Vintage Las Vegas Socks
Description: El Rancho Vegas was a hotel and casino at the north end of the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada. It opened in 1941, as the first resort on the Strip, known then as part of Highway 91. It was located at what is now the southwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue. The El Rancho Vegas was conceived by Thomas Hull, who owned several hotels in California and wanted to expand his operations to Las Vegas. He decided to build his new resort along Highway 91, on desert land located just outside of city limits. Hull intended to target motorists traveling from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, although his remote location was met with skepticism.
Description: The $5 million Hotel Sahara opened on October 7, 1952, with an African Sahara theme. Attendees to the grand opening included Ray Bolger and Gus Greenbaum. It was the sixth resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip. Max Maltzman was the architect, and Ragnar Qvale was the interior designer. The Sahara utilized a modern and simple design. The North African desert theme was conveyed only minimally in the Sahara's architecture. Outside, the only depiction of the theme consisted of fake camels and Arabian people. The interior included statues of Arab guards.
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.
Description: Barbary Coast was a hotel and casino located between the Flamingo and Bally's on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The hotel was owned by Boyd Gaming and was built by Michael Gaughan in 1979. The hotel was closed to be renamed to Bill's Gambling Hall and Saloon. The Barbary Coast was home of Drai's After Hours, a restaurant nightclub that is still open to this day.
