I very much enjoyed Frank Steward’s Lake Tahoe “of the day” posts, and it was fun to be able to add some of our “stuff” to his threads on occasion. I also enjoyed Brian “Mr. Splashbar” Cashman’s “chip of the day” posts, where again I could often add a postcard or ashtray to the thread. I understand that all good things must come to an end (or at least a pause ), but now I have the urge to post something…but my two favorite thread-starters are on hiatus. Guess I’ll have to start something of my own…

I’m kind of burned out on coming up with new material (hence the abrupt stop to the 1940’s article…sorry folks ). In 2006 I wrote an article, on the history of Fremont Street, for the club magazine. I thought some of the new people here might enjoy the article. There will be more scans here than in the magazine, so hopefully the long-time club members will enjoy it also.

Hope you enjoy…and PLEASE add to the thread; add chips, dice, matchbooks, and even your stories!!

First published in the Casino Chip & Token News, Fall 2006, “reprinted” here with the permission of Todd Barrett. Thanks, Todd!

1 Fremont Street

Sal Sagev Casino, ?-1934: This building was constructed in 1906, and opened as the Hotel Nevada. In 1907 the first phone in Las Vegas was installed here, with the phone number “one”. In 1931, the year that gambling was legalized in Nevada, the Hotel expanded and changed its name to Sal Sagev. Sal Sagev is Las Vegas, spelled backwards, and is pronounced “Sal-Sagy”. In the 1990’s club member Gene Trimble researched gambling at the Sal Sagev, and learned that there was roulette and black jack until October of 1934. Gene saw 5 colors of SSC chips and the roulette wheel that they were played on. Gene also reported that there were poker games here in the 1940’s.

New note: Here’s a link to Gene’s article…read it!

http://www.marlowcasinochips.com/links/genetrimble/salsagev/salsagev.htm

I'm thrilled to say that we've added a Sal Sagev chip to our collection! We chose the red chip because it was used on the blackjack tables.