Laughlin Nevada Founder Don Laughlin Has Died

Author Carla Rea

October 23rd, 2023 10:29 AM

Founder of Laughlin, Don Laughlin, Dies

Don Laughlin, the man who created the town that’s named after him, has died. According to a Facebook post from Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino, 92-year-old Laughlin died on Sunday .

Laughlin Nevada Became A Getaway For Las Vegas Locals

Laughlin is one of those odd little hidden towns outside of Las Vegas that many Vegas locals take in for a nearby getaway. It gets hot as hell in summer — literally — but you can rent a jet ski, and hang out on the river, or just stay inside one of the hotels like Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino.

A 2016 Las Vegas Review-Journal story reported then that Don Laughlin, 85 at the time, was still working 14-hour days at his Riverside Resort.

Laughlin told the Review Journal, “When we came here there was a dirt road in here and you had to come in by way of the dam,” Laughlin recalled. “If it rained, you couldn’t get here.”

The name of the town actually came from the U.S. Postal Service. In 1968 they decided to call their substation at the resort the “Laughlin substation.” So, of course, the surrounding area became Laughlin.

Don Laughlin Was A High School Dropout

His story isn’t unlike many early casino owners. Don Laughlin only went to high school for a year. He had a slot machine and punchboard route. Punchboards were kind of like lottery tickets, but bigger on larger boards.

When Laughlin was in ninth grade, his principal said either quit the gambling route or leave school. He was making about $500 a week, which was a lot of money at the time. So his choice was pretty clear: Bye-bye high school!

According to a bio on the Riverside Resort’s website, Laughlin came to Las Vegas in 1952. He was a waiter during the day and learned to deal card at night. In 1954, he bought the 101 Club in North Las Vegas.

Obviously, Don Laughlin built on that chicken dinner and two table games. The city of Laughlin has grown and has become a hugely popular Las Vegas getaway. Laughlin now has eight casino-resorts, and it quite the hopping strip.

Old School Las Vegas Hospitality

Laughlin had a reputation for being very kind to his employees. He often greeted employees while strolling through the casino. He is in the American Gaming Association Gaming Hall of Fame, and he told the Review-Journal he turned down offers over the years to buy other casinos. He had no interest in expanding.

Rest in Peace Don Laughlin. And thank you for giving Las Vegas locals a unique river retreat, in Laughlin Nevada.

Carla Rea is the morning show co-host on “The Mike and Carla Morning Show" on 96.3 KKLZ, in Las Vegas. She has been working with her partner and friend Mike O'Brian for the past 25 plus years. At KKLZ for 12 years. Carla Rea is a Gracie Award winner. She started out in talk radio, "when talk radio was still fun" Rea says. Prior to, and along with doing the morning show, Carla is also a comedian. You may have seen her on Conan O'Brien, Evening at The Improv, Showtime, or several comedy clubs across the country. Carla also worked as a light feature reporter at KSNV/NBC Las Vegas, going behind the scenes at various shows, and restaurants on the Las Vegas strip. As a content creator 96.3 KKLZ, Carla writes in a sarcastic, cheeky, unapologetic way on Las Vegas, movies, TV, celebrities, and this thing we call life.

The Wildest City In The US Is In Nevada

The new report is out on “America’s Wildest Cities.” Number one? Well – it’s not Las Vegas. But another Nevada city leads the pack.

The new list includes some “snowbird” favorite destinations in Florida and Arizona, like Tucson, Sarasota, and Tampa.

Warm states like Florida and Arizona have reputations are definitely popular SNOWBIRD destinations, but that doesn’t necessarily mean their cities shut down at 5:00 P.M., after all the senior citizens have finished dinner. Wait – yes it does.

The report was compiled using many factors, including alcohol and binge drinking stats, marijuana use, harder drugs like cocaine, casinos, and strip clubs. Does it sound fun yet? Yeah – not the prettiest factors, but so be it.

What is the “wildest city? It’s this writers hometown – the highest “wild” score went to RENO, Nevada.

Now, growing up in Reno, I certainly don’t remember all of those things being a factor . For us it was the 24 hour city, sure, but it was also skiing, lakes, shows concerts. Yes, before Las Vegas became what it is today, there weren’t many concerts. Artists went to Reno, because Las Vegas was where “entertainers went to die.” (That quote is directly from Las Vegans, years ago.)

How did your city fare?

Portland, Oregon is second, followed by Traverse City, Michigan, and then – yep – Las Vegas! Followed by Milwaukee and Pittsburgh.

There are also a lot of “not-so-sleepy” Florida and Arizona cities at the top, like Tucson at number 6, Sarasota at number 8, Phoenix number 9, and Tampa (sorry Panthers) at number 11.

They even beat out cities like New Orleans (number 15), Atlantic City (number 16), Nashville (number 17), Los Angeles (number 30???), and New York City (number 40???). Hmmm…

Of the 50 cities considered, El Paso, Texas ranked as the LEAST wild. Well – I mean…

Here are some of my personal pictures of the beautiful things Reno, Nevada has to offer.

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The Reno Arch
The most current Reno Arch. There have been several throughout the decades.

Carla Rea via BMG Las Vegas
The Reno Arch in Winter

Carla Rea via BMGI Las Vegas
Downtown Reno Display
This is an art piece in Downtown Reno, that has made its way to Burning Man!

Carla Rea via BMG Las Vegas
Downtown Reno Art
This piece in Downtown Reno has also made its way to Burning Man

Carla Rea via BMG Las Vegas
Downtown Reno Art
Lots of art exhibits in Reno, NV. A very clorful dolphin

Carla Rea via BMG Las Vegas
Reno High School
Built in 1951, this was the High School Carla Rea graduated from. Probably, just barely!

Carla Rea via BMG Las Vegas
Carla's Elementary School
Little Carla Rea’s Grade School

She spent a lot of time in the office…

Carla Rea via BMG Las Vegas
The city of Truckee, just outside of Reno
A gas stop in Truckee

Carla Rea via BMG Las Vegas
Lake Tahoe - Nevada side
Beautiful Lake Tahoe, just minutes from Reno

Carla Rea via BMG Las Vegas
Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe Nevada
Beautiful Sand Harbor Beach at Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Carla Rea via BMG Las Vegas
Virginia Lake, Reno NV
Virginia Lake in Reno, Nevada

Carla Rea via BMG Las Vegas
Truckee River, Reno

Carla Rea via BMG Las Vegas