The El Rancho Hotel, built by Thomas Hull, was the first resort on the Las Vegas Strip at the southwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue. The property was envisioned by Hull to be a ranch-style hotel, complete with a showroom, casino, drive-up rooms, sprawling lawns, and a swimming pool. The hotel aimed to be an oasis for travelers, especially those coming from Southern California. The hotel’s windmill signage became a trademark, with its neon lights visible for miles. Unfortunately, the main building of El Rancho was destroyed by fire on June 17, 1960, and the property remained vacant for years.
College of Gambling
In the 1950s, Las Vegas introduced a dice gambling class for casino dealers at the College of Gambling. The college provided training for dealers in dealing at tables and handling various types of gamblers. With a major increase in visitors to the city, there were more job opportunities than there were people available to fill them. This led to many individuals flocking to Nevada and Las Vegas for the chance to work in a thriving city and mingle with the rich and famous.
Betting Shop
Despite gambling being legalized in Nevada in 1931, race and sports betting still operated in a legal gray area. While race betting was conducted by illegal bookies or secretive turf clubs, the growing popularity of Las Vegas as a gambling destination eventually led to the regulation of the industry. In 1951, the federal government imposed a 10% tax on the state’s legal betting books, further shaping the industry.
Aerial View of Las Vegas
This aerial photo offers a glimpse of Las Vegas when it was still a burgeoning city. Nevada was the first state to legalize gambling in 1931, with a single Las Vegas club initially receiving a temporary gambling license. The road that would later become the Las Vegas Strip began to attract attention as a gambling hotspot, with a few miles of the road being nicknamed “The Strip.”
Hotel Apache
The Hotel Apache offered a unique experience for visitors during its prime. It was the first hotel to introduce air-conditioned lobbies and curtain-like air barriers at the entrance. Additionally, it featured beautiful stained-glass windows and was pioneering in its inclusion of an elevator, full casino carpeting, and the popularization of poker as a mainstream casino game. The hotel became a popular destination for Hollywood stars like Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, and Lucille Ball under the ownership of Benny Binion.
The Main Strip
This image captures the early days of the Las Vegas Strip, featuring the Golden Nugget, the Lucky Strike Club, and the well-known Hotel Apache. Back in the 1950s, the bright lights of Las Vegas were dazzling to those who visited, but they would likely be awestruck by the modern-day brilliance of the city.
Meet Vegas Vic
Vegas Vic, the iconic large neon cowboy, was created in 1951 as a promotional effort by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Standing at 40 feet tall, Vegas Vic became an iconic sight at the Pioneer Club on the Strip, capturing the essence of the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Even today, Vegas Vic remains a popular and iconic symbol of Las Vegas.
Evel Knievel
Evel Knievel, the legendary daredevil and motorcycle stunt artist, gained fame for his death-defying tricks. Despite a turbulent youth, Evel’s fearless stunts captivated audiences and solidified his status as an ultimate daredevil. His contributions to motorcycle stunts left a lasting impact on the world of extreme sports.
Here, he accidentally caused an incident by crashing an earth mover into the city’s main power source while attempting a wheelie! The picture shows Evel attempting to jump over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The jump was about 141 feet, and unfortunately, Knievel did not succeed. Knievel crashed and ended up in a coma for 28 days.
The Queen of Rock and Roll
We all know Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, but what about the Queen of Rock and Roll, Lillian Briggs? Equally fabulous and talented, if not more so. Her single, “I Want You To Be My Baby,” became everyone’s favorite earworm. Briggs, a former truck driver, shot to stardom in the mid-50s. Several musicians of the time switched to rock and roll for more publicity.
Briggs was an early trendsetter. By 1955, she was already gaining global attention as the “Queen of Rock and Roll.” Despite changing music genres, her trombone (her first love) was a constant companion through the 50s and 60s. In this rare photo, she is seen giving a fierce performance at the Sands Hotel in 1958. She didn’t rely solely on rock and roll as a performer. Briggs also embraced swing rhythms, scat calling, blues, and big band influences.
Weddings in Las Vegas
Las Vegas became one of the country’s most popular venues for “goin’ to the chapel.” Back then, it was considered very elegant to get married in Vegas, how times have changed! Getting married in Vegas was not only exciting, it was aspirational of sorts.
Several celebrities chose Sin City as a marriage destination during the 1950s – from silent film stars to iconic Hollywood actors. But the most high-profile Vegas marriage of the time was that of Elvis and Priscilla. Celebrity weddings of the 1950s soon became an unspoken trend that included singer Dick Haymes and Rita Hayworth, and Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.
Show Girl Culture
During the 1950s, many female performers were expected to socialize with the high rollers after their performances. However, with showgirls, it was the opposite; they were placed on a pedestal, and it was decidedly difficult to play arm candy from a pedestal. Showgirls initially took the stage before and after the main acts, often dancing around the featured performer.
As time went on, they shifted from being supporting acts to rightfully becoming the main stars of the show. Extravagant showgirl performances were synonymous with Vegas in the 1950s. Times and tastes have now changed, and many former showgirls struggle to find work.
Nuclear Tests
Nevada was not all Hollywood glamour and bright lights during the ’50s. Let us not forget, the state was also the site for Operation Project 56 – a series of four nuclear tests conducted by the United States Government between 1955 and 1956. They conducted four nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site after Operation Wigwam and just before Operation Redwing.
Here is a group checking out the very first nuclear test of ’55, happening right there in Las Vegas, Nevada. They watched the initial atomic bomb being set off from a high-flying plane. After a slight delay, this particular blast finally kicked off the 1955 nuclear tests. They dropped the bomb at noon, despite facing strong winds and snow at 3 p.m.
Kitty Dolan
Model and actor Kitty Dolan epitomized the glitz and glam of the 1950s in Las Vegas. She was not just another face in the crowd, as evident from this photograph. The camera captures Dolan in the doorway sharing an intimate moment with a friend.
Dolan was at the heart of entertainment in Vegas although cinephiles remember her best for “The Tonight Show” (1953) and “How to Marry a Millionaire” (1957). She also appeared alongside “The King” Elvis Presley in the Paramount film “King Creole.” Some of the most unforgettable pictures from the era feature Dolan and Presley together, working and hanging out in the bright lights of Las Vegas.
More Hotels on the Strip
Vegas witnessed an explosion in nightlife during the 1950s. The Strip saw new additions, like the iconic Thunderbird Hotel, the Desert Inn, and the Silver Slipper. A wave of new establishments emerged in rapid succession: the Sahara (1952), Sands (1952), Royal Nevada (1955), Riviera (1955), Dunes (1955), Hacienda (1956), Tropicana (1957), and Stardust (1958).
This growth extended beyond the Strip, giving rise to properties like the Showboat (1954), Fremont (1956), and the revolutionary Moulin Rouge (1955). Additionally, commercial and residential developments developed north and east of Charleston. Boulevard.
Mario Lanza
Mario Lanza made it big during the 1940s and 1950s as an exceptional tenor and Hollywood star. Here he is, spotted in Las Vegas while on vacation. Lanza started singing at 15. It was clear that he was destined for fame. MGM’s bigwig, Louis B. Mayer, signed him in 1947 after a Hollywood Bowl hit.
Mario Lanza, by making an opera song widely popular in his film debut “That Midnight Kiss,” and his instant million-seller “Be My Love” from “The Toast of New Orleans,” rose to fame. Portraying Caruso in “The Great Caruso” (1951), his hit song “The Loveliest Night of the Year” contributed to the movie’s success at the box office that year.
Golfers Celebrating Wins
During the 1950s in Las Vegas, besides slot machines and neon lights, high-profile golf tournaments were a major attraction. The tournament held at the Desert Inn, where the present-day Sentry Tournament of Champions originated in 1953, attracted significant attention.
The tournament featured 20 accomplished golfers, all winners from the previous year. Although the prize money in today’s tournaments reaches millions, winners of the inaugural tournament earned very modest amounts. However, it remained an attractive opportunity for golfers to gain recognition and experience the allure of Vegas life.
Vintage Vegas
Las Vegas, once a desolate desert in the late 19th century, had transformed into a growing city with a distinct identity by the 1950s. Despite being labeled as ‘tacky’ or ‘flashy,’ the city fully embraced this image.
The era of Vintage Vegas saw three distinct phases – the 1950s pool showdown, the 1960s sign showdown, and the 1970s porte-cochere showdown. During the ’50s, swimming pools transformed from basic rectangles to cool oasis shapes with underwater bars and groovy music.
Las Vegas and Its Signature Design
Las Vegas left an indelible mark on the gambling world with its extravagant casino designs, contributing to the city’s reputation for glitz and glamour. This fueled the demand for more dazzling gambling establishments. Beyond the obvious elements, the design and appeal of casinos perfected by Vegas in the 1950s kept people coming back for more.
More than the thrill of gambling, the casino’s power to create an alternate reality encompasses flashy lights, the sound of jackpots, easy access to bars, and the labyrinth of slot machines – all meticulously designed to enchant visitors.
Up and Atom City
Las Vegas experienced a significant military boom from the 1940s onward, transitioning from World War II bases to Cold War facilities, notably the Nevada Test Site. The city became known as the “Up and Atom City” as mushroom clouds were visible from hotel windows and postcards advertised the spectacle.
During the atomic age, nuclear fission symbolized progress and modernity. To attract more tourists, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce rebranded the city as the “Atomic City,” hosting “bomb viewing parties” on desert hilltops, with the Sky Room at the Desert Inn becoming the go-to spot for a stylish experience.
Defying the Odds
Despite the economic flux in post-World War II America, Las Vegas defied the odds and experienced significant growth, becoming a burgeoning center of luxury hotels and casinos. The trendsetter Bugsy Siegel established swanky establishments on the Strip, attracting renowned figures from various industries. Additionally, the Bank of Las Vegas made history by providing financial support to casinos.
The burgeoning era drew in movie stars, music legends, and celebrities, each enticed by the city’s endless potential.
Judy Garland and Her Daughter
During a performance, superstar Judy Garland surprised the audience by bringing her daughter on stage to sing ‘Jingle Bells.’ Renowned for her versatility as an actress, singer, dancer, and vaudevillian, Garland’s iconic role as Dorothy Gale in “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) has made her unforgettable. Moreover, her children frequently attended her shows, mingling with other celebrity kids, including those of Rita Hayworth.
Shirley Bassey
Welsh singer Shirley Bassey, renowned for her performances in iconic Bond classics like “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Goldfinger,” was often compared to Eartha Kitt, Lena Horne, and Judy Garland. In 1957, she achieved chart success with “The Banana Boat Song,” elevating her prominence.
In 1964, Shirley Bassey’s performance of “Goldfinger” catapulted her to global stardom, garnering her a new audience in America and solidifying her status as a household name. Meanwhile, in 1959, Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher tied the knot, impacting Fisher’s career negatively. Debra Paget’s career took off after landing a role in the 1950 western film “Broken Arrow,” ultimately becoming one of 20th Century Fox’s biggest stars. The El Cortez, one of the oldest standing hotels in Vegas, quickly became a lucrative enterprise following its opening in 1941. Liberace, who made his mark in Vegas in 1955, left behind a legacy that is preserved in a museum that funds scholarships for aspiring musicians. Additionally, Las Vegas was the backdrop for the iconic heist film “Ocean’s Eleven,” starring Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Angie Dickinson. Louis Prima, also known as “the King of Swing,” found success in Vegas during the ’50s with his lounge band, and the Flamingo Hotel and Casino was established in 1946 by Bugsy Siegel and later became a significant player in the Vegas casino scene.
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