Stuff You Should Know

The Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire

Feb 16, 2023
Discover the forgotten history of Northern Kentucky as a gambling hotspot before Las Vegas took center stage. Delve into the tragic fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club, exploring its deadly implications and the colorful past intertwined with organized crime. Learn about the chaos of that fateful night, marked by bravery and heartbreak. Personal stories and eerie connections come to light, revealing the lasting scars on the community, while surprising tales of celebrity and nostalgia add an unexpected twist.
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ANECDOTE

George Remus: Bootlegger King

  • George Remus, a lawyer-pharmacist, built a bootlegging empire during Prohibition, making $40 million yearly in the 1920s.
  • He was later jailed, his wife Imogene had an affair with an ex-FBI agent, lost her fortune, and was shot by Remus.
INSIGHT

Newport: The Birth of Sin City

  • Newport, Kentucky, became a "red light district" after Remus's operations, birthing the Beverly Hills Country Club.
  • This upscale casino, owned by Pete Schmidt, became a blueprint for Las Vegas, offering gambling, dining, and shows.
ANECDOTE

The First Fire

  • Despite mob pressure, Schmidt refused to sell his club.
  • The mob then burned it down in 1936; Schmidt sold it to Moe Dalitz after the fire.
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