Laughlin, Nevada

Laughlin is a Census Designated Place that is governed by a town council appointed by the Clark County Board of Commissioners. Back in 1964, Don Laughlin, the operator of the 101 Club in Las Vegas, bought what was then called South Pointe: the whole southern tip of Nevada. He built an eight room motel (his own family occupied 4 of the rooms) and installed 2 gaming tables and 12 slot machines. He also offered guests all-you-can-eat chicken dinners for $0.98. From that humble beginning grew what is now the 3rd most visited resort and casino center in Nevada. Laughlin himself wanted to call the place Riverside but the Post Office chose Laughlin and that name stuck. The city has opted to advertise itself as a more family-oriented center than Las Vegas or Reno and has put greater emphasis on developing family and outdoor activities in the area. Across the Colorado River is Bulhead City, AZ, with 4 times the population and home to many of the workers in Laughlin.

The Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area begins at the southern limit of Laughlin.