DeepSummary
This episode discusses the history of divorce ranches that emerged in Nevada in the 1930s after the state relaxed its divorce laws, allowing people to establish residency in as little as six weeks before filing for divorce on grounds like 'extreme mental cruelty.' These ranches provided accommodations and entertainment for visitors, predominantly women, during their mandatory waiting period, essentially turning divorce into a vacation.
The episode traces the origins of Nevada's divorce-friendly reputation back to its territorial days in the 1800s, when the territory and later state adopted liberal divorce laws compared to the rest of the country. As word spread of the ease of obtaining divorces in Nevada, Reno became known as the 'divorce capital,' leading to a boom in hotels, ranches, and entertainment venues catering to divorce-seekers.
While wealthy visitors could afford the upscale 'divorce ranches,' more modest boarding houses emerged for those of lesser means. The ranches offered a sense of community as guests bonded over their shared experiences. The phenomenon declined in the late 1960s as other states adopted no-fault divorce laws, making the Nevada residency requirement unnecessary.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Nevada became a hub for divorce in the early 20th century due to its comparatively lax divorce laws and short residency requirements.
- The concept of 'divorce ranches' emerged in the 1930s, allowing visitors to vacation while establishing Nevada residency before filing for divorce.
- Divorce ranches catered to a range of affluence levels, with high-end resorts as well as modest boarding houses.
- The ranches provided entertainment, activities, and a sense of community for predominantly female guests during their mandatory waiting periods.
- Celebrities and wealthy couples helped popularize and bring attention to Nevada's divorce industry and ranches.
- Concerns were raised about the ethics of temporary residency claims constituting perjury to obtain Nevada divorces.
- The phenomenon declined rapidly in the late 1960s as other states adopted no-fault divorce laws, making Nevada's residency rules obsolete.
- While some saw divorce ranches as dens of frivolity, ranch owners maintained strict policies banning staff fraternization with guests.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Give the public what it wants. Do it cheaply and with the minimum amount of trouble to the customer.“ by Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr.
- “As a whole, most of the people who came there, they wanted a divorce, so it wasn't an unhappy time for them. They just thought it was great that there was someplace they could come to get one.“ by Beth Ward
- “Nevada divorces are founded on perjury. Parties to divorce cases in Nevada are asked not only if they are residents of the state, but if they intend to be residents thereof. They always answer in the affirmative, although at the time of the answer they have their tickets purchased to go back home.“ by Los Angeles Evening Citizen News editorial
- “Divorce from the bonds of matrimony may be obtained by complaint under oath to the district court of any county in which the cause therefore shall have accrued, or in which the defendant shall reside or be found, or in which the plaintiff shall reside, or in which the parties last cohabitated, or if plaintiff shall have resided. Six weeks in the state before suit be brought for the following causes or any other causes provided by law.“ by Nevada Legislature
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Episode Information
Stuff You Missed in History Class
iHeartPodcasts
3/18/24