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138-562: El Rancho Hotel may refer to El Rancho Vegas , a demolished hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, operated from 1941 to 1960 El Rancho Hotel and Casino , another demolished property on the Strip, operated from 1982 to 1992 El Rancho Hotel & Motel a National Historic Site in Gallup, New Mexico El Rancho Hotel Haiti Topics referred to by

276-578: A marijuana conviction originating in Texas was rejected by the US Supreme Court . The El Rancho Vegas was a popular hangout for celebrities, and several notable individuals were married at the resort, including Joan Blondell and Mike Todd (1947), Marion Davies and Horace Brown (1951), Hal March and Candy Toxton (1956), Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé (1957), and Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward (1958). Some performers also lived on

414-493: A sportsbook would be added. A high-rise hotel building had also been planned, along with the enlargement of the coffee shop and keno lounge. Riddle's target clientele included local residents and tourists both looking for cheap food and "loose" slots. Riddle believed that the local market had been forgotten over the years as the Thunderbird continued to change ownership. The name change took effect on January 1, 1977, and

552-563: A writ of attachment against the resort, in an attempt to recover nearly $ 400,000 that he had invested into it. Aronoff said that he wanted to withdraw from the partnership because the resort was losing money, while Katleman said that Aronoff had brought on undesirable partners who would not be satisfactory to the Nevada Gaming Control Board . The case was soon settled, and the casino reopened on February 18, 1959. However, Katleman later sued Aronoff for financial losses caused by

690-473: A $ 1.5 million renovation that would include alterations to the facade. One of the Thunderbird statues was replaced by a larger version, and 400 feet of neon signage was added across the front of the building, spelling out the "Thunderbird" name with letters standing two stories tall. The renovation project also included the expansion of the casino, restaurants, and shops, and the construction of an Olympic-size swimming pool . Del E. Webb Construction Company handled

828-502: A 2,000-room hotel, a casino, and a shopping complex. The Thunderbird would continue operations until the near-completion of the Mark Anthony. At the end of 1972, Caesars World planned approximately $ 500,000 in renovation work for the Thunderbird, believing it could bring in a profit before its planned demolition about two years later. The Thunderbird was operated by a Caesars World subsidiary called Paradise Road Hotel Corporation. After

966-416: A 50-foot neon windmill, and advertisements encouraged visitors to "stop at the sign of the windmill". The casino, considered small by later standards, offered four table games : two blackjack tables, one roulette table, and one craps table—and seventy slot machines . The resort had 65 rooms, which included kitchen facilities. The rooms were housed in duplex and fourplex cottages scattered around

1104-525: A 50-percent partner and would invest in the resort and its expansion. Katleman would remain as the El Rancho's manager. At the time, the hotel had 211 rooms. Katleman was optimistic about the resort's future because of the imminent opening of the Las Vegas Convention Center nearby. The El Rancho's casino was closed on February 16, 1959, for the first time in its history, after Aronoff filed

1242-587: A San Diego businessman, and Clayton Smith, a Los Angeles hotel man. In 1945, Clark partnered with two California businessmen, Joseph and Walter Guzzardi; they would operate the hotel and restaurant portions, while Clark would continue operating the casino. Later that year, Clark accused the Guzzardis of mishandling the resort's finances. As a result, Clark had the El Rancho Vegas placed into receivership , with approval by judge George E. Marshall. In response,

1380-518: A buyer on the lease. Ed Torres subsequently purchased the Silverbird and reopened it as the El Rancho on August 31, 1982. The resort featured a western theme and was named after the original El Rancho Vegas across the street. Torres added a 13-story hotel tower in 1988. The El Rancho closed on July 6, 1992, unable to compete with newer mega-resorts. It sat vacant for the next eight years while two companies made several failed attempts to reopen or replace

1518-474: A controlling interest in a Haitian casino. The tax commission had adopted a new regulation that prohibited Nevada gaming operators from owning interest in out-of-state casinos. Although Jones was no longer involved in the Thunderbird's gaming operations, he still maintained his ownership stake in the resort. The casino was closed in December 1960, for remodeling. In May 1961, a group of businessmen agreed to lease

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1656-508: A country-themed shopping mall and a rodeo production facility to the new resort. Construction of the new hotel towers was delayed because of a lack of financing. In October 1994, LVEN received $ 35 million from a Dallas investment bank for construction of the towers. At that time, LVEN also planned to launch the Las Vegas Country Television Network, which would have featured country-western entertainment and other shows on

1794-405: A flat tire in the desert, about a couple miles away from downtown Las Vegas . He stayed behind and waited while an associate went to get help. To pass the time, Hull started counting the cars that drove along the highway, quickly realizing that it presented a perfect location for his new hotel. In addition, Hull had been waiting in the heat and reportedly said, "What I wouldn't give to jump into

1932-471: A global search, Caesars World was unable to find financing for the $ 150 million Mark Anthony project, and its cancellation was announced in June 1975. Caesars World initially stated that there was no intention of selling the Thunderbird, and that there were several plans in consideration for the property. In 1976, Caesars World announced that it would sell the Thunderbird for $ 9 million to Tiger Investment Company,

2070-403: A group of Las Vegas bankers that included E. Parry Thomas . At the time, the hotel had 460 rooms. Joan Louise Siegel, a Las Vegas resident, filed a suit to block the sale. During 1975, she had made two offers to purchase the Thunderbird for $ 20 million, but was told that the resort was not for sale. A district court judge dismissed the suit, stating that Caesars World had no obligation to sell

2208-475: A growing tourist demographic in Las Vegas. A new poker parlor was also added, but the planned hotel tower did not begin construction until several years later. The renovated resort was again designed by Stern, and it employed 1,400 people. The resort's 13-story hotel tower began construction in 1987, and was completed the following year, adding 580 rooms. The El Rancho struggled in its final years because of

2346-437: A main casino building with restaurants and a theater, surrounded by lodging facilities. Architect Alan Hess later wrote that the El Rancho "set the pattern of the large highway resort hotel. With its opening, the builders of Las Vegas varied the motel archetype a bit: the sign was expanded, the lobby was enlarged to include a casino, and the room wings were surrounded by recreational facilities and lush planting. A bigger budget,

2484-448: A new 500-seat buffet, one of the largest in Las Vegas. Joe's Oyster Bar was also expanded, and the resort's showroom was renovated as well. Fifty-five hotel rooms were demolished to make room for the casino expansion, and other rooms were renovated. The hotel was reduced to 385 rooms. In August 1977, a fire occurred in the hotel's four-story building, forcing the evacuation of its guests. A cigarette had been left behind by hotel guests in

2622-435: A pool!" This further prompted his desire to build a resort along the barren highway, although local residents were skeptical of his chosen site because of its remoteness. The property was located at what would later become the southwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue , an area that would mark the northern end of the future Las Vegas Strip . The land was just outside of Las Vegas, allowing Hull to avoid

2760-513: A potential purchase. The new group included Jake Katleman, who served as the casino manager, and was the principal stockholder in the El Rancho Vegas. Katleman was known to be superstitious and would sprinkle salt around gaming tables that lost money. Jake's nephew, Beldon Katleman , booked most of the El Rancho's entertainment. In June 1950, Jake Katleman died from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident. A month after his death, plans were announced for an expansion and remodeling of

2898-435: A second-floor room, catching a mattress on fire. The Silverbird suffered a two-alarm fire on March 3, 1981, when an arsonist lit up a dressing room under the showroom stage. The hotel was evacuated with no injuries, and only minimal damage was caused. However, 14 fire trucks responded because it was the third fire in four months to occur at local resorts. Riddle died in 1980, and the Silverbird, along with his other casinos,

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3036-500: A sister property to deal with overflow guests of the Thunderbird. In its early years, the Thunderbird served as a popular meeting place for local politicians. In October 1954, articles in the Las Vegas Sun alleged that Jake and Meyer Lansky , both underworld Mafia figures, held hidden shares in the hotel. A state investigation was soon launched to determine whether the reports were true. The Thunderbird's complex ownership setup

3174-416: A slightly different program but a motel nonetheless." El Rancho Vegas was the first resort to be built on the Las Vegas Strip, still known then as part of Highway 91. Hull and the El Rancho are credited with the creation of the Strip, as the property's unexpected success prompted other developers to open resorts in the vicinity, eventually transforming Highway 91 into the Strip. Such resorts would re-use

3312-399: A success. The show was initially only signed for a few weeks, but ultimately ran for nearly a year before being replaced by South Pacific . Flower Drum Song had attracted more than 360,000 people over the course of its run, and South Pacific was also well received. South Pacific closed in 1963, and was replaced by a summer engagement of Flower Drum Song , marking its return to

3450-463: A suit for $ 100,000 in damages, saying that she too was detained after arriving at the resort with $ 400 to have her husband released. A jury eventually ruled in Katleman's favor. In 1953, Douglas was hired again to enlarge the casino's dinner theater, as part of a $ 3 million modernization of the resort. Katleman had the western theme replaced with more of a French provincial style. The Round-Up Room

3588-449: A third run in 1969. In 1972, the Thunderbird launched Geisha'rella , a topless revue of Japanese women. In the mid-1970s, the resort hosted entertainers such as Cyd Charisse , Keely Smith , and Tony Martin . Redd Foxx was also a frequent performer, and he held his third wedding at the resort in 1976. A year later, the Silverbird launched a show titled Playgirls on Ice '77 . The Continental Theatre had seating for 620 people at

3726-529: A three-eighths mile track, operated along Paradise Valley Road . It was successful, prompting relocation to a larger site in 1964. The new Thunderbird Downs was situated across the street, on property owned by Joe W. Brown that was previously used for the Las Vegas Park . In 1965, the Brown family sold the land. The Thunderbird Downs track was closed that November, and was demolished in early 1966, replaced by

3864-464: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages El Rancho Vegas The El Rancho Vegas was designed by Wayne McAllister , and originally included 65 rooms, located in cottage bungalows spread across the hotel's property. The El Rancho opened on April 3, 1941, with an Old West theme. It proved to be a success, which prompted the opening of other resorts on Highway 91, eventually transforming it into

4002-571: Is located in Pahrump, Nevada , where it serves as a duplex under the name El Rancho Gardens. This building was added to the Nevada State Register of Historic Places in 1998. Aside from the cottages, 14 Washingtonia palm trees were also relocated in 1978, to the newly renovated Desert Inn resort nearby. The El Rancho Vegas property was vacant as of 1979, and the site remained undeveloped for decades. Several projects were proposed for

4140-683: The El Cortez hotel-casino, which opened in downtown Las Vegas in 1941. Joe Wells, the father of actress Dawn Wells , was also a partner in the Thunderbird. The hotel project, originally known as the Nevada Ambassador, was announced in March 1946. It was to cost $ 1 million, and would be built on Highway 91 in the Las Vegas Valley , on what would later become the Las Vegas Strip . Construction

4278-599: The Las Vegas Country Club . Thunderbird Downs was successful during its two-year run. In September 1964, the Del E. Webb Corporation announced plans to purchase the Thunderbird from Wells and Jones through its subsidiary, Sahara-Nevada Corporation, which owned the nearby Sahara resort. The sale price was $ 9.5 million, and the purchase was approved by the state in January 1965. Two months later, plans were announced for

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4416-619: The Thunderbird and Silverbird ) was a hotel and casino that operated on the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada . It originally opened on September 2, 1948, as the Navajo -themed Thunderbird. At the time, it was owned by building developer Marion Hicks and Lieutenant Governor of Nevada Clifford A. Jones . A sister property, the Algiers Hotel , was opened south of the Thunderbird in 1953. During

4554-485: The Turnberry Place condominium towers on the site, located directly east of the El Rancho. By June 1999, a partner company of LVEN was considering a purchase of the El Rancho, with plans to renovate it at a cost of $ 354 million. Ultimately, the sale did not proceed. In the years that it sat vacant, the El Rancho had come to be widely considered as the city's worst eyesore. In 1999, local news channel KVBC News 3

4692-693: The Will Mastin Trio , Sunny Skylar , and The Williams Brothers . Gloria Dea entertained at the El Rancho in May 1941, becoming the first magician to perform on the Strip. During the 1940s, the resort also featured a female group known as the El Rancho Starlets, which gave nightly performances. In 1949, the casino featured the George Moro Dancers, which consisted of female dancers dressed as dice. Shirley Bassey made her American stage debut at

4830-458: The early 1990s recession , as well as competition from newly opened mega resorts in Las Vegas, specifically The Mirage (1989) and the Excalibur (1990). The latter took away some of the middle-class gamblers that the El Rancho had relied upon. Torres announced in May 1992 that the resort would close in two months, giving workers a mandated 60-day notice. At the time, Torres had been trying to sell

4968-492: The 13-story hotel tower, was imploded on October 3, 2000. The former property of the El Rancho and Algiers later became the site of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort, which began construction in 2007 and opened on December 13, 2023, after delays. The resort originally opened as the Thunderbird, owned by building developer Marion Hicks and Lieutenant Governor of Nevada Clifford A. Jones . Hicks had previously built

5106-424: The 1950s. On June 17, 1960, a fire destroyed the El Rancho's main building, which housed the casino, restaurants, and showroom. The cause of the fire was never determined. The El Rancho closed as a result of the incident, although the cottages were left unharmed, leaving 222 rooms intact. In the early 1960s, the Thunderbird resort, located across the street, leased 88 of the El Rancho's rooms and operated them under

5244-463: The American Federation of Gaming and Casino Employes, alleged that Sahara and Thunderbird workers were harassed by management after trying to organize into a union. Table game dealers also filed a $ 100,000 lawsuit against the Thunderbird, alleging that the resort refused to pay them overtime wages. Picketing also took place in front of the Thunderbird, accusing the resort of antisemitism after

5382-450: The El Rancho Vegas in 1957. Following a new Las Vegas trend, the El Rancho added nude showgirls in 1958, but soon removed them after criticism from religious leaders. Katleman said that showgirls would be covered from that point forward. He revived the nude concept in 1959, when he added a Parisian show called La Nouvelle Eve . Shortly thereafter, Katleman ended the show and added a similar replacement called La Nou Eve . Rene Bardy,

5520-464: The El Rancho and construct Starship Orion , a $ 1 billion hotel, casino, entertainment and retail complex with an outer space theme, covering 5.4 million square feet. The resort was to include seven separately owned casinos, with each one being approximately 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m ). Individual partners would each contribute up to $ 100 million to own and operate a casino within the complex. Orion Casino Corporation would own and operate one of

5658-436: The El Rancho as its broadcasting location. KENO operated on the site for the remainder of the 1940s. The El Rancho Vegas underwent several ownership changes. In July 1943, Hull sold the resort – along with the housing project located directly north – to Joseph W. Drown. Hull had found it difficult to operate the resort from his hometown of Los Angeles. In June 1944, Drown sold the resort for $ 1.2 million to Wilbur Clark ,

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5796-531: The El Rancho's concept of a central casino building. The Strip's second resort, the Hotel Last Frontier , opened in 1942. During World War II, the establishment of the Las Vegas Army Airfield and a nearby magnesium plant helped contribute to the El Rancho's success. Shortly after the opening, Hull announced plans for an adjacent housing community. This consisted of cottage homes, built by

5934-461: The El Rancho. Beldon Katleman took over operations at the end of the year, after buying out the interests of other partners who did not share his vision for resort improvements. In 1951, Katleman began remodeling the El Rancho Vegas and updating its ambiance, with designer Tom Douglas in charge of the renovations. In 1952, three stockholders in the resort filed a federal suit, alleging that majority holders such as Beldon Katleman did not acknowledge

6072-409: The Guzzardis filed a suit against Clark, alleging malicious prosecution with the intent of defrauding them. They alleged that placing the resort into receivership was done in order to make the mortgage payment come due. The Guzzardis ultimately had to sell their shares to Drown at a steep loss. They also alleged that Marshall was a close friend of Clark, and that his gambling debt at the El Rancho Vegas

6210-405: The Las Vegas Strip. In January 1996, Orion Casino Corporation purchased the El Rancho from LVEN for $ 43.5 million. Orion Casino Corporation was a newly formed Nevada subsidiary of International Thoroughbred Breeders (ITB), a New Jersey racetrack operator founded by Robert E. Brennan , who had previously organized a penny stock scheme. A month after the purchase, ITB announced plans to demolish

6348-529: The Las Vegas Strip. The El Rancho underwent several ownership changes and was leased in 1948 to a group that included Jake Katleman. When he died in 1950, his nephew, Beldon Katleman , took over ownership. The El Rancho added an all-you-can-eat buffet in the 1940s, popularizing the buffet concept in Las Vegas. The El Rancho property was also home to the KENO radio station in the 1940s, and the KSHO-TV television station in

6486-503: The Las Vegas project to resemble a scaled-down version of Tijuana's Aqua Caliente resort, which McAllister had also designed. Unable to raise the financing for this project, Hull had McAllister design a smaller resort. Hull was not a gambler, and he initially had no plans to add a casino, until his Las Vegas friends convinced him to do so. The final project was financed mostly by the First National Bank of Las Vegas. Construction

6624-505: The Nevada supreme court ruled that there was not sufficient evidence to revoke the Thunderbird gaming license. The court also ruled that Brown had acted in error, stating that casino owners shall not be entitled to continue operations under a district court injunction while they are appealing decisions by the tax commission. The commission chose not to pursue the matter any further. Jones disposed of his gaming license in 1958, after purchasing

6762-474: The Opera House. From there, it spread rapidly and destroyed dressing rooms, a restaurant, and several stores in the pool area. Betty Grable and Harry James were entertaining in the lounge when the fire broke out. Two dozen people fled the fire. Singer Pearl Bailey , along with comedians Phil Ford and Mimi Hines , crashed her vehicle into a tree while they were attempting to escape the fire; Ford then led

6900-689: The Silver Bird (later spelled "Silverbird" ), consistent with two other casinos he owned in Las Vegas: the Silver Nugget and the Silver City Casino . At the time, the Thunderbird employed 500 people. Riddle planned a renovation of the resort, and had initially wanted to close the casino for the remodeling, before deciding to keep it open. The casino would be enlarged from 18,000 sq ft (1,700 m ) to 53,000 sq ft (4,900 m ), and

7038-466: The Thunderbird and issued a permanent injunction against the tax commission, while stating that the commission should create and publish clear guidelines declaring what is required by casino licensees. He stated that any licensee "is surely entitled to know what is expected of him under the license obtained, and not be subject to annihilation upon an order of the commission based upon no substantial evidence in support of an alleged violation." Brown wrote that

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7176-555: The Thunderbird and surrounding acreage for $ 13.5 million to Caesars World , owner of the Caesars Palace resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The sale was approved later that year. Caesars World planned to build a new resort, the Mark Anthony, on the newly acquired property. The project was named after the Roman politician and general Mark Antony , and the resort would have served as a companion to Caesars Palace. The Mark Anthony would include

7314-526: The Thunderbird and were released in 1963: Caught in the Act, Vol. 2 by Frances Faye , and At The Las Vegas Thunderbird by Gloria Lynne . The Thunderbird offered numerous shows throughout its history. In the late 1950s, The Kim Sisters were among 35 cast members who performed in the resort's China Doll Revue . In 1959, the Thunderbird launched a partially nude ice show known as Ecstasy on Ice . Flower Drum Song opened in December 1961, and proved to be

7452-461: The Thunderbird decreased following the Del Webb purchase and subsequent sales. In January 1967, Del Webb announced the sale of the Thunderbird for $ 13 million, to a group of businessmen known as Lance Inc. The state approved the sale three months later. At the end of 1967, Lance Inc. defaulted on its payments to Del Webb, and Consolidated Casinos was granted temporary approval by the state to take over

7590-501: The Thunderbird from Hicks after he was hospitalized. Hicks had been battling cancer for two years and owned 72 percent of the Thunderbird stock. The new group included Sid Wyman and two other men who had all previously been involved with the Riviera resort nearby. Plans to lease the Thunderbird were canceled in August 1961, as Hicks regained his health and wanted to maintain his control of

7728-399: The Thunderbird theatre. The show's run was again extended, until the end of 1963, followed by the launch of Ziegfeld Follies in 1964. Two years later, the resort's Continental Theatre hosted Bottoms Up , becoming the only afternoon entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip. The Thunderbird later hosted Thoroughly Modern Minsky , a show by Harold Minsky . Flower Drum Song returned for

7866-568: The Thunderbird was ordered to show cause at a future hearing as to why its gaming license should not be revoked or suspended. The investigation continued into 1955, and another tax commission hearing was held that February, during which Jones criticized Greenspun. According to Jones, Greenspun was upset that the Thunderbird would not advertise in the Las Vegas Sun . Jones said that Greenspun had made repeated threats to run Hicks and himself out of town with his newspaper. During construction of

8004-536: The Thunderbird within two months. Otherwise, the resort's gaming license would be suspended. It was the first time in Nevada history that such strict action had been taken against a major casino operation. It was part of an effort by the state to prevent underworld involvement in gambling. In May 1955, the Dallas-based Southwest Securities Company expressed interest in leasing the Thunderbird, although this did not come to fruition. Later in

8142-510: The Thunderbird, Hicks had received a loan from George Sadlo, a business associate of the Lanskys. Sadlo later assigned half of the loan to Jake Lansky, without informing Hicks. The investigation revealed that Hicks had made interest payments to Jake Lansky from 1951 to 1954. The loan was perceived by the tax commission as a hidden interest in the Thunderbird. On April 1, 1955, the commission ruled that Hicks and Jones had to dispose of their interest in

8280-417: The Thunderbird. In January 1968, Lance Inc. sought refinancing to take over the Thunderbird once again. The company owed an estimated $ 10 million to $ 14 million in debt, and a payment plan for its creditors was submitted. However, later that year, the company lost its battle to regain control of the Thunderbird, leaving it in Del Webb's ownership. In July 1972, it was announced that Del Webb would sell

8418-525: The appearance of an oasis in the desert. The El Rancho Vegas offered a vacation experience to its guests. Formal clothing was not required at the resort. According to the Los Angeles Times , the El Rancho Vegas "combines the charm and open-handed hospitality of the Old West with the convenience of today". The El Rancho was considered a combination casino/ motor court / dude ranch . The Old West theme

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8556-429: The case in 1970, after Hughes agreed to pay $ 8.5 million for the property. The cottages were then used as warehouse storage before being demolished, although some were relocated and preserved. In September 1975, one of the last remaining buildings was removed from the property. In mid-1978, three more buildings were moved to Old Vegas , an Old West amusement park outside of Henderson, Nevada . Another structure

8694-470: The casino closure, and Aronoff threatened to file another writ. A judge eventually ruled in Aronoff's favor on June 15, 1960, saying that Katleman still owed him $ 240,000. Around 4:30 a.m. on June 17, 1960, a fire broke out in the El Rancho's main building, which contained the casino, offices, buffet, lounge, steakhouse, and the Opera House dining room and showroom. The fire began in a kitchen located next to

8832-508: The city's taxes, and it was also cheaper than sites located within the city. The property was owned by Jessie Hunt, who had tried for years to sell it, but had no luck because it was viewed as an undesirable location. Hull purchased the site and hired architect Wayne McAllister to design the new resort. They had previously worked together on a renovation of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel , one of Hull's properties. Hull wanted

8970-470: The closure, stating that there were years of disinterest and lack of promotion on his part. At the time of its closure, the El Rancho occupied 20 acres. It had a 90,000 sq ft (8,400 m ) casino, 1,007 hotel rooms, and four restaurants. The adjacent Algiers Hotel continued to operate for the next 12 years. By August 1993, Las Vegas Entertainment Network Inc. (LVEN), a Los Angeles -based television production company, had plans to redevelop

9108-453: The company. SunAmerica , the prospective underwriter for Countryland USA, subsequently chose not to proceed with its $ 100 million investment, out of concerns over the project and management. Ultimately, ITB stated that it was unable to raise financing for Countryland USA. At the end of 1997, Turnberry Associates purchased the 15-acre parcel behind the El Rancho, where Thunderbird Downs had previously operated. The company began developing

9246-452: The creator of La Nouvelle Eve , later sued Katleman. The suit alleged that Katleman conspired to get Bardy terminated, and that Katleman then added the cheaper replacement show to profit off of Bardy's reputation while saving money. Bardy eventually won his case against Katleman. Stripper Candy Barr was headlining at El Rancho Vegas in 1959 when she was arrested by the FBI after her appeal on

9384-423: The evening of April 3, 1941. Bankers, businessmen, and other people from California and Nevada attended the grand opening, along with acting couple Rex Bell and Clara Bow . Work on the resort was still ongoing at the time of the opening, with full completion expected in six to eight weeks, in time for the busy tourist season. Landscaping was among the finishing touches, with grass and trees being planted to give

9522-567: The father of swimmer Dara Torres . Ed Torres knew notorious crime members such as Meyer Lansky and Vincent Alo , but this did not restrict him from acquiring a gaming license for the Silverbird property. Torres' $ 25 million purchase was approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission in April 1982. Torres spent another $ 25 million to renovate the property before reopening it as the El Rancho on August 31, 1982. More than 1,000 people attended

9660-416: The fire and closure. Immediately after the incident, Katleman was considering multiple options for reopening the resort. One possibility was to house the facilities in a giant tent. It was later reported that Katleman wanted to rebuild the El Rancho with a grander style than before. In 1962, Katleman said that he had raised the money necessary to construct a 31-story version of El Rancho Vegas, making it among

9798-442: The fire. Four firemen were injured. Approximately 500,000 gallons of water were used, and the fire was under control by 9:15 a.m. There were no deaths or injuries, but the main building – made of wood – had been destroyed within an hour, and the resort was closed. The fire caused up to $ 5 million in damages, leaving the building as a blackened ruin. The fire also destroyed $ 427,000 in cash. The hotel cottages were undamaged, with

9936-451: The firing of a Jewish table game dealer, Howard Bock. Consolidated Casinos Corporation said Bock was fired because he dumped food on another dealer's head. Hanley alleged that Bock was fired because he was Jewish, and said that Bock was harassed by the other dealer because of his ethnicity. Hanley's attempt to unionize the Thunderbird and other casinos was defeated later in 1966, during a National Labor Relations Board election. Business at

10074-427: The government as recreational space for military personnel returning overseas during World War II. These homes were eventually sold to the El Rancho Vegas after the war ended. At the end of 1941, Hull had the radio station KENO relocated to the northeastern end of the El Rancho property, where it occupied more than an acre of land. He allowed the station to operate rent-free on the condition that it regularly promote

10212-456: The group had difficulty raising money to build the project, and it never materialized. In 2000, Hilton Grand Vacations announced plans to build a timeshare building on part of the property. The Hilton Grand Vacations Club would eventually open in 2004, on 10 acres located at the southern edge of the El Rancho property. Meanwhile, Bennett started marketing the remaining 26 acres again in 2000, with an asking price of $ 65 million. He pulled

10350-415: The implosion, in order to minimize the number of spectators. Police officers were brought on to keep crowds at a safe distance. The Algiers Hotel was covered in plastic to protect it against dust from the implosion, and it did not have any hotel guests at the time. Site cleanup for the demolition debris was expected to take two months. Approximately 10,000 pounds of concrete from the demolished resort

10488-452: The interior of a ship, and fresh oysters were flown in to the restaurant daily from New Orleans. The four-story addition, with 205 rooms, was opened in November 1963. The expansion project was also supposed to include a skyscraper hotel building, approximately 17 stories with 350 rooms, to be built on the site of the hotel's pool area. It was to open in 1964, but it never materialized. Wells

10626-512: The local building and fire departments, as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration . In addition, LVEN was subsequently investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for alleged stock scams and investor fraud. In February 2000, Turnberry Associates acquired a six-month option to purchase the El Rancho from ITB. Two months later, Turnberry agreed to

10764-401: The mid-1950s, the state carried out an investigation to determine whether underworld Mafia figures held hidden interests in the resort. Hicks and Jones ultimately prevailed and kept their gaming licenses . Hicks died in 1961, and his position as managing director was taken over by Joe Wells, another partner in the resort. Wells added a horse racing track known as Thunderbird Downs, located behind

10902-496: The month, Hicks and Jones won a temporary restraining order that blocked their ouster from the resort. The court action was filed on behalf of Thunderbird stockholders, including Hicks, Jones, and Wells. The Thunderbird continued to operate while both sides prepared for a legal battle over a permanent injunction . Final arguments were underway in October 1955, as attorneys for the Thunderbird questioned current and former employees of

11040-405: The monthly costs to approximately $ 500,000. Bob Stupak was among those who bid on the Silverbird, but no one bid the minimum amount. Eddy King, the chairman of record promotion company Star Makers Unlimited, offered the highest bid at $ 3.5 million. Last-minute efforts to negotiate a deal with King did not work out. As a result of the failed auction, the Silverbird was closed on December 3, 1981, at

11178-491: The name Thunderbird West. The cottages were then leased in 1964 to another company, which rebranded them as El Rancho Vegas Motor Inn. It struggled as a non-gaming motel, and Katleman put the property up for sale in the late 1960s, eventually selling it to businessman Howard Hughes in 1970. Most of the remaining bungalows were demolished by the end of the decade, although a few were relocated to Old Vegas , an amusement park near Henderson, Nevada . Another El Rancho guest bungalow

11316-468: The nation's "ideal western hotel". At the time, the casino floor featured "the only gambling horse in the world." The horse, named Lucky Silver, would nudge chips into place on a roulette table. Adler's lease ended in 1948, and Drown leased the El Rancho Vegas to a different group later that year, giving them the ability to purchase the resort at the end of a 10-year lease. Adler threatened legal action, arguing that he should have been first in line for

11454-494: The nearest ones being 150 feet away from the main building. The hotel had 222 rooms. Three hours before the fire started, an unidentified man had asked casino executives about another fire that had occurred on the property two years earlier, resulting only in blackened damage to a room. The man was initially considered an arson suspect in the 1960 fire. Ultimately, the cause of the fire was never determined. The El Rancho Vegas had 400 employees who were put out of work because of

11592-457: The news team. While most of the structures were decomposing, another section of the El Rancho was found to have been renovated with working slot machines, which had been lent to the owners by Bally Gaming three years earlier to showcase to potential investors for the Countryland USA project. After the investigation aired, the property's owners were fined for health and safety violations by

11730-452: The opening. The resort was named after the original El Rancho Vegas. Like the earlier resort, the new El Rancho featured a western theme, including a facade of old-western town buildings. The new resort had a wooden interior accompanied by American Indian items, chandeliers, buffalo trophy heads, and western paintings. Torres also added a 52-lane bowling alley. The western theme and bowling alley were part of an effort to attract families,

11868-453: The order of a federal bankruptcy judge. The closure affected approximately 850 employees. Two weeks after its closure, Ed Torres announced plans to purchase the Silverbird and its property from Tiger Investment. He intended to renovate the resort and reopen it by May 1982, and planned to add a hotel tower. Torres was the owner of the Aladdin hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip, and was also

12006-414: The project was canceled because of a lack of financing. The Thunderbird was sold to Tiger Investment Company, which leased it to Major Riddle starting in 1977. Riddle renovated and expanded the resort, and renamed it as the Silverbird, hoping to reinvigorate it. After Riddle's death in 1980, the Silverbird was taken over by his estate. The resort closed on December 3, 1981, after an auction failed to produce

12144-630: The project was later canceled. The site of the El Rancho and Algiers was later used for the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort, which began construction in 2007. The resort opened on December 13, 2023, following construction delays. Patti Page 's first Las Vegas performance took place at the Thunderbird in 1948. Nat King Cole was also a frequent entertainer at the Thunderbird. Other notable performers included Donald O'Connor , Mel Tormé , Rosemary Clooney , James Melton , Bunny Briggs , Rex Allen , Henny Youngman , Margaret Whiting , Peggy Lee , and Judy Garland . Two albums were recorded at

12282-587: The property at that time. ITB and LVEN subsequently got into a dispute regarding control of the El Rancho. In addition, Brennan was ordered by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission to sell his shares of ITB, as he had been fined $ 71.5 million for securities fraud in 1995. In January 1997, Brennan sold his interest in ITB to New Mexico businessman Nunzio DeSantis and former politician Tony Coelho , who were unable to make any progress on plans for

12420-444: The property from Summa Corporation later that year, for $ 40 million. It was one of the last large, undeveloped parcels left on the Las Vegas Strip. Bennett planned to eventually develop the site, but was occupied in the meantime with renovations at his newly acquired Sahara resort. Some preliminary foundation work had already begun for the sports park when Bennett canceled the company's lease. Representatives for Hassanal Bolkiah ,

12558-436: The property in 1965, joining the motel. El Rancho Vegas struggled financially as a non-gaming motel, leading Katleman to put it up for sale in the late 1960s. Businessman Howard Hughes negotiated a $ 7.5 million deal to buy the property, and Katleman initially agreed before later raising the purchase price. A two-year court battle began in 1968 as Hughes and Katleman fought over the initial purchase agreement. They settled

12696-452: The property off the market in 2002, believing that its value would increase further in the years to come, as the north Las Vegas Strip was expected to see new development. Bennett died later in 2002, and the property was sold to MGM Mirage in 2007. The company, partnered with Kerzner International Resorts and Dubai World , planned to build a mixed-use development project with hotels and a casino, similar to MGM's CityCenter . Construction

12834-478: The property's roadside sign would be updated to reflect the new name, before being replaced entirely with a new sign the following year. Riddle changed the name of the resort because he believed that "Thunderbird" had become synonymous with "poor food and tight slot machines." Riddle leased the Silverbird from Tiger Investment, and operated it through his company, NLV Corporation. The renovation and expansion project took place throughout 1977. The expansion included

12972-504: The property, including Lewis and numerous showgirls. The El Rancho Vegas is featured in the 1955 film Las Vegas Shakedown . A replica of the resort was built in Lancaster, California , as a filming location for the 1991 film The Marrying Man . An NBC Television Special from 1959 titled The Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special also featured the hotel. El Rancho Hotel and Casino The El Rancho Hotel and Casino (formerly known as

13110-484: The property. ITB had plans for a $ 100 million renovation of the El Rancho, which they planned to reopen as Countryland USA . The new resort would have included a 1,700-room hotel and a 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m ) casino. In February 1997, ITB and LVEN settled their dispute, while the resort was expected to reopen in the first quarter of 1998. However, Coelho and DeSantis feuded with ITB board members who allegedly were trying to help Brennan retain control of

13248-531: The property. The one-story cottages were made of wood, and they resembled a residential subdivision, with private lawns and porches, and paved streets. The El Rancho Vegas also offered the Stage Door Steak House, the Nugget Nell lounge, a barbershop, a health club, and retailers such as clothing stores. For its high rollers , the casino offered yacht rides on Lake Mead . Although the El Rancho

13386-422: The purchase with plans to demolish the El Rancho. Turnberry considered the resort an eyesore and wanted to remove it for future residents of Turnberry Place ahead of its opening. The sale was finalized in May 2000, at a cost of $ 45 million. Turnberry considered eventually building a hotel-casino or timeshares on the El Rancho property. A sale of the El Rancho's contents was held beginning on June 1, 2000, but

13524-544: The remaining acreage in 2007, and eventually opened its Festival Grounds on the property in 2015. The Thunderbird was eventually renamed as the El Rancho Hotel and Casino in 1982, after the original El Rancho resort. Thomas Hull operated several California lodging establishments in the 1930s, including two motel properties that used the "El Rancho" name. In 1938, he decided to expand his operations to Las Vegas . While traveling along Highway 91 , Hull's vehicle got

13662-528: The renovations, and Martin Stern Jr. was the architect. The new pool was the largest in Nevada, containing 360,000 gallons of water. The Thunderbird's convention and hotel facilities often handled overflow customers from the Sahara resort. During 1965, a minority stockholder in the Thunderbird sued Wells, Jones, and others over a dispute regarding the Del Webb purchase. In 1966, Tom Hanley's union organization,

13800-460: The resort and reopen it in 1994 as El Rancho's Countryland USA. The new resort would have included a family-oriented theme park with country-style entertainment and attractions. LVEN also planned to construct two 20-story hotel towers meant to resemble a gigantic pair of Western-style boots. The new towers would have brought the El Rancho up to a total of 2,001 hotel rooms. Harry Wald , the former president and chief operating officer of Caesars Palace,

13938-507: The resort for $ 25–30 million, but was unsuccessful. The closure announcement came after the Culinary Workers Union voted against Torres' request for concessions. The El Rancho also owed gaming taxes for its 918 slot machines. The bowling alley, sportsbook, and slot machines were shut down on June 30, 1992, and the rest of the resort ceased operations on July 6, 1992. The closure affected 324 employees. Workers blamed Torres for

14076-401: The resort to Siegel. Tiger Investment completed its purchase later in 1976. The sale agreement involved a leaseback , in which Caesars World continued to operate the resort while it was owned by Tiger Investment. The Thunderbird had presented Caesars World with significant financial losses. In December 1976, Major Riddle planned to take over operations at the Thunderbird and rename it as

14214-405: The resort. Both men denied that the Lanskys were involved in the Thunderbird. Hank Greenspun , the publisher of the Las Vegas Sun , was a critic of Jones, who alleged that Greenspun was creating a "reign of terror" in southern Nevada : "No one is secure. You can't use your phone, you can't be seen with your friends for fear that will be ballooned into a sinister incident." At the end of 1954,

14352-427: The resort. He died the following month, at the age of 57. The casino was closed for seven hours so employees could attend Hicks' funeral, marking the second time it had ever been closed. Wells was named as the resort's new managing director, taking over for Hicks. Under Wells, the Thunderbird became heavily affiliated with sporting events such as wrestling and boxing. It also sponsored a deer-hunting contest. Ground

14490-465: The resort. A news investigation later found the decrepit buildings to be in violation of health and safety regulations. Turnberry Associates purchased the El Rancho and its 20 acres in May 2000. The company had been developing the Turnberry Place high-rise condominiums on 15 acres located behind the El Rancho. The closed resort was considered an eyesore for the new project, so Turnberry Associates had it demolished. The El Rancho's last remaining building,

14628-424: The resort. The Thunderbird also hosted numerous entertainers and shows, including Flower Drum Song and South Pacific . Business at the resort declined as ownership changed several times. In 1965, Wells and Jones sold the Thunderbird to Del E. Webb Corporation , which later sold it to Caesars World in 1972. Caesars World planned to demolish the Thunderbird and construct a $ 150 million resort in its place, but

14766-535: The sale of 495 shares which were purchased by the minority holders. The shares had previously been owned by Jake Katleman until his death. The suit requested that the El Rancho Vegas be placed into receivership, although this effort was unsuccessful. A compromise was eventually reached, in which the three stockholders were reimbursed. The shares were sold to Beldon Katleman, despite objections from Jake Katleman's widow, Liberty, who received monthly payments from her husband's estate. She argued that Beldon Katleman's offer

14904-427: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title El Rancho Hotel . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=El_Rancho_Hotel&oldid=1208153890 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description

15042-490: The seven casinos. The complex would include 300,000 sq ft (28,000 m ) of retail space, as well as 2,400 hotel rooms and a 65-story hotel tower. ITB hoped to begin construction later in 1996, with a planned opening date of April 1998. Some gaming analysts expressed skepticism that the Starship Orion project could get built, citing the high cost and ITB's lack of casino experience. In an agreement with LVEN, ITB

15180-503: The site, but were never built. In 1993, there were plans to construct a $ 5 million entertainment complex that would include a golf driving range, miniature golf courses, batting cages, and a race track. Hughes' Summa Corporation would lease the land to the developer. A baseball stadium was also being planned for the property in 1995, as part of the All-American Family Sports Park. However, William Bennett purchased

15318-434: The street, operated 88 of El Rancho Vegas's rooms under the name Thunderbird West, through a lease that extended into 1963. The following year, Alfred Hotels, Inc. announced that it had leased the hotel buildings from Katleman. Alfred Hotels planned to operate them as El Rancho Vegas Motor Inn. Refurbishments were underway at that time, including remodeling of the swimming pool. A wax museum and antique store were opened on

15456-441: The sultan of Brunei , made a $ 55 million offer for the land in 1996. However, the sultan vetoed the offer, which was apparently made without his knowledge. Real estate developer Donald Trump also discussed a possible purchase of the land, but passed. In the late 1990s, a group planned to build a western-themed resort on the site. It would include a Billy Bob's nightclub and a 5,000-seat arena with daily rodeo events. However,

15594-470: The tallest hotels in the U.S. News about Katleman's rebuilding was occasionally reported over the years, but such plans never came to fruition. In 1962, Katleman engaged in a failed effort to get the adjacent San Francisco Avenue renamed after the El Rancho; the road was instead renamed Sahara Avenue , after the Sahara resort located across the street. During 1962, Thunderbird resort, also located across

15732-534: The tax commission exhibited an "unusual eagerness" to find wrongdoing against Hicks. He also cited a lack of evidence that Jones had any knowledge of the Sadlo loan. Three months later, the tax commission filed a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court of Nevada . Both sides gave briefs to the supreme court at the end of 1956, and final arguments over the injunction were given several months later. In May 1957,

15870-480: The tax commission. Nevada governor Charles H. Russell , also the chairman of the tax commission, had been running for re-election in 1954. The allegations against the Thunderbird had come to light a month prior to the election, and the hotel alleged that the timing of the claims was politically motivated, as one member of the tax commission had already known about the Sadlo loan years prior to the 1954 accusation. In December 1955, judge Merwyn H. Brown ruled in favor of

16008-476: The time. Ipi Tombi , a South African show, debuted at the Silverbird in 1979, but ended due to lack of popularity. In 1981, the financially struggling resort launched a show titled Feminine Touch . In 1990, Rodney Dangerfield opened a comedy club at the El Rancho known as Rodney's Place, which previously had an unsuccessful run at the Tropicana resort. The club presented a variety of comedians. It closed

16146-402: The women to safety. Within 20 minutes, the fire had engulfed the theater, lounge, and restaurant. Flames reached up to 100 feet in height. Various people showed up to observe the fire, and entertainer Red Skelton took photos of the burning building. The resort's 50-foot neon windmill, a local landmark, toppled over during the fire. A total of 48 firemen and 20 deputy sheriffs responded to

16284-453: Was a luxury resort, Hull did not want it to be abundantly fancy, out of fear that this would turn off locals. The resort offered a higher level of luxury compared to its counterparts near Fremont Street , but it was otherwise unremarkable. The gaming area was not particularly large, and western themes were common in Nevada casinos at the time. However, the El Rancho Vegas was notable for its location outside of city limits, and for its concept of

16422-532: Was a subject of questioning during a Nevada Tax Commission hearing later that month, part of the larger investigation into the resort's ownership. The property beneath the Thunderbird was owned by Bonanza Hotel, Inc, which operated the hotel portion and leased out other portions. Bonanza did not receive any of the resort's gaming revenue, and did not have stockholders. The casino, bars, and restaurants were operated by Thunderbird Hotel Company, of which Jones held an 11-percent interest. Hicks held 51-percent ownership of

16560-421: Was broken on November 23, 1962, for a $ 1 million, four-story hotel addition, located directly east of the resort. It was the third phase of a $ 6 million project to expand and modernize the Thunderbird. At the time, the resort also operated 88 rooms at its Thunderbird West building, located on the El Rancho Vegas property and leased to the Thunderbird. Big Joe's Oyster Bar opened several months later; it resembled

16698-526: Was conceived late one night after he laid out ingredients on a bar to make a sandwich, attracting the attention of hungry gamblers. The buffet was known at various points as the Midnight Chuck Wagon and as the Buckaroo Buffet. It proved to be a success, popularizing the buffet concept in Las Vegas that would become common in other resorts there. In 1947, American Hotel Association named it as

16836-400: Was considered a luxurious resort, and a Southwestern / Navajo theme was featured throughout the property, including portraits of American Indians. In February 1949, there were plans to add a 78-room hotel addition at a cost of $ 750,000. The hotel had expanded to 206 rooms by 1950. In 1953, the Thunderbird opened the adjacent 110-room Algiers Hotel , built south of the resort. It served as

16974-499: Was forgiven in exchange for approving the receivership. Marshall denied the allegations. With the resort still in receivership, Drown agreed to take over ownership again, doing so in February 1946, after the resort exited bankruptcy. It was then briefly leased to several corporations, led by Sanford Adler. Herb McDonald , the director of entertainment and publicity for the resort, added an all-you-can-eat buffet in 1946. The idea

17112-466: Was granted access to the El Rancho after being invited by two unnamed workers. KVBC conducted and aired an investigation of the resort's structures. Asbestos and exposed wiring were found throughout the buildings, as well as corroding chemicals which covered the floors. Rats and bugs were found to be inhabiting the resort. Homeless people had also been sneaking inside the closed resort and staying there, and marijuana and empty beer bottles were discovered by

17250-453: Was initially restricted to the first two floors because of safety concerns regarding other areas of the resort. Much clean-up work had to be done to the resort to prepare it for the sale, removing dust and disrepair. Among the items for sale were furnishings, bathroom fixtures, and carpeting. The bowling alley was also for sale, at a cost of $ 114,000. Other items for sale included 900 televisions and full-sized horse replicas. Gaming equipment

17388-467: Was initially set to commence in April 1939, but it had yet to begin as of November 1940; at that time, the start of construction had been delayed because of a lack of lumber during World War II . Construction was underway in February 1941, and work proceeded on a rapid schedule. After nearly three years of planning, the El Rancho Vegas held a preview opening on April 1, 1941. It was attended by 300 businessmen from out of state. The public opening came on

17526-544: Was moved to Pahrump, Nevada . The former El Rancho Vegas property sat vacant for several decades after the Hughes purchase, eventually becoming one of the last large, undeveloped parcels on the Las Vegas Strip. Numerous projects were proposed for the land but did not materialize. A timeshare resort, the Hilton Grand Vacations Club , eventually opened on the southern edge of the property in 2004. MGM Mirage purchased

17664-509: Was not part of the sale, having been removed by ITB prior to the Turnberry purchase. On October 3, 2000, the resort's last remaining structure, the 13-story hotel tower, was imploded with 700 pounds of dynamite. The implosion took place at 2:30 a.m., and more than 2,000 spectators came to witness it. For safety reasons, the demolition was a subdued event compared to past implosions in Las Vegas. Turnberry had given only minimal publicity to

17802-500: Was placed into his estate. The casinos filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy later that year, and a reorganization effort failed to pay off the resort's creditors. An auction of the Silverbird lease was held on December 2, 1981, with a minimum bid of $ 3.8 million. The resort was worth approximately $ 2.5 million. Tiger Investment still owned the resort, and any new leasee would have to make monthly payments of approximately $ 264,000. Other lease expenditures for furniture and equipment would raise

17940-455: Was prominent throughout the resort, with a Spanish-style exterior and a cowboy/frontier-styled interior. El Rancho Vegas offered horseback riding, the Round-Up Room dinner theater, and a large swimming pool, the latter located along Highway 91 to entice motorists. Hull intended to capitalize on the large number of motorists traveling into Las Vegas from Los Angeles. The resort featured

18078-435: Was renamed as the Opera House, which also served food. In the late 1950s, the television station KSHO-TV /Channel 13 operated behind the El Rancho, through a lease agreement with Katleman. Western Union also had an office at the resort. In 1957, Katleman announced plans for an expansion the following year that would include new rooms, a cocktail lounge, and entertainment facilities. Ohio industrialist Ben Aronoff became

18216-667: Was the president of the Nevada Racing Association. In 1962, he began operating the Thunderbird Speedway in Henderson, Nevada , a city located southeast of the resort. It held auto races for the next two years, and Wells wanted the Thunderbird hotel to serve as the lodging headquarters for racers. Wells also had plans to construct a Quarter Horse race track directly behind the Thunderbird. The track, known as Thunderbird Downs, opened in October 1963. It consisted of

18354-776: Was to begin in 2009, with the opening expected three years later. The project, sometimes referred to as CityCenter North, was canceled because of the Great Recession . Ultimately, MGM opened its Festival Grounds on the property in 2015. This development saw minimal success, and the property was sold to Phil Ruffin in 2019. Big entertainers who performed regularly at the El Rancho included Dean Martin , Sophie Tucker , Eartha Kitt , and Joe E. Lewis . Other performers included Tony Bennett , Milton Berle , Joey Bishop , Jack Carter , Billy Daniels , Zsa Zsa Gabor , Betty Grable and Harry James , Betty Garrett , Larry Parks , Lili St. Cyr , Sammy Davis Jr. and

18492-401: Was to come up with financing for Starship Orion, with a deadline of October 25, 1996. If ITB were unsuccessful, LVEN had an option to seek alternative financing for a less-expensive project, such as re-opening the El Rancho. A week before the deadline, ITB told LVEN that the Starship Orion project had not generated any financing from potential investors. ITB was pursuing other possible options for

18630-470: Was to direct the redevelopment of the El Rancho into a full-time family resort. LVEN purchased the property in November 1993, for $ 36.5 million. By January 1994, LVEN planned to open El Rancho's Countryland USA with its own 24-hour cable television channel based inside the new resort, which would have housed facilities for production and broadcasting. The channel would have promoted events at Countryland USA, as well as other resorts. LVEN also planned to add

18768-421: Was too low. In 1953, a customer, John Maher, alleged that he was held under armed guard at the El Rancho Vegas, after writing $ 400 in bad checks. He filed charges against Katleman and the El Rancho, alleging false imprisonment and seeking damages of $ 172,000. Maher subsequently withdrew the complaint, although he later filed a $ 3 million suit, alleging false imprisonment and battery. His wife also filed

18906-499: Was underway in October 1947. The Thunderbird opened on September 2, 1948, with 79 hotel rooms, a casino, and a bar. The cost of construction exceeded $ 2 million. The Thunderbird was the fourth resort to open on the Strip, and was located diagonally across the street from the El Rancho Vegas . It was named after the mythical Thunderbird creature, and the entrance featured two large, neon Thunderbird statues. The Thunderbird

19044-618: Was used by the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee to stabilize the Las Vegas Wash . The El Rancho's implosion was recorded and featured in the 2004 National Geographic Channel documentary Exploding Las Vegas , along with several other Las Vegas casino implosions. Turnberry initially planned to build a London-themed resort on the El Rancho land, but

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