Chapter 5 – Renovation and Resilience
By the 1980s, Las Vegas had changed dramatically. The Strip had become the city’s postcard, stretching like a neon river to the south, while downtown was learning a new lesson in survival. Casinos like Bally’s, The Mirage, and Caesars Palace drew visitors with fountains, themed hotels, and spectacle. Fremont Street had to find its own… Continue reading Chapter 5 – Renovation and Resilience
Keep readingDowntown in the Seventies
By the 1970s, Fremont Street had developed a rhythm of its own — a cadence between past and future, where the ghosts of The Mob lingered beside the hum of neon. The El Cortez remained a steadfast anchor, while around it, downtown pulsed with the tentative energy of reinvention. The street was narrower than the… Continue reading Downtown in the Seventies
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Jackie’s Kingdom
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.… Continue reading Jackie’s Kingdom
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El Cortez – Fremont’s Flicker
By 1947, Fremont Street was beginning to hum with a different kind of electricity. The mob’s fingerprints were everywhere, but the town itself was still small enough that everyone knew the bartender’s name — and probably what he owed in poker losses. The desert wind carried the smell of dust, diesel, and perfume. From above,… Continue reading El Cortez – Fremont’s Flicker
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El Cortez: The Mob Arrives
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… Continue reading El Cortez: The Mob Arrives
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Casino Royale Hotel & Casino
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.
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Bugsy’s Brief Inheritance
Part 2 of our El Cortez Spotlight series In the spring of 1945, the desert heat arrived early, pressing down on Fremont Street like a secret. The El Cortez had been open barely four years, and already it was changing hands. The war was nearly over, soldiers were trickling back west, and Las Vegas-still small… Continue reading Bugsy’s Brief Inheritance
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The I.P.
Once rebranded, the property embarked on an expansion spree. Between 1982 and 1987, Engelstad added multiple hotel towers and additional casino space, boosting room count to about 2,637. Its theme was unusual at the time, capturing visitors with value-oriented room rates and a unique look compared to the mega-resorts. The resort also introduced interesting attractions…
Keep readingFremont Street Before the Glitter
Part 1 of our El Cortez Spotlight series Before Las Vegas had a skyline, it had a railroad stop, a few bars, and a stubborn belief that anything could grow in sand. The year was 1905, and the town existed mainly because trains needed a place to pause between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.… Continue reading Fremont Street Before the Glitter
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Why You Need to Stay at Fontainebleau Las Vegas Before It’s Too Late
Las Vegas has always been a magnet for thrill-seekers, but this season, there’s a new kid on the block that promises to raise the bar: Fontainebleau Las Vegas. If you’ve been dreaming of a luxurious escape filled with vibrant nightlife, mouth-watering cuisine, and a touch of glamour, then you need to book your stay at… Continue reading Why You Need to Stay at Fontainebleau Las Vegas Before It’s Too Late
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Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS): A Comprehensive Overview Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), located in Paradise, Nevada, is the primary airport serving Las Vegas and the surrounding region. Named after the former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the airport has undergone significant transformations over the years to accommodate the growing demands of air travel,… Continue reading Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
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Vegas and Paradise 
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