Greetings from Las Vegas: 1930s-1960s. Postcards document the changes at Fremont & 2nd, which was renamed Casino Center Blvd in the 60s. The four images are from 1932, 1946, 1957, and 1967.
Hoover Dam, April 1935. Rising water in the new lake had not yet reached the base of the dam’s intake towers.
Two captions have been found for this photo:
“They’re Helldoradoing at Boulder - Motor boating on Boulder Lake furnished by Jim Cashman, local Buick dealer and boat operator, some new thrills when he invited a number of his Los Angeles and local friends for a ride. (Union Pacific Photo)” - Review Journal, 4/24/35.
“Something New In Sports at Boulder Lake - Donna Stafford and Eunice Beckley inaugurate aquaplaning on Boulder Lake as Jim Cashman follows them in a motor launch along the lake, which is now more than 50 miles long.” - Acme wirephoto
Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Ref: 0006:2019. “Boulder Lake Reaches Base of Intake Towers.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, 6/24/35.
102° in 1974, original pool at the Plaza Hotel, Fremont & Main, Las Vegas. Slide scan from Nevada Armored Transport.
Cocktail waitress poolside at the Riviera c. 1962
‘62 Lanai rooms in the background, demolished in the 80s. Photo found by Miss Hitsville.
Map of 15 Historic Neon Signs on Las Vegas Blvd PDF
These vintage neon signs were salvaged from former Las Vegas businesses and later refurbished. They are now installed in the median of Las Vegas Blvd between the Strip and the Neon Museum.
Las Vegas Blvd S, April 25, 1974
Pinky Liquor (1238 LVBS), Desert Star Motel (1210), Westwind Motel (1150). Eastward Ho Motel on the right.
Las Vegas Strip, February 1965
Facing north. Castaways ahead, approaching the Sands. Caravan Motor Hotel, right, today’s Casino Royale. Kodachrome, VLV.
Pioneer Club souvenir postcard, 1965. “I was 18 and stationed at the U.S. Naval Administration Unit, Lake Mead” - from Bernie Brendt
Demolition of Fremont & 4th (block 35), 1994
City of Las Vegas acquired the businesses on this block, partly through eminent domain, and demolished everything to make way for the Fremont Street Experience parking garage. Last building standing is Cornet 5-10-15 (401 Fremont). Photo taken from the garage of Fitzgerald’s Hotel & Casino by Roadsidepictures.
Little Willie’s Kosher Kart, c. 1959
“Little Willie” Gordon was selling kosher food at the Stardust pool and in New Frontier’s Cloud 9 lounge from midnight to 6AM. In 1959 he opened his Kosher Kart in the Desert Spa Shopping Center, aka Farmer’s Market on the Strip, corner of Las Vegas Blvd & Convention Center Dr – today’s Gold Key Shops. Stardust Auditorium behind Willie is across the boulevard.
Photo: Las Vegas News Bureau, courtesy of Dennis Connolly.
Alamo Field – forerunner of Harry Reid Int'l Airport (LAS) – undated photos (mid 40s, early 50s).
George Crockett established Alamo Field in Fall ‘42 building the airport on 460 acres. Alamo Airways was operating by early '43. After Clark County purchased Alamo Field, Crockett’s airline continued operating at the airport. Howard Hughes purchased Alamo Airways in '67.
(1) Peg & George Crockett Family Photos (PH-00431), UNLV Special Collections. (2, 3) from LAS Airport. Sources: Break Ground For New Airport In Las Vegas. Review-Journal, 9/7/42. Alamo Airport Is Given U.S. Okeh. Review-Journal, 1/5/43.