😎 New China Club Reno

The Chinese presence in Nevada dates back as early as 1855, when Mormon settlers residing at McMarlin’s Station at the mouth of Gold Canyon hired 50 Chinese workers to dig a ditch to divert water for placer mining. Following completion of the ditch, the Chinese stayed and their settlement became known as Chinatown; it was renamed Dayton in 1861.

With the discovery of The Comstock Lode, Chinese workers began turning up in larger numbers. Most worked as laundrymen, gardeners, servants, or cooks, because a resolution passed in 1859 forbade the Chinese from owning mining claims or working in underground mines in the Gold Hill District.

Professor emeritus of Asian-American studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Dr. Sue Fawn Chung, explains that formation of Chinatowns acted as a two-way street.

Oftentimes, the white communities wanted the Chinese segregated, and in many cases Chinese residents who spoke little if any English preferred living with their countrymen in ethnic enclaves.

The Sacramento-to-Reno section of the Central Pacific Railroad was completed in the spring of 1868 and the many Chinese laborers who had risked life and limb laying track over the Sierra Nevada received final payment and were left along the line to fend for themselves.

Many settled in Reno, where they constructed wood structures at the crossroads of Virginia and First streets along the banks of the Truckee River and attempted to put down roots in the community they now called home.

Reno’s first Chinatown was established in the 1800s when many Chinese immigrants moved alongside the Truckee River and Virginia Street. Many immigrants had decided to establish their roots in Reno, after finishing up the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad.

Bill Fong opened the New China Club in Reno in 1952 after returning from serving in WWII. Fong found success offering Keno games plus fan tan and pai gow. The “Fong Open” for Asian and black gamblers attracted celebrity guests such as Joe Lewis and Jesse Owens.

The club was significant for its inclusivity, welcoming patrons of all races at a time when racial segregation was prevalent in many other casinos. Located at 260 Lake Street, the club was situated in what had been the Palm Saloon. The New China Club featured a variety of gambling options, including 21, dice, roulette, keno, and slot machines, and was noted for introducing the first legal fan tan and pai gow games in Nevada.

Over the years, the club expanded and gained popularity. By 1956, it had a larger casino area and a café, and by 1957, it boasted 4,000 square feet of gaming space. The club was renowned for its community involvement, such as the Keno Queen contest initiated in 1958 and scholarships for Black students to attend the University of Nevada, announced in 1959.

Despite its success and cultural impact, the New China Club closed in the early 1970s. The site was eventually leased to Harrah's, leading to the club's demolition by 1973. Bill Fong continued to contribute to the local community until his death in 1982.

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