TokenBrotha

Brothers William and Frank Jeung Kee opened the Westside’s El Rio Club in '54. They hired and trained black & Chinese employees, offered American and Chinese food, low limit gambling, and cocktails. William Kee died in '56. Gin Choy Jew owned the club from the late 50s to mid 60s. A later owner was Richard Lewis Rock. Our last record of El Rio club is from '77.

The building still stands, later used by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10057, and for the last few decades by American Legion Post 10. 

Thanks to Pam Goertler for the 1973 photo, ephemera, and primary research on El Rio. Other sources include Jack Berger. Black casinos flourished during days of segregation. Review-Journal, 11/11/75 p11.

El Rio Club matchbook and keno cards. "Revere" street later became Doolittle.