Oscar nice job. I am so proud of my father and is accomplishments in the state of Nevada! The only additions I would've made to this video included Whiskey Pete's casino on interstate 15 as one of his major accomplishments! Also he was born in 1901. Thank you very happy to have found your video!
I grew up in 1970s Reno and remember driving downtown with my parents and looking at all the casinos. The Prim stood out with the fancy showgirl statues. I thought they were so elegant. Lol
Up then. They were still there for a number of years. There was an over street walkway to the Sahara. It did no get the use it could have. Del Webb did not exploit any synergy. Other than the exterior there was nothing special about the place. Other places had a unique feature. Fitzgeralds had old style slots. The horseshoe had a great ham and eggs special. I suspect the sale of the primadonna was a smart business move. Sell at a good time.
Great job, Oscar -so glad you enjoy Reno history....-A couple interesting notes--When Del Webb, Hilton, and the Golden Phoenix owned the former Primadonna location, the Virginia Street casino had a small food court, along with a pretty large casino...This Virginia Street location was connected by a airwalk to the main Hotel location on Sierra Street. Guests in the Virginia Street location could take an escalator up to the Sierra Street airwalk, and cross Sierra Street to the main part of the casino and hotel. That airwalk over Sierra Street was still used by the Golden Phoenix--until the Golden Phoenix closed in 2005 ...The Golden Phoenix has became a high end condo development called The Montage... The airwalk was removed in 2005 when the Golden Phoenix closed. One more note--The classic 2003 movie 'The Cooler' was filmed in the Golden Phoenix. In 'The Cooler', the movie pretends it takes place in Las Vegas, but 'The Cooler' was 99% filmed in Reno. 'The Cooler' has a great cast, stars Alec Baldwin, William Macy, Ron Livingston, Maria Bello, and Arthur Nascarella...
Nice presentation Oscar. As mentioned below, Ernie Primm relocated to southern Nevada in the late 1970's later opening what would become Whiskey Pete's Hotel & Casino in 1979.
Two great books on casino history are The Green Felt Jungle and The Boardwalk Jungle by Ovid Demaris, also The Company That Bought the Boardwalk by Gigi Mahon.
Awesome vid, I've been trying to find more info on this place for a while. I saw your other videos too, will you be doing the Golden Hotel to go along with the other original big three of Reno?
I found a small pocket knife in my dads belongings when he passed. Has Club Primadonna "Renos most colorful casino" embossed on it. Have no idea when my dad picked it up. Fun trivia for video.
Holy shit I was doing some research for this pair of dice I’m trying to sell from the Primadonna Casino so I looked it up. You can imagine my surprise when your video popped up. I was like hey, I know that guy😂
@@LegendaryForces Last I was in Reno a few years back, that center showgirl was (and had been) on South Virginia Street, past the river, in the area where shops are, I think before getting to the Peppermill. I can't remember exactly where, but she is in front of one of the shops, possibly on the roof. Anytime I 'm in Reno I always drive down that way and I always look for her. I am pretty darn sure what I see is her.
Yes the central primadonna resided atop midtown’s finally defunct xxx adult bookstore for years (genius!) but I do not know where she is now and would really like to know …!
"These lighted ladies standing 20 feet and more in height were for many, as much a landmark as the famous Reno Arch, which lived just a few feet to their left." www.pinterest.com/pin/412149803369453741/
6:56 the building that you are mentioning is apartments is really condominiums and the building that you were mentioning is the original prima donna was also part of the Fitzgerald group which owned Harold's club Nevada and Fitzgerald after Howard Hughes and pappy Smith the original owners you ought to be a little bit more correct on your history and do a little more research if you need any help I can always help I've been traveling to casinos all my life and I've lived in Reno all my life from family members of lived here the entire time I'll be
Check into Earnie Primm developing a small place that became named after him, Primm, NV.
Great video. I collect Reno history. It blows my mind the photos you find and the knowledge you have on these subjects.
Thank you!
Oscar nice job. I am so proud of my father and is accomplishments in the state of Nevada! The only additions I would've made to this video included Whiskey Pete's casino on interstate 15 as one of his major accomplishments! Also he was born in 1901. Thank you very happy to have found your video!
Hi Gregory. By any chance are you Gary's brother? I worked for him at Whiskey Pete's back in the early 1980's.
I thought the surname sounded familiar!!!😉🎲🏪🎰🍽️🥃
I remember the Primadonna as a kid.
This sure brings back some memories. Thanks for sharing.
I grew up in 1970s Reno and remember driving downtown with my parents and looking at all the casinos. The Prim stood out with the fancy showgirl statues. I thought they were so elegant. Lol
I would’ve loved to see it back in its prime days
Same here 😆
I always loved driving by the Primadonna and seeing the large dancing ladies ❤
I worked at the Primadonna in 1978. That was after del Webb had taken over. The showgirls were still
Up then. They were still there for a number of years. There was an over street walkway to the Sahara. It did no get the use it could have. Del Webb did not exploit any synergy. Other than the exterior there was nothing special about the place. Other places had a unique feature. Fitzgeralds had old style slots. The horseshoe had a great ham and eggs special. I suspect the sale of the primadonna was a smart business move. Sell at a good time.
Interesting!! Thanks for sharing!
Great job, Oscar -so glad you enjoy Reno history....-A couple interesting notes--When Del Webb, Hilton, and the Golden Phoenix owned the former Primadonna location, the Virginia Street casino had a small food court, along with a pretty large casino...This Virginia Street location was connected by a airwalk to the main Hotel location on Sierra Street. Guests in the Virginia Street location could take an escalator up to the Sierra Street airwalk, and cross Sierra Street to the main part of the casino and hotel. That airwalk over Sierra Street was still used by the Golden Phoenix--until the Golden Phoenix closed in 2005 ...The Golden Phoenix has became a high end condo development called The Montage... The airwalk was removed in 2005 when the Golden Phoenix closed. One more note--The classic 2003 movie 'The Cooler' was filmed in the Golden Phoenix. In 'The Cooler', the movie pretends it takes place in Las Vegas, but 'The Cooler' was 99% filmed in Reno. 'The Cooler' has a great cast, stars Alec Baldwin, William Macy, Ron Livingston, Maria Bello, and Arthur Nascarella...
Thanks Bob!
Nice presentation Oscar. As mentioned below, Ernie Primm relocated to southern Nevada in the late 1970's later opening what would become Whiskey Pete's Hotel & Casino in 1979.
My grandfather has a menu from this restaurant in excellent shape.
Two great books on casino history are The Green Felt Jungle and The Boardwalk Jungle by Ovid Demaris, also The Company That Bought the Boardwalk by Gigi Mahon.
I was just in Siris 2 weeks ago and had no idea that it was the former Club Prima Donna
Excellent, excellent job Oscar. Great research, editing, fabulous photos and story!!!!!
Awesome vid, I've been trying to find more info on this place for a while.
I saw your other videos too, will you be doing the Golden Hotel to go along with the other original big three of Reno?
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it! I can do those in the future. I'll put them on my list.
Great video! Do you know happened to the statues when the casino closed?
In 1988 I was staying at the peppermill hotel and saw the main showgirl statue on top of a adult bookstore.
Thank you! Yes, I have seen her there for years but could not remember what store. Last I was in Reno a few years back, she was still there.
She is gone now and I would like to know where if anyone has information. She is the central primadonna ….
I found a small pocket knife in my dads belongings when he passed. Has Club Primadonna "Renos most colorful casino" embossed on it. Have no idea when my dad picked it up. Fun trivia for video.
Love your vids
Thank you!!
Holy shit I was doing some research for this pair of dice I’m trying to sell from the Primadonna Casino so I looked it up. You can imagine my surprise when your video popped up. I was like hey, I know that guy😂
Haha, that's awesome! Hope you've been doing well man!
Great job
Thank you!
Great Job Oscar! I love it. Yes it is now Siri's Casino. Looking forward to watching all of your videos.
Thank you!
We’ve been wondering where “the girls” are now?
I’m sure many have been thinking the same
@@LegendaryForces Last I was in Reno a few years back, that center showgirl was (and had been) on South Virginia Street, past the river, in the area where shops are, I think before getting to the Peppermill. I can't remember exactly where, but she is in front of one of the shops, possibly on the roof. Anytime I 'm in Reno I always drive down that way and I always look for her. I am pretty darn sure what I see is her.
Yes the central primadonna resided atop midtown’s finally defunct xxx adult bookstore for years (genius!) but I do not know where she is now and would really like to know …!
5:20 can you please publish a source for the gir'ls heights/ That center girl is NOT over 25' let alone 35. Thanks!
"These lighted ladies standing 20 feet and more in height were for many, as much a landmark as the famous Reno Arch, which lived just a few feet to their left."
www.pinterest.com/pin/412149803369453741/
6:56 the building that you are mentioning is apartments is really condominiums and the building that you were mentioning is the original prima donna was also part of the Fitzgerald group which owned Harold's club Nevada and Fitzgerald after Howard Hughes and pappy Smith the original owners you ought to be a little bit more correct on your history and do a little more research if you need any help I can always help I've been traveling to casinos all my life and I've lived in Reno all my life from family members of lived here the entire time I'll be