Manufacturer: H.F. Coors China
User: Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall – Laughlin, Nevada
Date of plate: circa 1980s

Comparison of River Rick (on left) with Vegas Vic (on right)

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Notes: From Wikipedia: "What would become the Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall initially opened in 1979 as the Colorado Club and was built by Tom Ward and Ed Nigro. In 1986, the casino had the distinction of being the first casino to open a players' club for slot players in Nevada.

"The hotel and casino are located on the banks of the Colorado River in Laughlin, Nevada. It is known for its neon cigarette-puffing 'River Rick' marquee. It was a sister property of the Pioneer Club in Las Vegas until both properties were sold to separate parties.

"The Hotel and Casino were purchased on January 9, 2004, by Archon Corporation. The current owners continue utilizing the western theme that has been the signature of The Pioneer Club since its inception. The casino added a new sports book, operated by Lucky's Race & Sports Book, in August 2009.

"A new owner, The New Pioneer, LLC, assumed ownership on May 1, 2018. The casino closed at that time for 'refurbishment,' although no timetable for its reopening has been announced. [As of 2023, the hotel and casino had been reopened as The New Pioneer.]

"River Rick is the name of the neon sign that resembles a cowboy that was erected at the Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall in 1981. He is also referred to by some as Laughlin Lou, although the hotel itself calls him River Rick.

"When Margaret Elardi, owner of the Pioneer Club in Las Vegas, bought the Pioneer Club Laughlin in 1981 she commissioned the River Rick neon sign to be built, which was an almost exact copy of Vegas Vic found at the Pioneer Club in Las Vegas at a cost of $1.5 million.

"River Rick was built by the same sign company (Young Electric Sign Company) that made Vegas Vic 30 years prior.

"River Rick is one of three neon cowboys in Nevada, the others being Vegas Vic and Wendover Will."

This plate's production date would coincide with the changes to the club made by Margaret Elardi in 1981. Tan body, lightly brown-speckled plate with dark brown and tan drawings of various Western icons such as cowboy boots, horseshoes, cowboy hat, and saddle around the rim. All of these items are linked together by a drawing of a winding rope. At the top, bottom, and two sides there is a drawing of the hotel's "P" logo as a branding iron – a block letter "P" wearing a cowboy hat and the tail of a bandanna. The glaze on the plate has an unusual satin feel to it.

Sources:
Wikipedia – history of the hotel and casino
The New Pioneer website

For additional info:
Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall, by Sterling China

Contributors:
Plate photos: Susan Phillips
ID: Roland Burritt
Author: Ed Phillips