Tag: laughlin

COLORADO BELLE

“Frank and Helen were merely rubbing things in with their postcard, as Fred was already freezing his buns off in Minnesota.”

A colorful picture postcard I came across reveals that Frank and Helen (last name unknown) were visiting Laughlin, Nevada, on September 12, 1987, undoubtedly, to do a little gambling. They’d probably never tell friends or family that, especially Reverend Archie Bunker back home in Prescott, although I doubt that is their pastor’s name. We’ll just assume it is for this story.

This postcard, sent by Frank and Helen to Mr. Fred Modlin in Hopkins, Minnesota, offers a brief glimpse into their trip to Nevada. The card was mailed from Prescott, where the couple were most likely getting ready to leave for warmer digs, perhaps even Lake Havasu City.

“Boy a week sure goes by in a hurry. We spent Tues & Wed in Laughlin at the Colorado Bell. I won’t stay there again as their new hotel is just too hard to get around. Back to the Riverside next time. It is now right about 100 degrees in Phex but it is cool here in fact we will likely need heat tonite. I don’t have any acorns to put up with, just carob beans. We are still going to try to get a little painting done but not much more than that. Frank & Helen“

Just why the Colorado Belle was so hard for Frank and Helen to get around will remain a mystery. Were they stumbling about from perhaps too much German stout? Serious beer drinkers will know what I’m talking about here. These days, with the casino doors shut tight, getting around inside is an impossibility unless you’re a rat or mouse. More on that later.

The Colorado Belle Casino was one of the most iconic landmarks in Laughlin, Nevada. Shaped like a grand paddlewheel riverboat, it stood as a symbol of the city’s vibrant gaming and tourism industry for decades.

The idea for the Colorado Belle was born in the early 1980s, as Laughlin was transforming from a modest riverside town into a bustling gaming destination. The concept was to create a casino that would evoke the romantic imagery of 19th-century riverboats navigating the mighty Colorado River. Construction began in 1980, and the project was a massive undertaking, requiring innovation to replicate the appearance and grandeur of a paddlewheel steamboat.

The casino officially opened its doors to the public in July 1981. Its unique design, complete with twin paddlewheels and towering smokestacks, made it instantly recognizable and a popular subject for postcards and photographs.

In its early years, the Colorado Belle established itself as a premier gaming destination in Laughlin. The casino offered a wide variety of slot machines and table games, while the hotel provided comfortable accommodations for visitors. Over time, the property underwent multiple renovations and expansions, adding more guest rooms, dining options, and amenities to attract a growing number of tourists.

The Colorado Belle became known not just for its gaming floor, but also for its entertainment venues, restaurants, and riverside location. The property’s riverwalk offered scenic views and easy access to the Colorado River, making it a favorite spot for both gamblers and leisure travelers.

Throughout its history, the Colorado Belle changed ownership several times as the gaming industry in Laughlin evolved. It was operated by several different companies, including Circus Circus Enterprises (which later became Mandalay Resort Group), and eventually by Golden Entertainment. Each change in ownership brought varying degrees of renovation and modernization, but the casino maintained its classic riverboat theme.

The Colorado Belle was more than just a casino; it was a community icon. The property hosted numerous events, including concerts, festivals, and poker tournaments, which drew visitors from across the region. Its distinctive design and welcoming atmosphere helped define the look and feel of Laughlin’s waterfront.

As one of the city’s original themed casinos, the Colorado Belle played a significant role in shaping the identity and tourism appeal of Laughlin. It was also a major employer, providing jobs for hundreds of local residents over the years.

The Colorado Belle Casino faced challenges in the 21st century, including increased competition and economic downturns. In March 2020, the casino closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, unlike many other properties, did not reopen. In June 2020, operators announced that the closure would be indefinite, citing the ongoing economic impact and uncertainty.

Today, while the riverboat structure still stands as a familiar sight on the Laughlin Strip, the Colorado Belle’s gaming floor remains dark. Despite its closure, the casino’s legacy endures in the memories of visitors and residents who experienced its unique charm. The Colorado Belle remains a symbol of Laughlin’s history, a testament to the city’s evolution from a remote outpost to a vibrant gaming and entertainment destination.

I had the opportunity to recently view the Colorado Belle up close. It is rapidly deteriorating from the excess Laughlin heat and, in a matter of time, will most likely have to be torn down.

Rodent feces could be spotted on the outside, along with the smell of mildew. Much more is needed to get the stationary paddlewheels turning than just a fresh coat of paint. The wheels actually never moved, as it was special lighting that made it seem that way.

The Colorado Belle Casino’s story mirrors the rise and transformation of Laughlin itself. From its grand opening in the early 1980s through decades of entertainment and community involvement, to its closure in 2020, the Colorado Belle remains an enduring part of Nevada’s colorful gaming history.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find Frank and Helen’s full identity, yet Frederick Edwin Modlin in Hopkins, Minnesota, was no problem. He was born in Hopkins on December 23, 1922, and died there 77 years later on November 20, 2000. It appears he was a fruit farmer like his father.

Frank and Helen were merely rubbing things in with their postcard, as Fred was already freezing his buns off in Minnesota. Some folks have a way of doing that to their family and friends living in cold states.

If Fred had been a prankster, he would’ve made a copy of the card and sent it to Reverend Archie Bunker. Their message was perfect fodder for the fictitious preacher’s next sermon on gambling addictions.

BAKED LAUGHLIN

“In the forty-ninth state, there’s a special dessert called Baked Alaska.”

I first visited Laughlin, Nevada, in 1979. My brother took my wife, son, and me to the Riverside Casino to try our hands at playing slot machines. We each took turns sitting in an air-conditioned truck watching one-year-old Gunnar, because there was no place inside the building for children back then.

The AC worked so well in Jim’s Chevrolet, that I’d have to step outside his vehicle every so often to warm up. Even on low, the Chevy cab would become a virtual refrigerator. A few minutes of sweltering Nevada heat helped immensely before getting back in.

When it was my turn to play, after perhaps 30 minutes of feeding large Eisenhower dollars into a slot machine, my pockets were bulging with winnings. Feeling proud of myself as I walked out of the place, I ended up with $100 more than I started.

Joleen and Jim came out ahead as well. My wife still has an unopened roll of Eisenhower silver dollars from that trip tucked away in a bedroom drawer. I don’t believe they’re totally made of silver as that practice stopped in 1964.

I purchased everyone’s dinner that night, telling anyone who’d listen that Don Laughlin was paying for things. The late Don Laughlin is the originator of Laughlin and owner of Riverside Casino.

Over the years we’ve gone back only to see Laughlin grow in leaps and bounds, and then slow down to a snail’s pace. New bridges have been built to make it easier to get across the Colorado River, but casino construction has all but ceased. The Colorado Belle casino closed down several years later.

Our reason to visit Laughlin these days isn’t to gamble, but to dine at a favorite Mexican Restaurant and check out the cars in Don Laughlin’s car museum. That museum has been in existence for quite some time with free admission.

I talked to a man overseeing the museum collection sometime in the 1990s. He told me that Don Laughlin would stealthily show up unannounced to inspect things. It wasn’t uncommon for him to climb inside an automobile and check it for dust and cleanliness. He’d then quietly disappear through a secret passageway.

I found that to be humorous because there’s been a story circulating around Lake Havasu City for many years, about Don flying his helicopter to a car show here in town, and landing on the golf course where all of the vehicles were parked. Dust, dirt, and debris went everywhere. Supposedly, he graciously paid for any damage to the cars and trucks.

Don Laughlin died on October 22, 2023, and was 92 years old. Laughlin as a city lost a great man, a visionary who was generous with his money in keeping the town alive. He did so many things where charity is concerned, that it’d take a book to list them all.

Just recently, we were back in Laughlin to visit his museum and grab a bite to eat. A longtime employee of one of the Laughlin businesses, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Joleen and me that Don still lived in the penthouse suite above the Riverside. With that bizarre statement being said and knowing that Don was deceased—we both raised our eyebrows.

The fellow then went on to explain that Don Laughlin made plans to have his body cryogenically frozen years before his death. Evidently, the wish was followed through by family members. He finished things off by saying, unconfirmed rumors had it that Don’s frozen remains were returned to Laughlin and now reside within the top floor of the casino.

I checked things out, finding that Don had been frozen as the fellow claimed. For rich folks having that process done, they do so in hopes somewhere down the road scientists will be able to bring them back to life. As a Christian, I know that isn’t possible using cryogenics alone. As far as the location of Laughlin’s body goes, I couldn’t substantiate that rumor.

In the forty-ninth state, there’s a special dessert called Baked Alaska. It consists of cake and ice cream. By following a prescribed recipe, the combination is baked in an oven without any ice cream melting. From a layman’s perspective, that’s how I view this cryogenic experiment.

Should scientists ever revive one of these frozen corpses, I suppose the first thing Don Laughlin would do after waking, besides grabbing a cup of hot coffee, would be to walk outside his casino for a blast of desert air.

Having aching bones myself whenever I get cold, a dose of Arizona or Nevada desert heat makes them hurt much less. I can only imagine how rejuvenated Don will feel after doing the same, with Baked Laughlin instantly coming to mind!