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Tunnel Links Casino in Sinatra

CALIFORNIA – As reported by the Sacramento Bee: "Not every visitor to Cal-Neva Resort comes to gamble.

"An extensive tunnel built by Frank Sinatra, who owned the state-straddling North Lake Tahoe casino from 1960 to 1964, has become quite a draw since it was opened for tours.

"Rick Talbot, Cal-Neva's security director and a history buff, became fascinated by the tunnel and the many stories surrounding it shortly after his retirement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department about seven years ago.

"Sinatra built it to provide privacy for himself and a multitude of visiting celebrities and politicians, including Marilyn Monroe, Jack and Bobby Kennedy and his friends, who were known as the 'Rat Pack.'

"…Sinatra rarely entered the casino's main rooms except late at night, when it was not unusual to see him with the Rat Pack in the Circle Bar, Talbot has been told.

"The tunnel allowed the celebrities to move about without distracting guests who were busy gambling. Employees, even Sinatra's bodyguards, were never allowed in the tunnel, said Talbot.

"…Talbot leads free tunnel tours on the hour from 6 to 9 p.m. each Thursday, Friday and Saturday…"

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