Tag Archives: Bugsy Siegel

Celebration of Vegas El Cortez Hotel/Casino on National Register of Historic Places

This gallery contains 6 photos.

A fabulous celebration occurred Thursday, May 9th in front of the El Cortez Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  It was in honor of the property’s listing in the National Register of Historic Places for its role in the development … Continue reading

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Family Feud: Havana vs. Las Vegas in the 1950s. Part 2

This gallery contains 19 photos.

The great Havana building boom of 1956-1958 saw the completion of the biggest, most extravagant hotel-casinos outside of Las Vegas.  First to be erected was the glittering Hotel Capri, a modern 19-story edifice with the novelty of a rooftop swimming … Continue reading

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Family Feud: Havana vs. Las Vegas in the 1950s. Part 1

This gallery contains 11 photos.

Before Castro’s revolution, Havana and Las Vegas were rivals for the title of “Monte Carlo of the Americas.” Cuba was exotic, tropical, wild, and close by.  Las Vegas was dry, dusty and remote.  In Cuba, the mob invested heavily in … Continue reading

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments