AGA: Fireside Chat – Nick Abelman, the Man behind Graham and McKay (Off-site, SVL)
September 6 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Nevada History – On The GO! (Sierra View Library)
A Special American Gaming Archives AGA: Fireside Chat
Nick Abelman, the Man behind Graham and McKay (Bank Club Casino)
Bank Club, 1938.
September 6, 2025
1:00 to 2:30 pm
Nevada History – On The GO! Lecture 2025
The Nevada Historical Society’s building may be closed for an exciting remodel, but you can still enjoy their fascinating lectures at the Sierra View Library during their closure. NHS Nevada History – On The GO! Series is combining their three history programs that delve into Nevada History, Lake Tahoe, and the American Gaming Archives gambling and gaming history. Make sure to visit Sierra View Library on the first Saturday of every month to learn more about Nevada’s history through these engaging talks that are geared towards audiences of all ages.
Speaker: Bill Pettite, former judge and gambling historian
Title of Chat: Nick Abelman, the Man behind Graham and McKay (Bank Club Casino)
Summary of Talk: The talk focuses on Nick Abelman, the silent partner and man behind William J. Graham and James McKay. Abelman began running clubs in Nevada, starting in 1906. Pettitte will share some amazing stories of the inner workings of early gambling in Nevada.
Judge William Pettite
Speaker Bio: Judge William Pettite, born in Reno, Nevada, is an avid historian and author, having been cited in numerous books and newspapers, including the Roots of Reno and Dempsey in Nevada. Working with Charles Mapes, owner of the Mapes hotel, Bill brought eight World Boxing Champs to the Skyroom for a special party. His rich life includes working summers on his family’s ranch in Idaho, where he was later appointed Probate Judge and owned two newspapers. He spent most of his time in California, holding many posts, including working with two governors, working as a legislative committee consultant, and serving as an executive officer on several state boards. He remains an avid heritage preservation advocate with many public service awards to his name. For twenty years, Bill hosted a yearly luncheon for Reno friends of his uncle, Nick Abelman.
We would like to thank our partner, the Washoe County Library System and the Sierra View Library for hosting our off-site lectures.
Sierra View Library has been serving communities from Midtown to South Reno since 1987. Located inside the Reno Town Mall, directly across from the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, the library has two entrances. The front entrance allows visitors to stroll by shops and businesses in the mall, while the second entrance is accessible from the rear, south side of the mall. This back entrance has an ADA accessible lift. The address is 4001 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502.
