Vintage Postcard – Horseshoe Club Las Vegas

HORSESHOE CLUB LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
The fabulous “new look” of the new Horseshoe Clue is a sight long to be remembered. This world’s largest electric sign lights up the sky for miles around while the 24-hour restaurant and ’round the clock casino continue to draw people from all over the world.
Color by David M. Mills

Copyright Ferris H. Scott, Santa Ana, Calif.
Western Resort Publications, 1320 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, Calif.
S45418
FS-863

As you know, I have a lot of love for the Horseshoe Club. Check out this post, featuring my Mom and Dad, as well as a more recent photo I took when we were there on vacation. Good times! This postcard looks like it’s from the 1950s, based on the cars.

From Wikipedia: “Benny Binion bought the Eldorado Club and Apache Hotel in 1951, re-opening them as Binion’s Horseshoe (also called the Horseshoe Casino). The casino’s interior had a frontier flavor, like an old-style riverboat, with low ceilings and velvet wallpaper. It was the first casino in downtown Las Vegas (also called Glitter Gulch) to replace sawdust-covered floors with carpeting.”

Feeling a bit of Las Vegas nostalgia. Did you see they just took down the Riveria? The Riv operated from April 1955 to May 2015. From Wikipedia: “The Riviera opened on April 20, 1955 as the first high-rise and the ninth resort on the Las Vegas Strip. Liberace cut the opening ribbon, and became the first resident performer. The Riviera is one of the oldest and most famous casino resorts in Las Vegas Valley. The Riviera also broke new ground in its design: previously, Strip resorts resembled roadside motor courts.”

Here it is, if you didn’t already catch it:

Like Las Vegas? Check these out:

Golden Gate Casino

The Dunes

Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn

Vintage Postcard – Golden Gate Casino – Las Vegas

Golden Gate Casino
Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada
In the Sal Sagev Hotel on Fremont Street, with a fine restaurant and all the popular games that make for fun in Las Vegas.

Desert Supply Co., Las Vegas, Nevada
Curteichcolor 3-D Natural Color Reproduction (Reg U.S.A. Pat. Off.)
9C-K1118

This card is unused, but the Curteichcolor dating guides suggest this was printed in 1959.

As you may know, the Golden Gate is still in business. According to their website, land for the casino was purchased in 1905. In 1931 the hotel changed its name to Sal Sagev, as noted in the postcard, which is Las Vegas spelled backwards. The Golden Gate Casino was created on the site in 1955.

When we got married in Las Vegas in 2007, we made a trip downtown to Fremont and I snapped this image:

More Las Vegas here:

Moulin Rouge

Binion’s Horseshoe Club

Desert Inn

Vintage Postcard – White Sands Motel

White Sands Motel
3889 Las Vegas Blvd., South
Las Vegas, Nevada
Phone 736:2515
33 Luxury Rooms on the “Strip”
Phones – TV – Tubs – Showers in All Rooms
Heated Pool – Family Units

Pub. by John Shimberg, Photography, Las Vegas, Nevada
Made by Dexter Press, Inc, West Nyack, New York
68574-B

This postcard features the AAA logo. It has not been postally used. The White Sands Motel was built in 1959.

So, the old address still pulls up on Google Street View. But I don’t think the motel is actually in operation any more. I called the phone number listed and the machine states “WSM, please leave a message regarding the nature of your call.” I will let you know if I hear back.

The way things go on the strip, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this old gem demolished in the near future.

More Las Vegas here:

Dunes LV

Hacienda

Caesar’s Palace

Vintage Postcard – Flamingo, Las Vegas

The Flamingo
IS LAS VEGAS

L0cated in the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip, the Flamingo is one of the world’s most beautiful and comfortable resort-hotels.

Pub. by Elmo M. Sellers, 6270 Mosley Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90056, Phone: 295-4633

We’ve featured the Flamingo on catobear.com before…here. Today’s card offers the pool-side view, with a surprising amount of grass (for a desert).

Land was purchased for the Flamingo in 1945 by Billy Wilkerson, one mile south of the Last Frontier. The construction foreman was Del Webb…check out one of his other places here. Del Webb also built the Sahara and owned the Mint in Las Vegas.

Bugsy Siegel bought into the partnership in 1946. The hotel opened unsuccessfully December 26, 1946, closed down, and reopened March 1, 1947 as the Fabulous Flamingo. It’s still in operation, but doesn’t look much like it did in its youth (that also applies to myself…).

Happy Halloween! Be safe out there trick-or-treating tonight. As for me, I’ll be enjoying a glass of wine with all the lights off. I’m fun that way.

Vintage Postcard – The Hotel Dunes

The Hotel Dunes
Las Vegas, Nevada
This new high-rise multi-million dollar hotel on the world famous Las Vegas Strip is one of the showplaces of the Western Hemisphere. The many exclusive shops and facilities make it not only a city within a city – but a city within a hotel.

Copyright Ferris H. Scott, Santa Ana, Calif.
Western Resort Publications, 1320 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, Calif.
S-60735L3
FS-1012

When my folks visited Las Vegas in 1980, they stayed at the Dunes.

This site has a nice little write-up on the Dunes. They note that the casino and north tower were where the Bellagio fountain is today. This website has additional history about the Dunes, which opened with only 200 rooms…can you imagine that in Las Vegas today? The addition of the tower brought the room total to 450 in 1961.

The Dunes seemed to have financial difficulties from the very beginning. The Dunes is long gone, replaced by the Bellagio. The doors closed for good in January 1993, with demolition starting in October of that year.

Want to see the implosion of the Dunes? Thank you, YouTube.

Like this post? You need to check out more Las Vegas happiness!

City Center

Aladdin

Caesar’s Palace

Vintage Postcard – Desert Inn

Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn,
Las Vegas, Nevada
Adjacent to the beautiful olympic swimming pool of this fabulous “strip” hotel is nightly presented a breathtakingly beautiful performance of the “dancing Waters” – dancing to the accompaniment of beautiful music.

Pub. by Las Vegas News Avency, Las Vegas, Nevada
Plastichrome by Colourpicture Publishers, Inc., Boston 15, Mass., U.S.A.
P26479

This lovely night view vintage postcard was mailed March 4 1961 using a green 3 cent International Naval Review Jamestown Festival stamp. It was mailed to Simos Brothers – Excavators, Platt Avenue Hills, West Haven 16, Connecticut. It reads:

Beside this – the most beautiful stage – the Stardust has about 7 or 8 different arrangements of water sprays – falls – streams – ponds – fountains etc. – Thought this would interest you
George Colins
Sumac St

I only can assume that George Colins works as an excavator as well and spent most of his time vacationing looking at water sprays, streams, ponds, etc. I bet his vacation slide-show-viewing parties at home were legendary “and here, you see another pond with landscaping…”

This postcard is added to my collection of Desert Inn postcards, as shown in the mega-post here. The Desert Inn operated from April 24, 1950 to August 28, 2000. It was where Wynn Las Vegas stands now. Desert Inn has a fascinating history…check out the Wikipedia here.

Vintage Postcard – Hacienda Las Vegas

Hotel Hacienda, Las Vegas, Nevada
This picturesque Olympic size pool and surrounding gardens have been designed for the guests’ utmost enjoyment. This luxurious Strip Hotel is one of the nation’s most beautiful settings and is dedicated to your vacationing pleasure.

Color by David M. Mills
FS-871
Copyright Ferris H. Scott, Santa Ana, Calif.
Western Resort Publications, 1320 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, Calif.
S-45428L3

This lovely vintage postcard is unused.

Th Hacienda opened in 1956 and was imploded on New Year’s Eve December 1996. It was located on the very south end of the strip, near McCarran Airport, in the location where Mandalay Bay now stands.

Here’s a YouTube of the implosion:

The implosion wasn’t the final bit of the Hacienda, though. The next day, the rest of the demolition work began. This website has some excellent photos of what was left after the explosion.

Also, this Flikr account has some awesome photos and postcards you should absolutely check out.

Binion’s Horseshoe Club

Binion’s Horseshoe Club
Downtown Las Vegas
The ‘Bright Spot’ on the world’s brightest 2 blocks, features the most unique display seen anywhere; $1,000,000.00 in cash. One hundred $10,000 bills encased in an 8 foot golden horseshoe. Long famed for ‘Fast Action’, the new beautiful Horseshoe Hotel and Casino is now considered the “Showplace of Casino Center.” The popular new Sombrero Room features the most authentic Mexican food in Las Vegas.

This postcard is a real photo printed on postcard stock on the back (Kodak Paper). It is postally unused. And that cute couple in the middle? That’s my Mom and Dad! Mom guessed this photo to be very late 70s, possibly 1980.

Of course, Binion’s is still in operation downtown Las Vegas. My folks stayed at the Dunes, but the million dollars was a heck of a photo opportunity back then. According to Wikipedia, “the casino is named for its founder, Benny Binion, whose family ran it from its founding in 1951 until 2004. The hotel, which has 366 rooms, closed in 2009.”

This photo is from our trip to Las Vegas in November of 2007:

Vintage Postcard – Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace
3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South – Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Desert Suppl Co., Las Vegas, Nevada
Curteichcolor 3-D Natural Color Reproduction (Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.)

This lovely vintage card was mailed using a six cent California 1769-1969 mission bell stamp, postmarked in Las Vegas October 17 1969. It was mailed to Miss Catherine Robbins, 231 Washington Street, Riverside, N.J. It reads:

Hi!
What a place. Money, money, money – going, going, gone. Got here by way of Neb. Okla. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona. Love, Martha – Don – Mother

Of course, Caesar’s Palace is still in business. Wikipedia notes “Building of the 14-story Caesars Palace hotel began in 1962. That first tower would have 680 rooms on the 34-acre site […] The hotel was inaugurated on August 5, 1966.” Martha, Don and Mother visited Caesar’s just after the start of construction for an expansion of the hotel (under the name Caesar’s World).

Bob and I last visited Las Vegas March 17 – 22, 2012. We did some shopping in the Forum Shops (I bought a dress at Bettie Page). Here’s a night shot, from that visit:

And here’s a photo out of our history, from our trip in 2007:

Vegas on Demand has a bit more of the history of Caesar’s Palace, including first wedding, acts that have played, etc.

Lest you think Caesar’s Palace is a place stuck in history, they’ve got some new things going on: “Caesars Entertainment is redefining the iconic Las Vegas skyline with The LINQ, an open-air retail, dining and entertainment district, anchored by the world’s tallest observation wheel, known as the High Roller. Located at the heart of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, The LINQ will span more than 200,000-square-feet of gross leasable space and feature more than 30 unique retail, dining and entertainment experiences. the wheel will feature 28 glass-enclosed cabins that will unveil broad views of the famed-resort city in the 30 minutes it takes to complete one full revolution. Each cabin will accommodate up to 40 people and will be available for individual or group experiences. The LINQ is scheduled to make its debut in late 2013.”

Can’t wait for our next trip!

Vintage Postcard – Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn

The following postcards make up a MEGA POST on Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn, previously located in Las Vegas. All are postally unused.

Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn, Las Vegas, Nevada
This famous hotel is one of the show places of the West, with one of the nation’s most beautiful swimming pools.
Color photo by Union Pacific R.R.
Copyright Ferris H. Scott, Santa Ana, Calif. 1954
Mirro-Krome Card By H.S. Crocker Co., San Francisco 1, Calif.
8A

Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn
Las Vegas, Nevada
This luxurious hotel and its famous sky room is one of the show places of the West. It has one of the nation’s finest golf courses where the Tournament of Champions is played, and a fabulous swimming pool dedicated to your vacationing pleasure.
Color photo by Desert Sea News Bureau
Copyright Ferris H. Scott, Santa Ana, Calif. 1955
Mirro-Krome Card By H.S. Crocker Co., San Francisco 1, Calif.
LV-10

Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn
Las Vegas, Nevada
This luxurious hotel with its famous sky room is one of the show places of the West. It has one of the nation’s finest golf courses where the Tournament of Champions is played, and a fabulous swimming pool dedicated to your vacationing pleasure.
Ektachrome by Dave Lees
Copyright Ferris H. Scott, Santa Ana, Calif. 1955
Mirro-Krome Card By H.S. Crocker Co., San Francisco 1, Calif.
LV-13

Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn
Las Vegas, Nevada
A view of the SWIMMING POOL
Looking Toward the Glass-Enclosed
SKYROOM COCKTAIL LOUNGE
PAINTED DESERT ROOM SUPPER CLUB ;
‘ROUND THE CLOCK CASINO, AND LADY LUCK BAR
“Plastichrome” by Colourpicture, Boston 15, Mass., – 2143 So. Alsace Ave, L.A.
P3027

Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn. Las Vegas, Nevada
A picturesque night scene of the Desert Inn’s illuminated pool and casino. This multi-million dollar Strip hotel is one of the showplaces of the West and one of the most popular hotels in the nation.
Color Photo by Mark Swain
Copyright Ferris H. Scott, Santa Ana, Calif.
Western Resort Publications, 1320 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, Calif.
FS-51
S-2920-12

Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn. Las Vegas, Nevada
This fabulous Olympic size pool is in one of the nation’s most beautiful settings and is dedicated to your vacationing pleasure. This luxurious hotel nightly presents the finest stage shows in the West while the Casino and surrounding gardens are unsurpassed.
Color Photo by Mark Swain
Copyright Ferris H. Scott, Santa Ana, Calif.
Western Resort Publications, 1320 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, Calif.
FS-52
S-2921-6

The Desert Inn has a fascinating history…read about it on Wikipedia here.

Check out another Desert Inn postcard here.