The El Cortez celebrates 70 years of classic Las Vegas style

Hard to believe that the El Cortez is 70 years old but the venerable hotel/casino is still going strong and celebrating all year long.

 Opened by J.Kell Houssels in 1941, it was considered to be too far down Fremont Street.  But from the beginning it was successful.  Ben Siegel came to town to muscle in on the race wire at the hotel and with Meyer Lansky, Gus Greenbaum and Moe Sedway  bought the casino from Houssels in the mid-1940s for $600,000.  They didn't hang on to it for long as Siegel was already working on his dream project on the Las Vegas Strip, the Flamingo.  They sold it back to Houssels in 1946 for $766,000.  Houssels bought in famed Los Angeles architect, Wayne McAllister, to do a remodel on the hotel.

In 1963, young Jackie Gaughan, who had come to Las Vegas in 1943 when he was stationed at the old Air Base (that would become Nellis).  He moved his wife Roberta and two sons, Michael and Jackie, jr to Las Vegas in 1951.  He bought a small 3% of the Boulder Club and 3% of the Flamingo with partner Eddie BarrickJackie had a knack for sports books and handicapping.  In 1961, he and partner Mel Exber bought the Las Vegas Club and in 1963, they bought the El CortezGaughan hired Wayne McAllister to oversee the design and construction of a new room tower.

Fremont Street back then was the center of town.  The telephone company and Sears were located across the street, JC Penny's was nearby as was Woolworth's and Skaggs.  People came downtown not only to gamble but to shop.  From the beginning the El Cortez was a hit with not only the tourists but locals as well.

Jackie invented the Fun Book, filled with coupons for free drinks, free slot pulls and two for one dinners.  Like Benny Binion, he had a knack for understanding and treating his customers like kings.

Jackie had his ties in downtown real estate from the beginning.  With Kell Houssels, Sam Boyd and others, they opened the Union Plaza.  Throughout the 1970s and 1980s while the neighborhood around the El Cortez changed and the local businesses that catered to local shopping moved out to the suburbs, the El Cortez never waivered. 

Jackie sold the El Cortez to family members a few years ago but he still lives in the hotel and can still be seen walking through the casino.  The last few years, the hotel has undergone renovation and upgrades from a new air ventilation/filteration system to the Cabana Suites with its great mid-century modern flair, across the street.

As part of the 70 year celebration, the Flame Restaurant is offering Oysters Rockefeller and Hearts of Palms every Tuesday through Thursday for the rest of the year.

So go downtown and help the El Cortez celebrate 70 years of history and enjoy a taste of classic Las Vegas.

Classic Las Vegas circa 1962

Jeff Altman is a film colorist who recently restored family home movies of a family trip to Las Vegas in 1962.

His grandfather captured the neon and marquees of both Fremont Street and the Strip as well as shots of the old train station and more.

For more on Altman, go here.

 

Las Vegas 1962 from Jeff Altman on Vimeo.

FINAL UPDATE: 4th of July Fireworks AND Events Information!

 

Welcome to one of the most comprehensive 4th of July Las Vegas celebrations on the web.  Between now and the holiday weekend, we will be updating this info regularly as information becomes available.

The upcoming July 4th holiday weekend will be a long one, with the 4th falling on a Monday this year.  

If you are traveling to Las Vegas, be sure to check out our new section on Special Hotel and Show Discounts.

Stations Casino has announced that they will have fireworks displays at five casinos, likely the Aliante, Fiesta Rancho, Texas, Red Rock and Green Valley Ranch.

The Hilton Hotel will have a fireworks display.

Let's get started:

JULY 1st: (NEW ADDITION)

Yankee Doodle at the Pool (all ages)
Friday, July 1, 12 to 5pm
Participate in many water games and activities as we celebrate our independence in all city pools!


Baker Pool, 1100 E. St. Louis Ave., (702) 229-1532.
Carlos L. Martinez and Darrio J. Hall Family Pool at Freedom Park, 889 N. Pecos Road.,(702) 229-1755.
Doolittle Pool, 1950 N. J St., (702) 229-6398.
Garside Pool, 300 S. Torrey Pines Dr., (702) 229-6393.
Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road, (702) 229-6309.
Pavilion Center Pool, 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive, (702) 229-1488.


Daily Fee of $1 for ages 4-17; $2 for ages 18-49; $1.50 for ages 50+; free for ages 0-3.

______________________________________________________________

July 2nd:

North Las Vegas 11th Annual Independence Day Jubilee

Includes Fireworks

 

The City of North Las Vegas in its 10th Annual Independence Day Jubilee from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 2nd, at Seastrand Park, 6330 Camino Eldorado.

Come enjoy live entertainment, kid's activities, a spectacular Fireworks display, food and beverage and pay Tribute to our Armed Forces.

The event also includes children’s activities, two sets of live entertainment and food vendors.

For safety reasons, pets, glass bottles, umbrellas and umbrella chairs, fireworks, tents, tables and portable grills are prohibited at this event.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Parking is limited. For more information, call the City’s Special Events Office at (702) 633-2650, or visit the City’s website at www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com .

________________________________________________

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

"Red, White and Tunes"

July 2nd

8:00 -10:00 pm

Kick-off your Independence Day weekend with family-friendly fun and patriotic music as the Springs Preserve hosts Red, White and Tunes, featuring a performance by the UNLV Community Band and barbershop/a cappella quartet Ready or Not.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own small folding chairs to the event. Ice cream, snow cones, hot dogs and other summertime goodies will be available for purchase. Please note: There will be no fireworks show at this event.

_______________________________________________

July 3rd:


Las Vegas 51's Baseball Game

and Fireworks

 
When: July 3rd after the game
Where:Cashman Field
Admission: $14
More info: 702-326-7200

___________________________________________

July 4th: (corrected date)

Summerlin July 4th Parade

The annual Summerlin Patriotic Parade returns July 4th,  from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The parade begins at the corner of Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive in The Trails Village of Summerlin.

Participants travel south toward the Village Center Circle roundabout before heading west on Trailwood Drive.

It usually attracts more than 25,000 people. The event is free.

___________________________________________________

July 3rd:

Thursday, July 3rd:

Annual Night of Fire at the Bullring at

Las Vegas Motor Speedway features

                                              Fireworks, SMRA Supermodifieds

The Bullring, Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s NASCAR-sanctioned 3/8-mile asphalt oval, will kick off the Independence Day holiday weekend on Thursday, July 1, with its annual Night of Fire. The night of family fun features fireworks and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series stock car racing, a jet car and SMRA Supermodifieds.

Spectator gates will open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. Fireworks are tentatively scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
Stock car racing classes include: SMRA Supermodifieds (50 laps), MetroPCS Super Late Models (76 laps), Chargers, Outlaw Enduro Bombers (76 laps), twin Legends Cars features, Bandoleros.

Spectator admission:
Adults: $15.
Senior citizens and military personnel with ID: $12.
Children (6-12): $5.
Family 4-Pak (2 adults and 2 children): $38.
Stockyard (VIP tailgate area in Turns 3 and 4): $149 (includes 4 admission tickets). Stockyard passes are available for purchase by visiting or calling the LVMS Ticket Services Office.


The Bullring's concession stand offers a family-friendly dollar menu, including $1 hot dogs, $1 soda and $1 beer. For more information, please call the LVMS ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or visit www.LVMS.com.

__________________________________________________________

 JULY 3rd: (NEW ADDITION)

 

Lake Las Vegas Independence Day Celebration
Montelago Village at Lake Las Vegas
Sunday, July 3, 2011, 3pm-10pm


Celebrate the 4th of July at Lake Las Vegas!

There will be events all day from 3pm to 8pm
Live DJ, kids games, face painting & a balloon artist. BBQs food will be available for purchase from
Sonrisa Grill, Sunset & Vines & Auld Dubliner.

From 8pm to 9 pm the Henderson Symphony will perform
lakeside. A fireworks show will begin at 9pm.

Admission is free

 

_______________________________________________________________________

July 3rd:

CAESAR'S PALACE ANNOUNCES FIREWORKS SHOW

Caesars Palace announced today that it will have a fireworks show on Sunday, July 3rd.  Show is scheduled to begin at 9:15 pm (Note new time).  UPDATED:  Fireworks will be triggered from the Roman Tower.

_______________________________________

July 3rd: (NEW Addition):

EL Cortez Hotel

CLASSIC CAR SHOW

1:oo - 6:00

The Classic Car Show is featuring more than 60 American-made classic cars, photo opportunities, music by Ryan Whyte Maloney Band and Freddie Eckstein Group, food and other activities will run 1-6 p.m. Sunday at the Jackie Gaughan Parkway at El Cortez, 600 Fremont St. (385-5200).

_________________________________________________

July 3rd: (NEW ADDITION)

SALUTE TO FREEDOM CONCERT,

featuring Mark Wills and Mark Chesnutt,

 8 p.m. Sunday at the Amphitheater at Sunset Station,

1301 W. Sunset Road, Henderson.

The show is for ages 21 and older.

_______________________________________________________


July 2nd-4th:

FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE

July 2nd - 4th

Summer of the '80s Celebration continues

Faux Fireworks Display on the FSE Canopy

 

Colin Hay of Men at Work helps the FSE celebrate the  4th of July weekend on Friday, July 2nd.

  The evening of the 4th of July will also showcase a brilliant virtual fireworks show on the Viva Vision canopy.

________________________________________________________

JULY 2nd - 3rd: (NEW ADDITION)

RED, WHITE and AZURE

The Palazzo's Azure Pool

BBQ

Priced from just $15, the BBQ will feature all your backyard favorites.  The pool will remain open an extra hour until 7 p.m. and DJ entertainment will be provided for party-goers. Cabana and daybed reservations are recommended and may be reserved by calling (702) 767-3742.

___________________________________________________________________________

July 2nd & 4th:

Laughlin, Nevada announces:

When:  July 2nd & July4, the festivities begin just after dusk


Where: Laughlin

How Much: FREE to the public along the Laughlin River walk
 

More Info: 800-227-5245 or 702-298-2214
Enjoyone of the mostspectaular fireworks display in the West choreographed to fabulous patriotic music simulcast on various local radio stations.

________________________________________________________________

July 4th:

 

62nd Annual Boulder City Damboree

When: July 4th
Where: Boulder City
Schedule: Pancake Breakfast - Bicentennial Park - 7am
Parade - Nevada Way - 9am
Damboree Ceremonies and Midway Booths - Broadbent Park- 11am

Fireworks Festivities - Veteran's Memorial Park - 6pm with fireworks at 9:00 followed by live music by Heels Over Head at 9:45.

 
Visit the Boulder Dam Damboree online

_________________________________________________________________________

July 4th:

July 4, 2011
Basic High School Football Field
400 North Palo Verde Drive
Henderson, NV 89015
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION

________________________________________________________

July 4th:

The Stations Casinos Announces that they are offering the largest fireworks show in town!

Monday, July 4th!

  FIREWORKS FUN SCHEDULED FOR 8:45 PM

Continuing its 4th of July tradition, five Station Casinos’ properties will host the largest 4th of July fireworks show in Southern Nevada on Monday, July 4 around 8:45 p.m. for the entire community to enjoy.

The nine-minute fireworks show, named “Station Casinos’ 4th of July Blast” will be in celebration of the nation’s 235th birthday and will be featured at Aliante Station,  Green Valley Ranch Resort,  Fiesta Rancho and  Texas Station as a shared location and Red Rock Resort.

The fireworks show will be produced by Fireworks by the Gruccis of New York, one of the premiere fireworks companies in the world who annually produces the 4th of July fireworks events as well past hotel-casino openings on behalf of Station Casinos.

For guests interested in staying at one of the participating hotel-casinos, Station Casinos now offers a new and exclusive hotel discount program, available only online at www.stationcasinos.com that offers room rate discounts for advance, pre-paid reservations.

_____________________________________________

July 4th:

LAS VEGAS HILTON ANNOUNCES FIREWORKS SHOW

The Las Vegas Hilton announced today that it will have a fireworks show on July 4th.  The fun is set to begin at 9:20 pm

There will be an invitation-only party poolside but the hotel says the best place to view the fireworks will be near the entrance to the Sports Book.

_____________________________________________________________________

July 4th:

Mystic Roots and Fireworks

Mandalay Bay

9:00 pm

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2E0046CADE003873

___________________________________________________________________________

 JULY 4th: (NEW ADDITION)

RIO HOTEL

Sapphire Pool

7:00 - 10:00 pm

Fireworks show, entertainment and a traditional BBQ. Tickets are $50 and reservations may be made by calling (702) 448-6789.

______________________________________________________________________________

Stay tuned, more info coming!!!