New China Club

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The New China Club at 260 Lake Street in downtown Reno. This was one of the first integrated gambling parlors in Reno. Demolished in 1973.

Date Uploaded: December 14, 2023

Permanent Link: http://wnhpc.com/details/fb10226924830439073

Contributor: William Brinsmead on Facebook

Source: Facebook: William Brinsmead

Source URL: https://www.facebook.com/groups/345496490863/permalink/10162047861915864/

Source Caption: The old China club in Reno ! I remember it was a big issue for our family on Dad's side, They caught a bunch of shit when they sold the then Palm Saloon to a CHINESE guy, Bill Fong soon after ww2. Back then no bank would carry a mortgage for a POC ???? So the family carried the loan for 30 years. He was actually a wounded war hero ???? WW2 fighting the Japanese in China with the US Army. He then changed the name to Bill Fong's New China Club, Quite controversial at the time! I believe it was the first casino that welcomed non-whites.I often ate there in the 60s. I had SUCH a crush on his 'unfortunately' straight son in J High and HS ????We built slot cars in a tiny machine shop his uncle had in the basement. ( shop was also because of racism) he had to repair and make many of his parts, as the slot machine companies didn't want to deal with a 'non white'. The almighty buck beats racism! He was soon making big $$$ soon after ww2 because the other clubs ( casinos) wouldn't admit non whites. This was now late 50s one day Bill Harrah and friends were walking by the noontime packed club, almost immediately the racist ( no colored) signs on Harrahs club disappeared soon to be followed by the other clubs.

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