White Bear.

White King: World's Largest Polar Bear

Died 1957

White King, the world's largest polar bear, is on display in the coffee shop of Elko's Commercial Hotel and Casino. Standing 10 feet, 4 inches and weighing 2,200 pounds, White King's arrival here was the result of a 1957 challenge to find the largest Polar Bear in the Arctic Circle. For years the casino provided free postcards of a bathing beauty standing between White King's angry outstretched paws.

Big plaster replicas of the mighty ursine glower menacingly from above the main entrances to the casino. When last we visited, one had an arrow shot into his chest, while the other had numerous arrow holes.

White King made a brief, memorable appearance in Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing In Elko," a 1992 Rolling Stone cover story. In it, Mr. Thompson keeps future Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas, from shooting the already dead bear. According to Thompson, a liquored-up Thomas shouted, "I've had enough of this goddamn beast. It doesn't belong here. We should blow its head off."

Also see: Behemoths | Roadside Pet Cemetery

White King: World's Largest Polar Bear

Commercial Hotel and Casino

Address:: 345 4th St., Elko, NV
Directions:: At the Commercial Hotel and Casino. I-80 exit 303. Turn south onto Hwy 535, then right following Hwy 535/Idaho St. into town. At the corner of 4th St.
Hours:: Daily 10am - 1:30am. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:: 775-738-3181

More on White King: World's Largest Polar Bear

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