Don Laughlin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Laughlin
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Laughlin in 2009
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| Born |
Donald Joseph Laughlin
May 4, 1931 Owatonna, Minnesota, U.S.
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| Died | October 22, 2023 (aged 92) Laughlin, Nevada, U.S.
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| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse(s) |
Betty Jones
(m. 1953; died 2022) |
| Children | 3 |
Donald Joseph Laughlin (born May 4, 1931 – died October 22, 2023) was a clever American businessman. He was famous for creating hotels and places for games of chance. The town of Laughlin, Nevada, in the United States, is named after him.
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Who Was Don Laughlin?
Don Laughlin was a visionary who helped build a desert town. He started with small businesses and grew them into a major resort area. His hard work and big ideas shaped a whole community.
Early Life and Big Ideas
Don Laughlin grew up in Owatonna, Minnesota. When he was young, he earned money by trapping animals in the winter. He used the money he made to buy slot machines. These were gaming machines that he placed in hunting lodges.
He was making a lot of money, about $500 a week. His school principal told him he had to choose: stop the slot machine business or leave school. Don decided to leave school to focus on his business.
Building a Desert Dream
In the late 1950s, Don Laughlin moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. There, he bought his first casino, called the "101 Club." By 1964, he sold the 101 Club.
That same year, Don was flying his private plane. He was looking at the area where California, Arizona, and Nevada meet, near the Colorado River. This area was growing because of the nearby Davis Dam, which was finished in 1951. It was also a popular stop along U.S. Route 66.
The Riverside Resort Begins
While flying, Don Laughlin imagined this area as a great place for a resort. Soon after, he bought a closed-down, eight-room motel by the river. It cost him $250,000. The previous owner chose to sell to Don because of his experience with casinos.
In less than two years, the motel became the Riverside Resort. It offered guests games of chance and all-you-can-eat chicken dinners for just 98 cents! The casino had twelve slot machines and two live gaming tables. Only four of the motel's eight rooms were for guests. Don's family lived in the other four.
How Laughlin Got Its Name
The town of Laughlin is believed to have gotten its name in an interesting way. A U.S. Postal Service inspector asked Don Laughlin to name the area's post office. This was so people could receive mail there. Don suggested "Riverside and Casino." But the postal inspector suggested "Laughlin" instead. This was because they both shared Irish heritage.
Growing the Riverside Resort
The Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino grew a lot over the years. In 1972, 48 new rooms were added. Then, in 1975, 52 more rooms were built.
In 1983, a tall 14-story hotel tower was added, bringing 253 more rooms. A second 14-floor tower was built in 1986. This added 307 more rooms and a cool automotive museum. The museum has many classic cars and is free for everyone to visit. One famous car, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro called "Big Red," was even featured in Hot Rod Magazine.
The biggest expansion happened in 1994. This added 800 more rooms, making a total of 1405 rooms! In 1999, a bowling center was built. Don Laughlin also helped pay for a bridge over the Colorado River. This bridge connects Laughlin, Nevada, to the airport in Bullhead City, Arizona. He also helped expand the airport so larger airplanes could land there.
A Life of Business and Family
Don Laughlin often traveled between his fancy suite at the Riverside Resort and his cattle ranch in Kingman. He used his private helicopter for these trips. He also flew his helicopter back to his hometown of Owatonna, Minnesota, for the Steele County Free Fair.
Don Laughlin married Betty L. Jones in 1953. They had three children together. They were married for many years until Betty passed away in 2022.
Don Laughlin died in the town named after him on October 22, 2023. He was 92 years old. After his death, he chose to have his body preserved by the Alcor Life Extension Foundation.
