The Chip Board
Custom Search
   


The Chip Board Archive 04

Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS - GENE?
In Response To: Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS - GENE? ()

I am posting the scammed chip dealers ad below. I am not posting his name. I hope he does not mind as he was scammed and made it right with purchasers of the set. I am posting this only to warn others to be very careful in buying chips that seems too good to be true. The under the crawl space line was the "HOOK" in the scam.
More in the next post.
_____________________

The Ore House (Reno, NV.) -102 Year Old "New" Addition to Nevada Gaming History

The building was built in 1897. It was originally built to provide housing for construction workers working on the railroad at that
time. That remained its purpose until the late 1930's, when it became a bar. It's remained so ever since…for over 60 years.

The location of the property is shown at various times as either 5540 or 5544 Sun Valley Blvd. Nevada gaming records show a
series of restricted licenses (slots only). The first of these was under the name of Gordon's Sun Valley Bar from January 22,
1970 to September 30, 1990. The licensee is shown as Sparrel H. Holcomb. From November 1, 1990 to June 30, 1993, the
licensee was Kent D. Cotterell. At that time, the bar was simply called the Sun Valley Bar. The name remained the same
through the next 2 licensees…Gary J. Martin from July 1, 1993 to April 25, 1995 and Anne L. Gaffke from April 26, 1995 to
July 21, 1998.

When the present owners of the bar bought it from Ms. Gaffke, the intention was to extensively refurbish it and convert it to a
cabaret. The name was to be changed to reflect a different image, although none had been chosen.

One day, while working near a crawl space leading under the building, one of the owners noticed that adjacent floorboards also
needed to be replaced. Under one of these he noticed a number of small boxes. In these boxes was…you guessed it…casino
chips.

Four different denominations were found. All are identical except for their color. All say the same thing: "ORE HOUSE
CASINO RENO NV." The new owners knew one thing immediately…they had found the name for their cabaret!

While their search for a name had ended, the search for information about the chips had just begun. After about 1 year of
research, here's a recap of what we know and what we don't. The sign on the bar hasn't been changed as yet and still says
"Sun Valley Bar." In talking to many "old-timers" in the area, there is no question that the property was known as the Ore
House prior to 1970. We can't, however, document any live gaming. What possibilities exit? Were the chips used as drink
chips? Some locals have said that there was a (private or illegal) poker game being run. Was there, as 1 older gentlemen told
me: "one single 21 table, in there for a short period of time." Lot's of questions, no added answers at this time.

Because uncertainties exist, anyone wanting to add these interesting chips to their collection must do so recognizing that there
are still pieces of the puzzle that are unknown. If clearer documentation existed, price levels for these Ore House chips would
certainly be higher.

These chips will be regularly priced at $75 each for the $2, $5 and $10 chips and $95 for the $1 chip. The set of 4 will be
available for $275. In an attempt to recoup an the needed investment, the sets will be initially priced at this time at $195.
Individual $2, $5, and $10 chips will initially be priced at $60 each. The $1 chip will be priced at $75. Several of the sets are in
unused condition. Earliest purchasers will receive these.

Messages In This Thread

EBAY Some great new listings! Haveapeek
Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS - GENE?
Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS - GENE?
Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS - GENE?
Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS - GENE?
Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS - GENE?
Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS - GENE?
Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS -John
Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS -John
Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS - GENE?
Re: ORE HOUSE CHIPS - GENE?

Copyright 2022 David Spragg