Las Vegas: A Pictorial Look Back

We apologize for being gone so much the last couple of weeks. The knee surgery from June took longer to heal up then originally anticipated.  To say thank you for your patience and kind thoughts, I'd thought I'd share some photos of things that aren't there anymore, Las Vegas-style:


This is Fremont Street circa the early 1930s.  The train depot is at the end of the street.  The Las Vegas Pharmacy is on the right-hand side about half way down (the castle like structure).  Retail businesses like the Sweet Shoppe, restaurants and other business are the focal point for  the small community.  Professionals such as doctors and lawyers offices are located on the second floor of many of the buildings.  The various gambling halls have yet to arrive.


The Hotel Last Frontier along Highway 91 (the highway to and from Los Angeles) with the pool out front so that passing motorists could see the cool, blue water and bathing beauties.  On a hot summer day in those years before air-conditioning was standard in cars, sites like this probably looked very refreshing to weary travelers.




A bevy of beauties.  The original hotels on the Las Vegas Strip all had chorus lines of young, beautiful dancers like this.


Downtown circa the early 1960s.  The Las Vegas Pharmacy has been replaced by the Silver Palace, Vegas Vic's arm still goes back and forth and he still talks and the beautiful Mint Hotel shoots neon into the heavens every night.  Downtown has become "Glitter Gulch".

Special Thanks to the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas for letting us use these images.

Las Vegas and the Mob





The Flamingo Hotel under construction.  Come learn the real history behind who actually built
this famed resort.



Las Vegas and the Mob

There's a great deal of myth that has sprung up over the years about the Mob and Las Vegas.  From "Bugsy" Siegel to "Lefty Rosenthal, the stories are colorful, sometimes apocryphal but are they true?

On Thursday, Sept. 4th, Untold Stories will take a look at Las Vegas and the Mob.

Joining us for a Roundtable Discussion will be CSN History Professor Dr. Michael Green, Local historian and curator Brian Paco Alvarez, former News Bureau manager Don Payne and former FBI agent Dennis Arnoldy.

We will examine the era "when the Mob ran Vegas" and separate the myths from the facts.  It should be a fascinating evening of history and stories that you don't want to miss.

Come early and enjoy the Farmer's Market or stop by enjoy some music with your wine.

The discussion begins at 7:00 pm in the Desert Learning Center.

We hope to see you there!

Untold Stories:  Las Vegas and the Mob

Thursday, Sept. 4th

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

7:00 pm


Admission $12

Billy Wilkerson, the real guy behind the original Flamingo Hotel

Notorious Flamingo owner, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel


Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal during the "Casino" era

Las Vegas and the Mob





The Flamingo Hotel under construction.  Come learn the real history behind who actually built
this famed resort.



Las Vegas and the Mob

There's a great deal of myth that has sprung up over the years about the Mob and Las Vegas.  From "Bugsy" Siegel to "Lefty Rosenthal, the stories are colorful, sometimes apocryphal but are they true?

On Thursday, Sept. 4th, Untold Stories will take a look at Las Vegas and the Mob.

Joining us for a Roundtable Discussion will be CSN History Professor Dr. Michael Green, Local historian and curator Brian Paco Alvarez, former News Bureau manager Don Payne and former FBI agent Dennis Arnoldy.

We will examine the era "when the Mob ran Vegas" and separate the myths from the facts.  It should be a fascinating evening of history and stories that you don't want to miss.

Come early and enjoy the Farmer's Market or stop by enjoy some music with your wine.

The discussion begins at 7:00 pm in the Desert Learning Center.

We hope to see you there!

Untold Stories:  Las Vegas and the Mob

Thursday, Sept. 4th

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

7:00 pm


Admission $12


Notorious Flamingo owner, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel


Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal during the "Casino" era

 

 


 

 



 

Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 at 12:43PM by Registered CommenterLasVegasLynn in , | CommentsPost a Comment
Creative Commons License

Las Vegas Jazz Society “Tribute To The Las Vegas Jazz Masters”

Joanne Gilbert, a new (and already active!) Friends of Classic Las Vegas member, told us about a Jazz Event This Sunday which is sponsored by the Las Vegas Jazz Society

It’s part of a series, ”Tribute to the Las Vegas Jazz Masters” - this time honoring, “Elder Statesman”, Jimmy Wilkins, trombonist, conductor, writer, arranger, alumnus of the Count Basie Orchestra, Clark Terry Big Band, and groups led by Illinois Jacquet, Teddy Wilson and Dizzy Gillespie, among many others. He has played with all the top players in American and Las Vegas Jazz History. Las Vegas is fortunate to be the home of many treasures of jazz history–their role in the evolving culture of our city is invaluable!

If you’re a “Friend of Classic Las Vegas”, or anyone interested in the history and community of our town, particularly the people who made it happen - and/or a music lover, then you don’t want to miss this event.

It’s at Sonny’s Tavern, 4145 S. Grand Canyon Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89147 (215/Flamingo).

Admission is $10/LVJS Members or $15/general admission.

Sunday, August 24 at 2:00 p.m., at Sonny’s Tavern:

Please RSVP to Joanne: jazz@joannes.us