The Smith River Rancheria is located next to the Pacific Ocean, adjacent to the mouth of the Smith River and three miles south of the Oregon State line. The first meeting between the Indians and non-Indian traders took place in 1828 when they were visited by Jedediah Smith. Massacres took place in 1863, which almost decimated the Tribe. The Tribe subsequently relocated to Prince Island consisting of 14 1/2 acres located just offshore in the Pacific Ocean. Around 1903, the island began to erode. The Tribe then returned and established a new village and cemetery. Ironically, in 1906 the federal government bought the Smith River land for indigent Indians from the perpetrators of the Howonquet massacre. This was done under Patent and signed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914. The Rancheria was terminated in 1958. In 1983, the Tillie Hardwick Class Action suit resulted in the reinstatement of the Rancheria as a federally recognized Tribe.
The primary source of revenue and employment for many years in Del Norte County has been timber and fishing industries.
In 1970, 28 mills were operating in the County.
By 1994, the last mill closed and the fishing industry is now at its lowest ebb.
The unemployment statistics have doubled and the Indian unemployment rate has run at about 89%. The decline in the economy has caused serious cultural, economic and self-esteem problems.
In 1987, a Community Medical Clinic was built to service all Native Americans of Del Norte County and southern Oregon with a two thousand head count per month. During 1993-1996, the Clinic expanded to include a Dental Clinic, which opened in 1998. By 1995, the Tribal Office was in place and senior/handicap three duplex apartments had been completed. Construction of a Tribal Head Start facility, with the shell of the future Child Care center was completed in 2000. Plans are now in process to construct a Multipurpose Community Center, with a professional regulation basketball court. In 1996, the Tribe opened a small Casino as an economical development project. In 1998, a master plan was completed, which set goals and objectives for the Tribe. By the year 2000, a much larger Casino was built with a restaurant attached. Funds from this economic project have made it possible to purchase some land for the current housing project started in the middle of 2001.
Due to gradual growth, Smith River Rancheria has been successful in establishing a self-determination tribal government. There are many plans for the future to build up the economy for the Tribe, which would lead to the creations of jobs, improve education opportunities and certainly improve the living conditions for many families.
Lucky 7 Casino opened its doors July 17th 1996. Back then, Indian casinos were a relatively new idea.
Lucky 7 cleared a piece of ground, put a couple of doublewide trailers on it, acquired 107 video gaming machines and hired sixty employees. Those were the days of pulling on to the gravel lot and walking into a slightly smoky "room" filled with machines and little room to move.
Now this doesn't sound like the best beginning, but the place had a lot of charm.
People started to enjoy coming here to unwind or meet friends.
Other folks just liked to play the games.
Lucky 7 learned a lot from its guests over the years.
Some wanted a place to eat while others wanted a non-smoking room, more parking, more room on the gaming floor, newer machines....
It was time to expand.
The doors of the brand new Lucky 7 Casino officially opened on September 11, 2000. The opening was done in three phases.
The first phase was the gaming floor which consists of approximately 250 video gaming machines.
One of the most exciting aspects of the new casino was Las Vegas style slot machines, using real coins.
There are several new gaming machines that feature touch screens displaying 16 different gaming machines i.e., Keno, Bingo, Poker, Blackjack, and 8-Liners.
The card room, contains two "21" tables and opened on October 2, 2000.
The next phase was the full service restaurant and lounge which opened for business on November 3, 2000.
A chef was hired to begin the process of creating a dinner house for your dining pleasure.
The third and final phase was the opening of Bingo which happened on January 16, 2001.
The Bingo room can seat a maximum of 200 while the restaurant can seat up to 100 people.
When Bingo is not in session the management offers the room to the public for special events, i.e., banquets, corporate dinners, reunions, etc.
The new casino now employs approximately 120 local people from Crescent City, Smith River and the Brookings-Harbor areas.
So what's on the horizon?
Plans are currently being made for the construction of an outdoor "Band Shell" to feature our upcoming Concerts on the Green events.
Looking past that, who knows?
It's really up to our guests.
Some ideas have come up like building a hotel or creating a full service R.V. Park and gas station.
While we can't say what the future holds, our goal will remain the same. To provide a safe, fun and friendly environment for your complete entertainment. It's been a fun past six years and a bright future lies ahead.
Lucky 7 cleared a piece of ground, put a couple of doublewide trailers on it, acquired 107 video gaming machines and hired sixty employees. Those were the days of pulling on to the gravel lot and walking into a slightly smoky "room" filled with machines and little room to move.
Now this doesn't sound like the best beginning, but the place had a lot of charm.
People started to enjoy coming here to unwind or meet friends.
Other folks just liked to play the games.
Lucky 7 learned a lot from its guests over the years.
Some wanted a place to eat while others wanted a non-smoking room, more parking, more room on the gaming floor, newer machines....
It was time to expand.
The first phase was the gaming floor which consists of approximately 250 video gaming machines.
One of the most exciting aspects of the new casino was Las Vegas style slot machines, using real coins.
There are several new gaming machines that feature touch screens displaying 16 different gaming machines i.e., Keno, Bingo, Poker, Blackjack, and 8-Liners.
The card room, contains two "21" tables and opened on October 2, 2000.
The next phase was the full service restaurant and lounge which opened for business on November 3, 2000.
A chef was hired to begin the process of creating a dinner house for your dining pleasure.
The third and final phase was the opening of Bingo which happened on January 16, 2001.
The Bingo room can seat a maximum of 200 while the restaurant can seat up to 100 people.
When Bingo is not in session the management offers the room to the public for special events, i.e., banquets, corporate dinners, reunions, etc.
The new casino now employs approximately 120 local people from Crescent City, Smith River and the Brookings-Harbor areas.
So what's on the horizon?
Plans are currently being made for the construction of an outdoor "Band Shell" to feature our upcoming Concerts on the Green events.
Looking past that, who knows?
It's really up to our guests.
Some ideas have come up like building a hotel or creating a full service R.V. Park and gas station.
Copyright © 2002 Lucky 7 Casino.