Category: On This Date

On This Date: February 15, 2008 the Monte Carlo Reopens After Fire

February 15, 2019
Monte Carlo Resort

Monte Carlo Resort and Casino fire broke out on January 25, 2008

On January 25, 2008, at 10:57 AM, a fire broke out on the exterior of the top six floors of the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino. The fire was on the exterior of the building burning the foam facade. The ignition of the facade wall was attributed to welding on a catwalk on the roof. The hotel and casino were evacuated with no major injuries or deaths during the fire, which lasted a little more than an hour. The hotel remained closed for 21 days and The hotel & casino reopened to guests on February 15, 2008. MGM Mirage officials put the total losses due to fire damage and loss of business at just under $100 million.

Photo by: wikipedia.org

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On this Date: February 14, 2012, The Mob Museum Opened in Downtown Las Vegas

February 14, 2019
mob museum

The Mob Museum right before is grand opening in 2012

On February 14, 2012, The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, or “Mob “Museum located in Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada opened. The opening date of February 14th, coincides with the historical deadly Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1929. It was the murder of seven mob associates as part of a Prohibition-era conflict between two powerful criminal gangs in Chicago: the South Side Italian gang led by Al Capone and the North Side Irish gang led by Bugs Moran.Former members of the Egan’s Rats gang were also suspected of having played a significant role in the incident, assisting Capone.

The Museum is housed in the former Las Vegas Post Office and Courthouse, built in 1933 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is on Stewart Avenue, two blocks north of Fremont Street, the main artery of the downtown casino district. The Mob Museum is dedicated to the thrilling story of organized crime and law enforcement. It presents an exciting and authentic view of the mob’s impact on Las Vegas history and its unique imprint on the world.

The museum is located at the end of 3rd street at 300 Stewart Avenue near the newly opened “Mob Bar”,  just north of the Fremont Street Experience.  The expected opening is  in February of 2012.

Photo By: LasVegas360.com
Date Taken: December 30, 2011

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On This Date: February 12, 1952 The premier of The Las Vegas Story movie

February 12, 2019
The Las Vegas Story Movie

The Las Vegas Story Movie Premiers in Downtown Las Vegas on February 12,  1952

On February 12, 1952, the premier of The Las Vegas Story opened at the Huntridge and Fremont theaters is Las Vegas. The movie start Jane Russell, Victor Mature and Vincent Price. The Las Vegas Story is a 1952 suspense film noir starring Jane Russell and Victor Mature, it was produced by Robert Sparks and Howard Hughes. The movie was the first full length film to be shot on location in Las Vegas.

The plot is as follows: On a visit to Las Vegas, the wealthy Lloyd Rollins (Vincent Price) goes on a gambling streak, much to the dismay of his beautiful wife, Linda (Jane Russell). While in town, Linda decides to stop by her old stomping grounds, a casino, where she runs into her former flame, Lt. Dave Andrews (Victor Mature). Though Andrews hopes to rekindle his romance with Linda, missing jewelry, murder and kidnapping hinder those plans, and he must get to the bottom of the crimes.

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On This Date: February 11, 2015, Jerry Tarkanian Passed Away

February 11, 2019
Jerry Tarkanian

Jerry Tarkanian also know a Tark The Shark

On this Date February 11, 2015 Jerry Esther Tarkanian passed away. (August 8, 1930 – February 11, 2015). Jerry Tarkanian was a basketball coach known as one of the most successful college basketball coaches in history. He is also well known for his colorful behavior, and for his public criticisms of and clashes with the NCAA.

Tarkanian coached at Long Beach State, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV), and Fresno State University in his college career. He also coached the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association for twenty games during the 1992-93 NBA season.

Tarkanian  had a 729–201 career coaching record (78.4%) across all college divisions,  and is in the top 21 for collegiate wins among all men’s coaches.

Tarkanian died on Feb. 11, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he had been hospitalized a short time before with difficulty breathing.

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On This Date: February 11, 2012 Man Has Heart Attack at the Heart Attack Grill

Heart Attack Grill in downtown Las Vegas

Heart Attack Grill in Downtown Las Vegas where you eat free if you are over 350 pounds.

On February 11, 2012, a customer suffered what was reported to be an apparent heart attack while eating a Triple Bypass Burger at the Heart Attack Grill in downtown Las Vegas. The grill prides itself on the high calorie menu items that include: Flat-liner Fries, Butterfat Shakes, Quadruple Bypass Burger and Coronary Dogs. The scantily clad female servers dressed as nurses take orders as prescriptions, and a house policy allows diners weighing over 350 pounds to eat for free.

We will never be sure if this was a staged event or if a real hearth attack actually happen. But according to eye-witnesses the event did occurred. Other regular patrons have actually died from heart attacks, including, the restaurant’s previous 575-pound spokesman, 29-year-old Blair River, died in March 2011 at the age of 29, but not on the premises.

The downtown Las Vegas nighttime construction site security guard,John Alleman, also passed on from a heart attack while standing at a bus stop in front of the restaurant. John visited the Heart Attack Grill so often, they designed a line of clothing featuring a cartoon of Patient Joe.

The owner Jon Basso said that he currently has no plans to alter the Grill’s high calorie menu. The restaurant remains open to date.

Photo By: LasVegas360.com
Date Taken: 1/28/2012

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On This Date: February 10, 2015, the Clarion Hotel & Casino was imploded

February 10, 2019
Royal Inn Casino Post Card

Royal Inn Casino Post Card in the 1970’s

Shortly before 3 am on February 10, 2015 the Clarion Hotel & Casino was imploded.  The implosion did not go as expected, the main core of the elevator shaft dropped about 1 story but remained standing. The Clarion closed it doors September 1, 2014.

Opened in 1970, the property has had many owners and several name changes over the years including the Debbie Reynolds Hotel and Casino, Greek Isles, Paddlewheel, Royal Americana and Royal Inn.

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