Tag Archives: Havana

Pete’s New “Havana Before Castro” Website and Tour Maps

This gallery contains 2 photos.

Because of the renewed interest in Cuba travel, it made sense to completely revamp my Havana Before Castro website.  It includes chapter summaries, a downloadable sample chapter, and cool Then & Now photos.   Take a look! People are using … Continue reading

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 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