Primm, Nevada has about 300,000 cars drive by it every day and consists of three casinos, a few shops, and several gas stations. Long before this place was known as Primm though, it was called State Line, and a man named Whiskey Pete terrorized a number of motorists who dared to stop at his service station.
From the late 1920s to the early 1930s Whiskey Pete McIntyre ran a service station at State Line, and his reputation was so bad that even the Las Vegas paper was writing about him. Quite a few travelers between Las Vegas and Southern California regretted stopping at his station, one even left with a bullet wound. His legend in these parts was so well known, when Ernest Primm decided to open a casino at the California and Nevada border, he called it Whiskey Pete's. Little did he know though, Pete had never left and would be making a surprising return.
In this video we visit Primm, talk about the legend of Whiskey Pete, and check out the place where he was refound.
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[@cecemimi9304]

My husband and I stayed at Whiskey Pete’s years ago. We saw the Bonnie & Clyde car. Thanks for giving us a history lesson.

[@White_as_black]

I lived in Vegas over 20 years and I never knew about the legend of Whisky Pete. Thanks!

[@mobiltec]

Wow. Great story. And I'm glad they found him.

[@shaynestephens]

Las Vegas Blvd does begin in Primm but disappears back into I-15 a half mile up the road. Then a few miles south of Jean, NV the road appears again as dirt then unmaintained pavement then maintained pavement. It continues for about 25 miles north of Las Vegas where it merges back into I-15. You cannot drive from Primm to Jean on Las Vegas Blvd. I have explored the entire length. Las Vegas Blvd. was the former US 91 and US 466. Great video!

[@Qusin111]

I use drive it a lot but like you said you can't take the road from Primm into Vegas anymore, but you can jump on it at Jean.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I just realized that today. For whatever reason Google lets you plan the drive all the way down Las Vegas Blvd from Primm, but driving back towards California today I saw the sign at Jean that said road closed five miles ahead and was like "oh no, I just said it was open in a video!"

[@secretdaisy6484]

@@SidetrackAdventuresIt’s no big deal. Google maps 🗺 & directions 🧭 make some mistakes now & then. Imagine following an uncertain mapway in an unpopulated area on a bicycle 🚴 where you won’t find any roadside stores or even people for a few days. You really have to plan ahead & know what you’re doing. A GPS or a Garmin InReach with an SOS 🆘 button can save your bacon 🥓🙃 especially if you have an accident. Stuff happens. Be prepared. 🩹🤕

[@conniewojahn6445]

@@secretdaisy6484 "Some mistakes now & then" is being kind. Luckily, I rarely to anyplace anymore where a serious, accurate map is needed.

[@justineburke3256]

I was gonna say the same about LV BLVD not going thru!! I was a waitress at Whiskey Pete’s & Buffalo Bills 95-99!!

[@Michael-ex9uo]

This is awesome that you have an “excuse” to travel all around the country. As always, Thanks for the history

[@fullmoonAZ]

Whiskey Pete sounds like a sweet guy.

[@davidgwin4540]

It takes one to know he wasn't 😂

[@franklauriekranitsky2782]

I knew Ernie Primm's son Greg. They owned the three casinos at Primm. Great to here the story of "Whiskey Pete" Thanks!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Very cool!

[@VintageCarHistory]

It's been almost 30 years since I last visited Whiskey Pete's. The Bonnie & Clyde car was there back in the late '80's, but the Whiskey Pete display wasn't there back then. The place was dark back then, with cigarette smoke covering everything.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

It probably hasn't changed much in 30 years aside from the tram not running and the car moving to Primm Valley.

[@lutomson3496]

Bonnie and Clyde car was at boomtown for a while and is owned by the terrible Herbst organization

[@kmath50]

I traveled through this area many times as a child, going to visit my aunt and uncle in Las Vegas. I only remember there being a Texaco State with a light mounted on a tall tower. It was just US 91 back then. I didn't know that US 91 is still there between Primm and Las Vegas. There was also "Pop's Oasis" further north in Jean, NV.

[@CactusAtlas]

Man... I KNOW that we researched Whiskey Pete ages ago after going through Primm but I swear I don't remember half of this. Great job with the history as always! 🙂

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I had read the sign before but since it mostly talks about his ghost or whatever I just kind of blew it off.

[@R32R38]

As for the Bonnie & Clyde Death Car, as one point there were at least ten "authentic" versions around the country making the county fair circuit,

[@BenDover-fi6ow]

Yeah the one in prim looks kinda faked for some reason

[@sheridowsett9929]

Great story!

[@TheRealDrJoey]

As late as the 60s, and I think even the early 70s, there was a little old casino there called Cactus Annie's. I remember it well. They actually had hitch post for tying up horses.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That's pretty cool.

[@freedomlover24-7]

Last year I drove to Vegas from Palm Springs via backroads through Amboy and Goffs and got on the i-15 near Primm. There were some interesting and historical sites to see along that route.

[@wilsonpicket8505]

Drove that way myself yesterday. I'm from Indio.

[@wuzpoor]

Occasionally I spend the night at the Flying J truck stop …Now I have a better understanding of this very interesting history . Thanks for sharing..😎😎

[@michaelroche1987]

Love this channel. Some rich guy def has pioneer pete in his collection.

[@BenDover-fi6ow]

Yea facts. It’s so hard for people to say where he’s buried. Maybe he ain’t buried. Anymore.

[@realRichHunting]

I stayed at Whiskey Pete's when I was 19... around 2001. I was thinking about taking a road trip out that way and came across your video. Awesome to see that it's still around! Thanks for the upload.

[@charleshaggard4341]

Great story and history of a "character" of the old west. I really enjoy your channel and can't wait for the next adventure.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you very much!

[@sondrajoyce8810]

You have a calming voice. This was so interesting, Thank you........

[@SidetrackAdventures]

You’re welcome 😊

[@michaelsimonds2632]

What Damian said! I always enjoy your work, Mr. Adventures.

[@elizabethbogle3533]

Over by the sign is a plaque marking the spot where he's buried. You can walk over under the big Whiskey Pete's sign and see it.

[@stephaniejames4940]

One of my favorite games here used to be Texas Pete. When you hit, that whole little spill is what you hear. Never knew the history behind it. Just thought it was part of the game.

[@stevenkaskus6173]

Great information about Whiskey Pete, never knew he was a real person and definitely a crazy one too. I have a question, can you either fill me in on the MONORAIL THAT WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED OR DO A STORY ON IT. It would be of great interest.

[@conniewojahn6445]

Bad behavior creates legends, good behavior creates pleasant dreams. Whiskey Pete ain't dreaming nice things.

[@richardhamilton1567]

My brother lived in Primm. Theres apartments on the backside of Buffalo Bills for employees of the Casino properties. I lived in Jean for 6 months at the Gold Strike Casino while working on a job. Nothing there but a prison. 12 miles North of Primm, next stop. Nevada Highway Patrol Air station is there also.

[@BenDover-fi6ow]

Did u pay to live there?

[@calvarycustoms6681]

Wow Steve, that is just amazing! I’ve been out there in Primm dozens of times - often right there at Whiskey Pete’s - and I never knew that name belonged to an actual person! So cool that you researched the story and shared it with us. 👍🏼

[@johnnyfreedom3437]

I always love your videos Steve! And I love the stories of America's old highways and the roadside stands on them! I live on Route 66 in Oklahoma. There's still a lot of cool stuff on Route 66! See you next time buddy!

[@thatplace1]

Good old Pete’s. I didn’t know they changed the name of Stateline. Wow, incredible facts and history. Fun journey 👍 thanks 🤠

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@trailcameralakeloon]

Why did Mozart hate chickens? Because when he asked them for their favorite composer, they said, "Bach! Bach! Bach!

[@dougfalstad5227]

I stayed in Whiskey Pete’s motel and casino in 2012. Was there for a World Off Road Championship or WORCS race that is held in Primm every year.

[@kurtweiand7086]

Thanks Steve. Been through there a few times. Always wanted to do that coaster there, 🙄 but never did.

[@IRONJUNK625]

Fantastic! Another story done well. Thank you.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jaydee3046]

I remember the death car attraction in the 60's. There was a filling station/casino and trailers there. As an aside, the shot up 34 Ford from the 60's movie was being toured for awhile. Bet that caused some confusion.

[@SWillibr]

Very cool! I've been there many times to see B&C death car, etc., but never knew about Pete!

[@CMarshallD]

Stop there in the early 80’s headed back to LA. All I had was a roll of nickels left. Turned that into a few hundred bucks and promptly left!

[@josephmartinez8803]

First time time I saw Whiskey Pete's was in 1978. First time I ever stopped to go inside was in the early 90s.

[@danielneece6404]

Great grandma said great grand dad and Pete were buddies but he didn't get caught. Sure wish I had more info she also said she lived not to far from the James boys in Missouri, and didn't no why people were mad at them and she said the law started the fued that sent them on their path and they never killed anybody that didn't have it coming.. Love you stories keep em coming

[@steves7896]

I was just there for the Shifters Car Club 30th Anniversary Party. Cool video, learned something about my own neck of the woods. Stay away from the IHOP.

[@OpenRoader]

That was awesome. I have stopped at Pete's many times, never knew the story. Thank you

[@SidetrackAdventures]

No problem! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@CaptRich-bi3gp]

Oh man, bad memories near there. Around 1989 a friend and I had spent 10 days of fun of frivolity in Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo. After too much fun, not enough rest for 10 straight days then before hitting the road we made sure to get one more buffet. Our destination Colton CA; within a mile of Whiskey Pete's my friend behind the wheel of my car fell asleep. We both woke up after we had drifted into the center median. My buddy reacted poorly and sharply turned the wheel in an attempt to get back onto I-15. The front wheels dug in to the desert, at the rate we were going that initiated my car to roll. It rolled 4 times before coming to a stop with me no longer on board. Somewhere after the 2nd roll I flew out of the passenger window. I remember bouncing around inside the car yelling at my friend, the next moment I hit the desert floor in my stocking feet running chasing my car as it continued to roll away from me. I got to the car just as it came to a rest right side up. I had a laceration above my right eye, and later found out a broken ulnar on the arm I had shoulder surgery 3 weeks prior. We had stuff that flew out of my car for a quarter mile each way. It was my buddy's first time to Vegas and had grabbed stacks of the escort magazines that can be picked up free all over the boulevard; those things were everywhere, it looked like some sort of sick parade. After the ambulance got there to the crash site, it took us all the way back to Vegas. I never in my life hated seeing that town before as I did then. There's more to the story, but I've gone on long enough... ✌️

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That's one crazy story!

[@CaptRich-bi3gp]

@@SidetrackAdventures Oh yeah, I'm glad I'm here to tell it. I very well could have been killed that day flying out of the passenger window. I'm very lucky. Love your channel btw; content, the history's you research and share, also your delivery. You are a gem in a sea of stones, good stuff. 👍

[@Ro6entX]

Well can’t pretend he was a very nice man but certainly interesting history behind the name all the same 👍

[@birdman5223]

A true classic “MrSteve”

[@kimhildebrandt2725]

What an interesting story! I enjoy your videos so much. Hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving 🦃 🥧

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you! You too!

[@drumflip1253]

Love these videos. Just drove past there last week.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you like them!

[@jerroldkazynski5480]

I took the Blvd from Caesars to Jean once when I had "time to kill" waiting for my return flight. Neat story!

[@brianbirc]

I have been out there . I had to get some Terrible Gas ,some Terrible water and use a Terrible rest room.Terrrible Herbst did have a very vfast off road race Truggy that won a lot. Never had a chance to play at his Terrible cssino yet.

[@glennjudd2467]

Very interesting ! I had no idea , that this was a actually person ! Apparently he was crazy & evil !

[@praiserdusty]

Sounds like a great HBO TV show pitch

[@jamesrichardson1326]

Spent the night at Whiskey Pete's.

[@oakshillelagh4339]

A good video

[@swankles3877]

Sounds like Pete could have used some good customer service training 😊

[@larryaldrich4351]

First time I visited this site with the folks the casino was a semi trailer with slot machines.

[@Cobysant]

So why exactly is that man a legend?!

[@joespeaks3087]

I would like to see a video of Ft. Bragg

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Hey! Maybe someday. Shoot me an e-mail or a text. Would love to catch up.

[@goddessmakayla8158]

ahhh primm

[@Teampegleg]

Hey I've stopped there. Got snacks, used the bathroom, and disarmed before entering California.

[@rtalways]

That's the only casino I've ever won the 1st time going and I didn't put money back into it and I left a winner

[@secretdaisy6484]

Interesting. It’s too bad Whiskey Pete didn’t get a proper grave. He probably wasn’t a very nice person and without loving relatives there wasn’t anyone to give him a funeral and burial. Thanks for more interesting along the way information. Have a great Thanksgiving 🦃. 👍☮️🌞❤️

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

[@BurtBowers]

Is whiskey Pete's yet open today?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

It probably is. I think Buffalo Bills is the only one that is closed.

[@Qusin111]

you can't take the road from Primm into Vegas anymore, but you can jump on it at Jean

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah. I just realized this today. Google Maps still lets you plan the trip down Las Vegas Blvd, but driving home today I saw the road closed sign at Jean.

[@joewenzel5142]

Guilty: Have never stopped there.

[@wilsonpicket8505]

I just drove through there yesterday. Cool story. Thanks!

[@bglrj]

You made all that up! Nah, I believe you.

[@lescoe]

I suddenly want to play Fallout.

[@stephenatkison2914]

That is Bonnie and Clydes real death car.

[@DennisMartinezCalifornia]

Where's Primm Slimm 😭😣

[@rickparker8799]

Lol no one stops in Primm because they overcharge on everything.. but what happened to Buffalo Bill's? It seems like a ghost town.. or abandoned little amusement park

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah, Buffalo Bills seems to have been closed up for awhile. Even the parking lot was closed off the other day.

[@rickparker8799]

@@SidetrackAdventures I am a trucker and pass by there a lot plus some other cool spots you talk about..

[@MrFmiller]

I envy you.

[@jerrysullivan8424]

Maybe I missed it, Why did they name the casino after Him?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I'm not sure why they went with the name to be honest. My guess is his legend was still known in the area, but it doesn't really fit the castle design.

[@jerrysullivan8424]

@@SidetrackAdventures thank you.

[@Corgis175]

Definitely an onery old cuss

[@mawi1172]

I was there then. They dug him up. You tell a cute story. But him making a woman drive away in that desert with a heated car could have killed her. That's how women have been valued in Nevada for a hundred years. The authorities didn't even care.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah, who knows how many people had run ins with him.

[@Issicra]

Whiskey Pete is my hobo name

[@gobbleguk]

The mall isn’t as nice as it used to be

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I didn't go past the Bonnie and Clyde car to see, but there was no one heading towards it or from it.

[@R32R38]

@@SidetrackAdventures Dead mall. kzbin.info/www/bejne/roOqp2Wnn7Zre5o

[@adeptpeasant6161]

Seams like this guy was not liked by some and was railroaded by the establishment

[@cowboykody6775]

What happened to the Whiskey Pete's Truck Stop???

[@SidetrackAdventures]

The travel center is still there. Gas was much higher than Vegas or even Jean though.

[@UrMothersLoverr]

I never knew all that I always just thought it was a shitty ass casino