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The final Wild West, Central Nevada boomtowns Tonopah and Goldfield, grabbed headlines across the country as famous men like Tex Rickard and Wyatt Earp hit town. As fabulous mining strikes were uncovered, the town set the stage for the original growth of casinos and legalized gaming in Nevada. Today, there is a direct link from those early saloons to the casinos of Reno.

Four men: Nick Abelman, Bill Graham, Jim McKay, and George Wingfield dug up mining riches in the boomtowns and sunk their fortunes into the foundation of Reno's real estate and club business in the 1920's.

This is the true story of the original Nevada casino pioneers, whose political strength and wealth allowed them to hold sway over Reno for nearly thirty years. They dictated policy through hard work and intimidation, and fattened their wallets through treachery, and deceit.

Nevada was anxious to lead the way in quick, easy divorce law, reducing the time frame to compete with places like Hot Springs Arkansas. Club owners also wanted legalized, "open-gaming," and once the men in Reno began their campaign to grease the wheels and push for open-gaming legislation, it was just a matter of time before it became law. Nevada's law - their law. In Reno, George Wingfield and his partners were the law.

Their rule over gaming, prostitution and the flow of illegal whiskey extended far into Northern California and up to beautiful Lake Tahoe. The lake's most famous casino, the Calneva, was an exciting vacation spot for San Francisco's rich elite for years. When Graham and McKay were through running it, other owners like Frank Sinatra came along.

Sinatra ran the club for his partners, including Mob boss Sam Giancana, and they hosted other friends like Marilyn Monroe, The Kennedy's, and a never-ending procession of popular stars.

All this and more, is here in The Roots of Reno. Pick up a copy at your local bookstore or order online through ours. If you would like to see the complete index for this book, please click here.