El Rancho
**El Rancho Vegas: A Historical Cornerstone of Las Vegas**Established in 1941 by Thomas Hull and Gus Greenbaum, El Rancho Vegas was a pioneering casino that played a pivotal role in the development of Las Vegas as a gambling mecca. The hotel-casino complex featured 60 guest rooms, a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a spacious casino floor.
El Rancho quickly gained fame for its innovative entertainment offerings. In 1945, it hosted the Flamingo Revue, a groundbreaking show that featured nude dancers and lavish costumes. The performances were controversial at the time but attracted a wide audience and helped establish Las Vegas as a destination for adult entertainment.
Over the years, El Rancho played host to numerous celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and Dean Martin. It also hosted boxing matches and other sporting events. However, the casino's fortunes declined in the 1960s due to competition from newer and larger resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.
In 1960, El Rancho was sold to Howard Hughes, who intended to replace it with a massive hotel complex. However, his plans were never realized, and the casino continued to operate for another decade.
On February 20, 1970, El Rancho Vegas closed its doors for the final time. The building was imploded on June 13, 1970, making way for a new Hilton hotel. Today, the site of El Rancho is occupied by the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
El Rancho Vegas remains a significant landmark in Las Vegas history. It was one of the first major casinos in the city and played a pivotal role in establishing Las Vegas as an entertainment destination. The casino's closure marked the end of an era in Las Vegas history, but its legacy continues to this day.
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