We all followed the crime wave in Lafayette a year or so ago, in which a couple of innocent-seeming massage parlors appeared to be offering some extra-special extras. But in going through the Lafayette SUN’s bound volume from 1950, we learned that Lamorinda was a festering swamp of crime six decades ago. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, in which we’ll attempt to recap what went down in our fair town.
The story began at New Year’s Eve, 1949, and was brought to light in the SUN of January 6, 1950, with this front-page headline: “Tunnel Strip Wide Open for New Year’s Gambling; Slot Machines Arrive in Time for Celebration.” The story claimed it was no secret that private clubs from Orinda to Walnut Creek offered one-armed bandits“ and, in one spot, “A red-hot blackjack game operated under the able guidance of a former dealer at the Wagon Wheels.” The biggest bet was $5. Gambling was prevalent in at least five Lafayette restaurants and probably others as well, the article stated.
Evidently the piece hit a nerve, for the next round was this: “We Are Offered a Bribe to Lay Off Gambling Stories (an editorial). The SUN has been offered $100 each month in ‘advertising’ if we lay off writing about slot machines and gambling in the county. Although coming to us in a roundabout way, the bribe offer apparently originated in the county’s gambling interests. This article and others on this page are, of course, the answer to this offer. We firmly believe it is a newspaper’s job to work toward bettering its community…we can improve or… remedy a situation by pointing the spotlight of publicity on it.”
The January 8th issue highlighted a new part of the problem: “We have been trying to contact Sheriff James Long with absolutely no success. A letter was written to him and in the past two days more than 15 calls have been placed. We hope to hear from the sheriff by next issue.”
The paper reported that the owner of El Nido Restaurant [on the Tunnel Strip—see below] called to assure the publisher that the restaurant had no slot machines nor did they intend to install any. The only reaction that had financial consequences was notification from the owner of Casa Orinda that they were cancelling their advertising in the SUN and the Shopping News.
Things heated up a week or so later. The January 20th issue carried this head: “Gambling Interests Meet at Big Orinda Conference—Operators Hold Hot Discussion of Future Activities in County.” The story detailed a meeting between nightclub owners and “gambling operators and big shots” in the backroom of the Crossroads Restaurant in Orinda. “This meeting ties in with last week’s now-confirmed report that Easterners have taken over Las Vegas and are preparing to infiltrate Contra Costa County.” The meeting was said to have included Bill Pechart, “reportedly Contra Costa’s gambling boss, from El Cerrito.” According to the paper’s intrepid reporter Dana McGaugh, “Jimmy Tarantino, Hollywood publisher and a factor in the underworld,” and agents of San Francisco’s betting commissioner were also invited. Evidently, the major concern was the rumored impending invasion of the county by Chicago and Cleveland gangsters. It was reported that the Eastern gangs were offering “protection” to the local gamblers, who were leaning toward accepting the offer, believing they would get a better split than under their present arrangement with the “Pechart regime”.
Two main considerations influenced the locals’ willingness to accept the new terms: “Chicago now controls all race wire services and the poor bookie can’t tell a winner from an also-ran without swift race information.” Racing info from the East cleared through Las Vegas, under control of the Chicago group. The other issue was manufacture of slot machines and punch cards, “most of which came from the Syndicate and are available only to those who play ball.”
In the 1930s and ‘40s, when Mount Diablo Blvd. was still Old Tunnel Road, Lafayette’s restaurant row was known as the Tunnel Strip. People drove from Oakland and even San Francisco to dance at the El Nido Rancho on the west side of town, or eat at the Curve (today Celia’s), and Planter’s Dock, perched high on the hill (now the Jewish Community Center). Alsam’s (today’s site of Citibank) was named for owners Al and Sam Morterra. Jay Bedsworth, owner of the Tunnel Inn (today, it’s Pet Food Express), flipped dollar bills with thumbtacks onto the ceiling. This description is excerpted from Voices of Lafayette, by Julie Sullivan, which is for sale at the History Room.
-Ruth Bailey
I look forward to the next entry. Pechart, Davel Kessel and Carl Nealis (until he dropped dead ran gambling and slot machines in the county out of El Cerrito. I’ve been researching it and would love to see what else you have.
Carl Nealis was my grandfather. My father used to tell us this story of his father. I found this on the internet:
Buried Treasure Taxed by U. S. Government EL CERRITO, Cal., June 18 (LP) A buried treasure was taxed by the federal government today in one of the strangest estate litigations on record. Tax liens of almost $900,000 were filed against the estate of Carl Nealis, although the gambler and slot machine operator left visible assets of only $44,154 to his son and two daughters when he died a year ago. Treasury department officials said, however, that Nealis left not only the $44,145 but also a map. The map, they alleged, led the heirs to a series of safe deposit boxes and hidden caches of banknotes buried under Nealis’ home. The buried treasure amounted to $670,101 all in cash.
Kay — I would love to talk to you about your grandfather if you are willing. My email is ctreadway@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Carl Nealis was my grandmothers brother.
My parents started and owned the El Nido Rancho in Lafayette. They built a chuck wagon by the pool and cooked breakfast there on weekends. They were the first to broadcast a radio show each week from the restaurant. Lafayette had so many great restaurants it’s sad that they are gone
I grew up in Orinda. In the early 50’s I remember going out to dinner to a restaurant in Lafayette, on a knoll with Mo’ai (Easter Island) statues on placed along the drive to the restaurant. Could it have been your families restaurant, or do you know the name? Thank you
I’ve been looking for evidence of those statues for years. This mention by you is such a relief. I’m sane after all. I’ve been to CCC Library, Lafayette Historical and more – no one knew of the statues. I remember going up that road many times in the mid-1950’s I’m not sure why we went there but I do not recall a restaurant. Just the Fish Grotto up the road to the east. Thanks so much.
My recollection is the statues were dotted up the lower hillside, which of course was grassy and also relatively steep; I’m thinking at least 8-10 statues.
It’s the kind of thing 5-6 year-olds remember, especially since I was in my early Jim Bridger exploring phase, and very much remember looking forward to bumping into more of these.
When you say Fish Grotto, do you mean the Cape Cod House, or another restaurant?
Could that have been the Planter’s Dock restaurant?
The driveway leading up to Planter’s Dock was lined with tiki statues. After they closed two of them were moved to 14 Charles Hill Circle in Orinda.
Hello Louis,
I live in town and have had family that has owned property here since before I was born. I love to hear about all of the places that used to be here but (unfortunately) are not any more..
My question is: could you tell me exactly where the place was located, and if there are any remnants remaining to this day???
Thanks,
EM
My parents were the owners of the El Nido Rancho in Lafayette. They loved the people of Lafayette. I remember Jay Bedsort and Petard who owned Petar’s the successor to the Tunnel Inn
My parents were the owners of the El Nido Rancho in Lafayette. They loved the people of Lafayette. I remember Jay Bedsworth and Petar who owned Petar’s the successor to the Tunnel Inn. These were great places to have a special night out.
How interesting. Can’t wait to hear more. Keep up the good work.
I have a wooden spoon from the Tunnel Inn. When did the restaurant close and where was it located
Ok the comment on the Tunnel Inn almost made me cry
My folks owned the El Nido Rancho. So many places are gone replaced by fast food stored.
I remember going to the Tunnel Inn many times as a child. Jay Bedsworth was a friend of my parents (same age) and he would do magic tricks for me. He’d also mak an animal out of a dinner napkin for me to take home.