Vegas Pins and Buttons
Description: In late 1945, mobster Bugsy Siegel and his partners came to Las Vegas. Vegas reportedly piqued Siegel and his mob's interest because of its legalized gambling and off-track betting. At the time, Siegel held a large interest in Trans America Wire, a racing publication. Siegel began by purchasing El Cortez on Fremont Street for $600,000. His expansion plans were hampered by unfriendly city officials aware of his criminal background, so Siegel began looking for a site outside the city limits. Hearing that Wilkerson was seeking extra funding, Siegel and his partners posed as businessmen and directly bought a two-thirds stake in the project.
Description: The Pioneer Club occupied a building that was built in 1918 and originally served as a restaurant. The Pioneer Club Casino and Cocktail lounge opened in April 1942 on the corner of 1st Street and Fremont Street. 'Vegas Vic' was added to the exterior of the building in 1951, changing the exterior of The Pioneer club forever. Although the Pioneer Club ceased operations as a casino in 1995, Vegas Vic (The 40 ft neon cowboy) and the Pioneer Club signage live on as a true Las Vegas landmarks above what is now a large souvenir store.
Description: Riviera (colloquially, "the Riv") was a hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada, which operated from April 1955 to May 2015. The casino was first proposed by Detroit mobster William Bischoff as the Casa Blanca, and received a gaming license in 1952. Bischoff later withdrew from the project, which was taken over by Miami businessman Samuel Cohen. By March 1955, Cohen, identified as a member of Miami's S & G gambling syndicate, was no longer part of the investment group, though rumors persisted that he secretly maintained an involvement. Marx Brothers Harpo and Gummo held minority interests at the opening.
