McKay was born on the Comstock, and lived part of his life there. He was part of the Tonopah boom owning saloons there. He was a bootlegger and also likely involved in illicit narcotics. By 1923 he was in Reno and he and his partner would own the largest clubroom (casino) in America, the largest house of prostitution in western Nevada and the fanciest nightclub, speakeasy and gambling joint outside of downtown. He would associate with two men who became America’s most wanted criminals, Baby Face Nelson and Alvin Creepy Karpis! He would serve time in Leavenworth and marry a child movie star. He died in the 1960’s from complications of dementia and other diseases.  This is one interesting native!

Michael Fischer works for the Nevada Historical Society

Please note that we have only 50 total seats for people to see the lecture.  Due to the crazy interest in the lecture series, and the fact that we are selling out each week, we will have to closely monitor the sign ups for this lecture series.