Visitreno

[BC Dave]

Computer doodling. I'm not sure why I didn't think of this before...

[john]

Very nice, Davey boy. I took my laptop downtown and compared your version with the real thing. Yours is much better. Quieter, too.

[BC Dave]

It was nice of the folks at the Peppermill to bring all those lights inside.

[mjames1229]

OK, please help out the tourist.

In that photo, the building that looks like it should be Fitzgeralds is dark. Any idea why?

BTW - love the look of Harolds, the Horseshoe and the Hilton!

[JD]

My guess is that the sparkles are photo shopped onto THE OLD Reno arch (clue is "Commercial" Street sign)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3345158547_bb43c98961.jpg

And not the current one on Virginia

http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1237760-The_Reno_Arch-Reno.jpg

[BC Dave]

That's indeed the old Arch. I took that photo during my first trip to Reno in 1985. http://www.visitreno.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1068 Last night I spent an hour or so adding the flashing lights. I used Paint Shop Pro ver #10 and Animation Shop. Free trial versions of these programs came with my computer when I bought it from Dell a few years back.

Fitzgeralds had a totally different look back then. The flashy vertical green neon on the front wall was not there. The big wide billboard was not there.

I'm sure they were open. Somebody just forgot to turn on the lights. Some of the exterior of the Fitz can be seen in this pic from the same trip.

[BC Dave]

Thanks Mjames. I just thought I could add a little life to my static picture. I'm quite happy with the results. It's my contribution to the downtown redevelopment project.

We had quite a good little "Gltter Gultch" going back then didn't we?

[mjames1229]

I am an absolute geek for pictures of Las Vegas and Reno "back in the day"... Not as much because of "what was", but just comparing then and now.

For example, by first trip to Vegas was in 1989 and I stayed at the Imperial Palace. My (now ex-)wife took a photo of me right on the strip, and the Dunes neon sign was in the background. Without that, it is almost impossible to picture what that area looked like pre-Bellagio.

My first Reno trip was in 1995, and I have numerous photos of Virginia Street and the area, including a nice picture of the Comstock with full neon fireworks. Unfortunately, I lost them in the divorce.

[JD]

M James:

I loved the Comstock back then.

But I kinda guessed those cosmetic "upgrades" were the begining of the end for the pit that taught me craps. When they hired an expensive "consultant" whose main contribution was to force the dealers out of their casual Western wear and into dweebie uniforms, I knew it was over.

I mourn the loss of the old sawdust joints. It was so much easier getting on their "high roller" lists. I had a room in the N.E. corner of the top floor of the Comstock they always gave me when I asked for it.

You may or not feel the same way towards your ex, but I can always replace the picture for you.

http://image03.webshots.com/3/4/13/16/6941316UtXnAhkELR_fs.jpg

[BC Dave]

JD, when I click on your link, I get a big old Forbidden!

[JD]

I shoulda checked Nevada Max's stuff FIRST... maybe John will fix it so you don't need to click:

http://www.nevadamax.com/page7/scs5.jpg

Go to VISIT RENO MAIN PAGE, Click : NEVADA MAX Click: Search,
Type :Comstock (or any casino) Click: "SHOW"

Gotta hand it to that Nevada Max... He sure has a LOT of pics.

[BC Dave]

Thanks JD. I loved the Comstock too. Stayed there once, visited many times.

[john]

Where was the Comsto k?

[BC Dave]

On the corner of West nd and W st st.

[john]

Ah, yes, I rem er that now. Th nks.