History of Cal Neva - Sinatra's one-time casino resort property

from the Cal Neva Resort's official web site: http://www.calnevaresort.com/

The original Lodge was built in 1926 by wealthy San Francisco businessman, Robert P. Sherman, who used the Lodge as a guesthouse for his friends and real estate clients. The Lodge was designed after Frank Bacon's log cabin in the hit Broadway play "LIGHTNIN," starring Will Rogers. The Cal Neva Resort quickly became the playground for celebrities and socialites who wanted to escape from the public eye.

In 1928 The Cal Neva Resort came into the hands of Norman Biltz, known as "The Duke of Nevada." No one really knows how Biltz and Sherman became involved except that Sherman deeded the property to Biltz for real estate commissions owed to him. Then in 1930 Biltz married Esther Auchincloss Nash, granddaughter to the founder of Standard Oil and aunt of Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis.

The original Cal Neva Lodge burned to the ground on May 17, 1937 and was rebuilt in just over thirty days by Norman Biltz and Adler Larson, both early Tahoe pioneers and developers. Over 500 men were employed to work around the clock to finish the new building which is seen today in the Indian Room, Circle Bar and main casino area.

The Cal Neva Resort earned the nickname "Lady of the Lake," weathering heavy snowfalls and the remodeling of a succession of owners including serious gamblers with names like "Pretty Boy," "Bones," and "Baby Face" during the 1940's and 1950's.

During the Frank Sinatra ownership years of 1960 to 1963, along with his associates "Wingy" and "Skinny," Sinatra built the now famous Celebrity Showroom and installed a helicopter pad on the roof in an attempt to make access easier for his colleagues and guests appearing at The Cal Neva Resort during the summer months.

Hollywood followers were enamored with Sinatra and the "Rat Pack," an unforgettable fraternity that linked itself with the White House through Peter Lawford, brother-in-law to then President John F. Kennedy. Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Juliet Prowse, and Marilyn Monroe (among others) "sang for their suppers" in the Celebrity Showroom and the Indian Room while politicians and Hollywood stars played at the tables and in the private cottages overlooking Lake Tahoe.

When the presence of one particular guest, Sam Giancana of Chicago, was noticed by authorities, it finally cost Sinatra his gaming license in a losing battle with the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The "Lady of the Lake" suffered tremendously from neglect for nearly twenty years before she was purchased in December of 1985 and was given a new life by owner, Charles P. Bluth who operated the resort until February 15, 2005 when it was purchased by Namwest, LLC.

And so begins a new era in the life of the "Lady of the Lake". Namwest is launching a complete renovation and restoration program for The Cal Neva Resort intended to position the resort as the leading destination in Lake Tahoe with services and accommodations that will meet the needs of the most discriminating traveler. In doing this, ownership will maintain the link with history while providing the most up to date technology, facilities, amenities and services available.

http://www.calnevaresort.com/overview.php

you may also want to see these posts:
* The Verifiable Truth: Ex-owner of MotorCity gets Nev. casino license
* The Verifiable Truth: The Detroit Gaming Syndicators: Marian Ilitch, Michael Malik and Tom Celani
* The Verifiable Truth: Ilitch, Malik casino syndication partner to run Lake Tahoe casino once owned by Sinatra