While out on our Sons of the Pioneers road trip, it's been wonderful to have some time in between performances to do some exploring. Luanna and I, along with Tommy Nallie and Miss Judy decided a few days ago to drop by a property that was a wonderful venue for the Pioneers for nearly 30 years, Cactus Pete's, in Jackpot, Nevada.
I had been long familiar with this northeastern Nevada community because of my involvement with the Pioneers. Located along the Nevada/Idaho border, the famous Cactus Pete's was founded by Peter Piersanti in 1954 along Highway 93. This led to the forming of the community of Jackpot.
While doing some exploring in this little neighborhood, I have discovered that Piersanti was born in Superior, Wyoming, on November 3, 1916. A son of Italian immigrants (Harry and Santina Piersanti), Pete was the youngest of nine children. The family later moved to Ogden, Utah. Pete married Ogden resident Faye Marshall in 1937. They would have two sons and a daughter together.
While in Ogden, Pete began a career in the restaurant and gaming business, opening a bar and grill with a card room and pinball machines. Pete served in World War II in the U.S. Army.
After the war Pete and Faye relocated to Island Park, Idaho, and in 1947 they opened Island Park Lodge, and introduced several casino slot machines.
In 1954, things took a sudden change when Idaho outlawed all forms of casino gambling and gaming. Pete and the family packed everything up and moved south down Highway 93 just inside the Nevada line in Elko County and began Cactus Pete's Motor Lodge. This led to the founding of Jackpot, Nevada. By 1958 the lodge was so successful with its gas station and slot machine operation, an additional fifteen rooms were added to the lodge. An aircraft runway was also built nearby.
Another Idaho businessman and friend of Pete's, Mr. Don French, opened another casino operation across the street, opening it as the Horse Shu Club. By 1959, Jackpot was well on its way, with large numbers of visitors from the southern Idaho area. Jackpot's population went from 70 residents to over 400 by 1960.
In 1964, Pete purchased the Horse Shu Club from French, and in 1971, Pete sold his interests completely. Ameristar Casinos purchased both properties and continue to run them today. In recent years, two more independent casinos have opened, the Four Jack's Casino, and Barton's Club 93. Jackpot's economy thrives today on these businesses as well as a golf course, camping, restaurant and hotel accommodations.
Cactus Pete would move to Las Vegas in 1971 for a brief stay. He would then purchase the Senator Club in Carson City, Nevada. It was renamed Cactus Jack's Senator Club. Pete would remain very active in the Lake Tahoe area up to his retirement in 1989. He would be a Carson City and south Lake Tahoe resident for over twenty years. Pete passed at age 77 on February 14, 1994, and is laid to rest at the Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City.
In recent years, the Jackpot community honored Cactus Pete by naming Piersanti Drive after him. As of 2020, the population here was a little over 900.
Cactus Pete's continues to offer a fabulous entertainment line-up. The Oak Ridge Boys have played here often, as well as Clint Black, Willie Nelson, and Confederate Railroad.
The Sons of the Pioneers played here for years during the 4th of July festivities, and we are hoping to get back on the roster for concerts here again. Stay tuned.
Where do we go next? We just did performances in Boise and Rupert, Idaho. We're wrapping up a performance in Carson City and at the end of the month our annual visits to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Blairsville, Georgia, will take place and wrap with a November 1 performance in Kearney, Nebraska. We hope to see you on the trail or at the home corral.
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