Ads 1975
Reno-Sparks, Nevada
 -- 100 S Stanford Way
 

At a cost of $5.1 million the Reno/Sparks Howard Johnson's complex was opened in 1974. Both it and the Las Vegas Howard Johnson's were developed and owned by the Osterie Nevada Corporation. The unit was the ninth hotel/casino in the Reno area and and was said to have ushered in a new age of tourism based prosperity for the region. Unfortunately for its owners the 224 guest room nine story hotel was perhaps ahead of its time, and shortly after its opening Osterie declared bankruptcy.

In February of 1975 Sutro Mortgage, a Los Angles based investment trust which had held the failed Howard Johnson's mortgage, assumed control of the location for $3.7 million. A grand reopening was held May 28 through June 1, 1975. The complex offered convention facilities, cocktail lounge, 24 hour Howard Johnson's Restaurant, casino, and a heated swimming pool.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mired in controversy, the casino portion of Reno was shut down by authorities in 1977 and Sutro Mortgage shortly thereafter sought a buyer for the entire property. Enter Eugene McCarlie, William Lampkin, and Ronald Ewart who purchased and renamed it. Upon shedding the HJ name it was called the Double Eagle and then McCarlie's High-Sierra Hotel and Casino.

Left: Still a HoJo's, the Restaurant advertised with an appeal to families and especially to children even as the site's primary goal was to attract gamers.

 
 
 
 
Ads 1977
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photos Sept. 28, 2002: Kummerlowe Archive
 
Located too far from Reno's strip, the former Howard Johnson's had a rough go of it. By the early 2000's it was the unbranded McCarran House Inn & Buffet. Then later it became a short-lived Best Western. By 2006 the old high-rise HJ had become a Quality Inn emphasizing its non-gaming family atmosphere.
 
 
 
 
 
Photos 2006: Phil Edwards
 
Phil's 2006 visit showed that the former HoJo's was remarkably original but tired--even its circa middle 1970s towering highway sign was still in place and recycled by the Quality Inn.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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