Chapter 4 of our El Cortez Spotlight series When Jackie Gaughan arrived in Las Vegas in the early 1960s, Fremont Street was a street caught between memory and ambition. The Strip was rising fast to the south, promising fountains, fountains, and even more fountains, but downtown remained the beating heart of the city’s older rhythm. The El Cortez, already decades old, was quietly waiting for … Continue reading Jackie’s Kingdom
The Imperial Palace was originally opened as the Flamingo Capri in 1959 as a 180-room motel. Ralph Engelstad purchased the property in 1971, added a casino in 1972, and renamed it the Imperial Palace in 1979 when a new casino facility opened. Engelstad expanded the resort with additional hotel towers from 1982 to 1987, making it one of the largest hotels in the world with … Continue reading The Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Chapter 3 of our El Cortez Spotlight series By the mid-1940s, El Cortez had become a tidy little cash machine on Fremont Street, attracting both curious travelers and the kind of men who didn’t like to explain where their money came from. The war had ended, soldiers were returning home, and Las Vegas was poised for a kind of rebirth -one that would shimmer under … Continue reading El Cortez: The Mob Arrives
On January 1, 1992, the property was reborn as Casino Royale, under the ownership of the Elardi family (who also owned the Frontier at the time). They bought the former Nob Hill and adjacent hotel for about US$17 million. Continue reading Casino Royale Hotel & Casino
The pink flamingo is more than just a bird—it’s a cultural icon that represents Las Vegas luxury, pop culture, and kitsch Americana. Learn how the Flamingo Hotel turned this exotic bird into a global symbol of glamour, fun, and bold living. Continue reading How the Flamingo Became a Symbol
Before the iconic Flamingo Hotel and Casino brought glamour to the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas was a rugged frontier shaped by the natural springs and early settlers. Discover how this desert oasis evolved from a trading post into the vibrant city we know today. Continue reading Before the Flamingo
The Flamingo Hotel and Casino wasn’t just another Las Vegas establishment—it was the spark that lit the Strip’s glitzy flame. From Bugsy Siegel’s vision of a desert oasis to its modern-day charm, discover how the Flamingo redefined entertainment, luxury, and nightlife in Las Vegas. Continue reading How the Flamingo Redefined Las Vegas
Before the Stardust transformed the Las Vegas Strip, the city’s evolution from a frontier town to a booming tourist destination set the stage. Explore the rise of the Strip, the post-war tourism boom, and the pivotal developments that paved the way for the Stardust’s cosmic debut. Continue reading Las Vegas Before the Stardust
For nearly 50 years, the Stardust Hotel and Casino defined the glitz, glamour, and intrigue of Las Vegas. From its cosmic-themed grand opening in 1958 to its dramatic demolition in 2007, the Stardust was more than a hotel—it was a symbol of a city built on dreams and reinvention. Dive into the story of this iconic landmark, its ties to the Space Age, mob history, and how its neon glow illuminated an unforgettable era of the Las Vegas Strip. ✨ Continue reading Venue Spotlight: Stardust Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas Nevada
Vegas and Paradise 