Originally called the "Embassy Palace", and owned by Ernest (Ernie) Primm and Joseph (Frankie) Martin. Often credited as being Los Angeles County's first legal card room. Raided in 1937. Licensed for poker in 1938.
In 1942, it became the "Embassy Club", owned by George Distel, Frank Irvine, and Archie Sneed Jr. It closed in early 1969, and later that year re-opened as the "Eldorado Club" (see "Became"). See Gardena Poker Clubs: A High-Stakes History (2017) Max Votolato.
Advertisement (above left) is a detail from a matchbook (below), the illustration of the club is from 1965 (Your Town magazine, City of Gardena Archives). |