An unassuming Kentucky historical marker sits in the strip of grass between a medical office suite and U.S. Route 27. Most people passing by wouldn’t be able to make out any of the rusted words embossed on the state marker, let alone read the entire story.
The intersection of Interstate 471 and Alexandria Pike, where the sign resides, is a somewhat sleepy sight to behold these days. Besides a Liquor Barn and the offices of a digital pharmaceutical provider, there isn’t much you might notice. But just 50 years ago, it was home to one of the hottest nightclubs in the region.
The History of the Club
The Beverly Hills Supper Club was more than just a nightclub; it was a cultural hub. Originally opened as the Beverly Hills Country Club in 1935 by local businessman Pete Shmidt, the glamorous club was a hot spot for gambling and live entertainment. The club hosted some of the country’s most famous and influential entertainers. Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and a multitude of other legendary performers passed through the esteemed venue.
By the 1960s, the club had been purchased by a number of organized crime figures. Newport was a hub of mob activity and organized crime during the “sin city” era from the 1930s to the 1960s. In 1974, the club was sold to Richard Schilling. Between 1970 and 1976, several additional rooms and venues were built onto the existing structure of the club. These editions resulted in a sprawling, non-linear complex that was not the most intuitive to navigate…