The Strange Tale of Whiskey Pete

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  • Опубликовано: 23 авг 2024
  • 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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Комментарии • 114

  • @shaynestephens
    @shaynestephens Год назад +37

    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
      @Qusin111 Год назад +2

      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
      @SidetrackAdventures  Год назад +13

      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
      @secretdaisy6484 Год назад +3

      @@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
      @conniewojahn6445 Год назад +2

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

    • @justineburke3256
      @justineburke3256 Год назад +2

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

  • @cecemimi9304
    @cecemimi9304 5 дней назад

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

  • @Michael-ex9uo
    @Michael-ex9uo Год назад +17

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

  • @White_as_black
    @White_as_black Месяц назад

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

  • @mobiltec
    @mobiltec Месяц назад

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

  • @CactusAtlas
    @CactusAtlas Год назад +8

    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
      @SidetrackAdventures  Год назад

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

  • @kmath50
    @kmath50 4 месяца назад +1

    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.

  • @franklauriekranitsky2782
    @franklauriekranitsky2782 Год назад +3

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

  • @VintageCarHistory
    @VintageCarHistory Год назад +5

    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
      @SidetrackAdventures  Год назад +1

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

    • @lutomson3496
      @lutomson3496 Год назад

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

  • @charleshaggard4341
    @charleshaggard4341 Год назад +6

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

  • @TheRealDrJoey
    @TheRealDrJoey Год назад +4

    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.

  • @fullmoonAZ
    @fullmoonAZ Год назад +6

    Whiskey Pete sounds like a sweet guy.

    • @davidgwin4540
      @davidgwin4540 2 месяца назад

      It takes one to know he wasn't 😂

  • @R32R38
    @R32R38 Год назад +6

    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
      @BenDover-fi6ow Год назад +1

      Yeah the one in prim looks kinda faked for some reason

  • @freedomlover24-7
    @freedomlover24-7 Год назад +4

    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
      @wilsonpicket8505 Год назад

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

  • @realRichHunting
    @realRichHunting 4 месяца назад

    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.

  • @michaelroche1987
    @michaelroche1987 Год назад +1

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

    • @BenDover-fi6ow
      @BenDover-fi6ow Год назад

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

  • @michaelsimonds2632
    @michaelsimonds2632 Год назад +1

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

  • @dougfalstad5227
    @dougfalstad5227 4 месяца назад

    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.

  • @sondrajoyce8810
    @sondrajoyce8810 Год назад +1

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

  • @IRONJUNK625
    @IRONJUNK625 Год назад +1

    Fantastic! Another story done well. Thank you.

  • @wuzpoor
    @wuzpoor Год назад +1

    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..😎😎

  • @calvarycustoms6681
    @calvarycustoms6681 Год назад

    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. 👍🏼

  • @thatplace1
    @thatplace1 Год назад +1

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

  • @johnnyfreedom3437
    @johnnyfreedom3437 4 месяца назад

    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!

  • @richardhamilton1567
    @richardhamilton1567 Год назад +1

    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.

  • @SWillibr
    @SWillibr Год назад

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

  • @trailcameralakeloon
    @trailcameralakeloon Год назад +3

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

  • @conniewojahn6445
    @conniewojahn6445 Год назад +1

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

  • @elizabethbogle3533
    @elizabethbogle3533 Год назад +1

    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.

  • @stevenkaskus6173
    @stevenkaskus6173 3 месяца назад

    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.

  • @jaydee3046
    @jaydee3046 6 месяцев назад

    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.

  • @stephaniejames4940
    @stephaniejames4940 8 месяцев назад

    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.

  • @CaptRich-bi3gp
    @CaptRich-bi3gp Год назад +2

    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
      @SidetrackAdventures  Год назад +1

      That's one crazy story!

    • @CaptRich-bi3gp
      @CaptRich-bi3gp Год назад +1

      @@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. 👍

  • @OpenRoader
    @OpenRoader Год назад

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

  • @kurtweiand7086
    @kurtweiand7086 Год назад

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

  • @birdman5223
    @birdman5223 9 месяцев назад

    A true classic “MrSteve”

  • @steves7896
    @steves7896 Год назад

    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.

  • @josephmartinez8803
    @josephmartinez8803 Год назад

    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
    @danielneece6404 Год назад

    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

  • @drumflip1253
    @drumflip1253 Год назад

    Love these videos. Just drove past there last week.

  • @sheridowsett9929
    @sheridowsett9929 Год назад

    Great story!

  • @kimhildebrandt2725
    @kimhildebrandt2725 Год назад

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

  • @brianbirc
    @brianbirc Год назад +1

    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.

  • @CMarshallD
    @CMarshallD Год назад

    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!

  • @Ro6entX
    @Ro6entX Год назад +1

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

  • @oakshillelagh4339
    @oakshillelagh4339 7 месяцев назад

    A good video

  • @glennjudd2467
    @glennjudd2467 Год назад +1

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

  • @jamesrichardson1326
    @jamesrichardson1326 Год назад +1

    Spent the night at Whiskey Pete's.

  • @jerroldkazynski5480
    @jerroldkazynski5480 Год назад

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

  • @swankles3877
    @swankles3877 Год назад +2

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

  • @larryaldrich4351
    @larryaldrich4351 5 месяцев назад

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

  • @praiserdusty
    @praiserdusty Год назад +1

    Sounds like a great HBO TV show pitch

  • @joespeaks3087
    @joespeaks3087 Год назад

    I would like to see a video of Ft. Bragg

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Год назад +1

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

  • @Teampegleg
    @Teampegleg Месяц назад

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

  • @palmlanes
    @palmlanes Год назад

    So why exactly is that man a legend?!

  • @rtalways
    @rtalways Год назад +1

    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

  • @stephenatkison2914
    @stephenatkison2914 Год назад +1

    That is Bonnie and Clydes real death car.

  • @secretdaisy6484
    @secretdaisy6484 Год назад

    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 🦃. 👍☮️🌞❤️

  • @goddessmakayla8158
    @goddessmakayla8158 Год назад

    ahhh primm

  • @Qusin111
    @Qusin111 Год назад

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

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Год назад +1

      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.

  • @BurtBowers
    @BurtBowers Год назад

    Is whiskey Pete's yet open today?

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Год назад

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

  • @joewenzel5142
    @joewenzel5142 Год назад

    Guilty: Have never stopped there.

  • @DennisMartinezCalifornia
    @DennisMartinezCalifornia Год назад

    Where's Primm Slimm 😭😣

  • @lescoe
    @lescoe Год назад

    I suddenly want to play Fallout.

  • @bglrj
    @bglrj Год назад

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

  • @MrFmiller
    @MrFmiller Год назад

    I envy you.

  • @wilsonpicket8505
    @wilsonpicket8505 Год назад

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

  • @Issicra
    @Issicra Год назад

    Whiskey Pete is my hobo name

  • @Corgis175
    @Corgis175 Год назад

    Definitely an onery old cuss

  • @gobbleguk
    @gobbleguk Год назад +1

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

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Год назад +1

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

    • @R32R38
      @R32R38 Год назад

      @@SidetrackAdventures Dead mall.
      ruclips.net/video/xRGv2qjQ8E8/видео.html

  • @jerrysullivan8424
    @jerrysullivan8424 Год назад

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

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Год назад +2

      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
      @jerrysullivan8424 Год назад

      @@SidetrackAdventures thank you.

  • @mawi1172
    @mawi1172 Год назад

    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.

  • @rickparker8799
    @rickparker8799 Год назад

    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
      @SidetrackAdventures  Год назад +1

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

    • @rickparker8799
      @rickparker8799 Год назад

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

  • @UrMothersLoverr
    @UrMothersLoverr Год назад

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

  • @adeptpeasant6161
    @adeptpeasant6161 Год назад

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

  • @cowboykody6775
    @cowboykody6775 Год назад +1

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

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Год назад +1

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