Category: On This Date

On This Date: March 21, 1961 Honest John’s Casino Opened in Downtown Las Vegas

March 21, 2017
honest-john-downtown

Honest John’s in Downtown Las Vegas

March 21, 1961 Honest John’s Casino opens at 304 Ogden Street in downtown Las Vegas. This was small place was a slots only casino.

This was the Honest John’s located downtown and not the other one located on Las Vegas Blvd. and Sahara Ave. But, in 1968 it was renamed Lady Luck. In 1972, it expanded from its small beginnings to engulf the whole block as a full-fledged casino with restaurants and shops.

Currently the Downtown Grand resides at this location.

The photo above is the only photo of the downtown location we have.

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On This Date: February 28, 1906 Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel was Born

February 28, 2017
Bugsy Siegel Mug Shot

Bugsy Siegel an American Mobster

On this date: Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel was born February 28, 1906. In 1945. Bugsy Siegal, was instrumental in establishing the first resort on the now famous Las Vegas Strip with the opening of the Flamingo Hotel & Casino.

Siegel opened The Flamingo Hotel & Casino at a total cost of $6 million on December 26, 1946. Billed as the world’s most luxurious hotel, the 105-room property and first luxury hotel on the Strip, it was built seven miles from Downtown Las Vegas.

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On This Date: January 29, 2004 Castaways-Showboat Hotel Closes in Las Vegas

January 29, 2017
Showboat Hotel and Casino

Showboat in 2000 changed its name to the Castaways which then closed on January 29, 2004

The Castaways Hotel and Casino (2000-2004), formerly the Showboat (1954–2000), was a hotel and casino located at the north end of the Boulder Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. The hotel consisted of a 19 story tower containing 445 rooms, a 80,000-square-foot casino and an adjacent RV park. After 50 years the hotel was closed on January 29, 2004 and the hotel town was later imploded on January 11, 2006.

Photo By: roadsidepictures

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On This Date: January 27, 1942 Steve Wynn was Born

January 27, 2017

Steve Wynn (born January 27, 1942)  He played a pivotal role in the 1990s resurgence and expansion of the Las Vegas Strip. His companies refurbished or built what are now widely recognized resorts in Las Vegas, including the Golden Nugget, The Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Wynn, and Encore.

The Mirage was the first project in which he was involved in the design and construction of a casino. The $630 million cost to build the facility was financed largely with junk bonds issued by Michael Milken. The property was considered a high-risk venture by the standards then prevailing in Las Vegas because of its high cost and emphasis on luxury. However, it became enormously lucrative and made Wynn a major part of Las Vegas history.

Steve-Wynn

Steve-Wynn SEO of Wynn Resorts

Now, as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Wynn Resorts, Wynn has developed Wynn Las Vegas, which opened on April 28, 2005; Wynn Macau, which opened in September 2006; Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, which opened December 22, 2008; and Encore at Wynn Macau, which opened on April 21, 2010.

As of March 2012, Wynn is the 491st richest man in the world with a net worth of $2.9 billion.

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On This Date: January 27, 1951 First Nuclear Bomb Detonated at Nevada Test Site

Able- First Nuclear Test At the Nevada Test Site January 27, 1951

Able- First Nuclear Test At the Nevada Test Site January 27, 1951

The first nuclear bomb was tested at the Nevada Test Site on January 27, 1951. The Nevada Test Site is located 65 mi northwest of Las Vegas. The series of test was called Operation Ranger it was the fourth American nuclear test. The nuke shot was called  ‘Able’ and it was the first air-dropped nuclear device to be exploded on American soil. The test took place on Frenchman Flat, a dry lakebed in the Nevada Test Site (site 5). The .5-kiloton explosion was the first series to be carried out at the Nevada Test Site. The bomb was dropped by B-50 bombers and exploded in the open air over Frenchman Flat (Area 5).

Photo:  Department of Defense

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On This Date: January 27, 2015 White Castle Opens on the Las Vegas Strip

White Castle

White Castle opens on the Strip

On January 27, 2015 at the stroke of midnight, White Castle opened on the Las Vegas Strip. This is the first White Castle west of the Mississippi River. White Castle has over 400 store located in the Midwestern and Mid-Alantic states. White Castle is famous for their small square shaped burgers served with grilled onions, ketchup, mustard and pickles. Some people refer to these small greasy burgers as “Sliders”. This iconic burger chain follows in a long migration of fast-food to the glittering lights of Las Vegas including: In-n-out, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and Five-guys.

White Castle located on the Las Vegas Strip in the Casino Royale, 3397 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV as is open 24 hours a day.

UPDATE:  In less than 24 hours of the restaurant opening, they had to close to restock and do maintenance.

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