austin

Austin

chicago

Chicago

denver

Denver

lasvegas

Las Vegas

madison

Madison

nashville

Nashville

philly

Philly

pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

portland

Portland

saltlake

Salt Lake

seattle

Seattle

twincities

Twin Cities

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Las Vegas

People, places, and scenes from Las Vegas' past.

Rob Kachelriess

, a series of tours and events by the Nevada Preservation Foundation that celebrate and promote the need to protect everyday history within our community.

“O ur mission is to preserve and revitalize historic buildings, neighborhoods, and cultural landscapes across Nevada,” says Dr. Paige Figanbaum, the nonprofit’s executive director. “And how we do that is through education and outreach.”

It’s also a lot of fun. The four-day festival kicks off on April 15 with a 

 reception inside a 1930s Tudor style home. The party takes inspiration from the wild days of the Prohibition era with live jazz, cocktails, and bites from local chefs James Trees and Tood Harrington.

, a sunset soirée at the Spanish Oaks Tennis Club, modeled after the preppy spirit of the “greed is good” decade.

. Take a bus tour that showcases places of worship with timeless architecture, a bike ride past old motels on Fremont Street and Lawyer’s Row, or a cocktail crawl through the Water Street District. In an annual tradition that dates back to the start, a home tour invites participants to step inside seven older, historic houses and learn about not only the properties, but the surrounding neighborhoods.

“People are really surprised how closely connected these historic neighborhoods are,” Figanbaum says. “You can be at John S. Park and drive 10 minutes to Beverly Green.”

Maybe you live in a home that might qualify as historic? 

 is the lunch for you. “Sometimes people get a little intimidated when thinking about what it takes for preservation and just having the conversation of ‘What is a historic designation?’ and ‘What does that mean when I'm living in an older home?’ We're able to answer all of those questions.”

The festival effectively kicks off the year for the Nevada Preservation Foundation, which continues to offer monthly programming and an 

 that can be used anytime. Take a walking tour of historic Woodlawn Cemetery or a drive to see more of the great midcentury modern architecture that's throughout Southern Nevada.

 shares more insight with City Cast Las Vegas with discussions about the 

. Think of these episodes as just a preview of what 

 is all about. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

Home + History Las Vegas returns with tours via walking, bus, bikes, and more. 

A Las Vegas Tour of Historic Homes and Neighborhoods

Back in Time: A Celebration of Vegas History Returns

People, places, and scenes from Las Vegas's past.

Las Vegas History

When does a city actually become a city? 🤔 It’s an easy question with a complicated answer — especially for Las Vegas. Indigenous tribes roamed the region for centuries before the 

 became the first permanent non-native settlement when it was built in 1855 — nine years before the Nevada Territory became a state — but the Utah pioneers who lived there 

The Vegas we know today dates back to when a railroad line between Salt Lake City and Southern California established a pivotal stop in what is now Downtown. The railroad company 

 on May 15, 1905 — a date everyone accepts as the official founding of Las Vegas.

, the City of Las Vegas was incorporated on March 16, 1911. That’s 115 years ago today! Slice the cake and pour me a shot of moonshine 🎂 🥃 

, and other sources beg to differ, saying the incorporation actually happened a few months later on June 1, 1911.

So, what gives? My schedule is tight and my microfiche skills aren’t what they used to be, so instead of doing more research, I cut to the chase and asked UNLV History Professor Michael Green to clarify.

Alright. Put the cake away. (Leave the moonshine.) We’ll reconvene on June 1.

Maybe we should just stick with May 15 🎂

 The original land auction is worth celebrating, especially since it 

, the oldest casino in Las Vegas. [City Cast Las Vegas ✍️]

When Did Las Vegas Become a City?

Is Today Las Vegas’ Real Birthday?

Drive around Downtown Las Vegas for a little while and you may come across a dusty relic of adobe-crafted history, built more than 170 years ago. The 

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park

 is a quiet place, but one that ties together a wide variety of threads that helped shape Southern Nevada.

The fort, on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Washington Ave., is in the heart of the Las Vegas Cultural Corridor, which also includes the 

Las Vegas Science & Natural History Museum

The fort wasn’t for the military. It was built in 1855 for Mormon missionaries traveling a segment of the Old Spanish Trail between Salt Lake City and San Bernardino. The location was chosen for its spring-fed creek — and a replica of it trickles through the site today. Construction took seven months. When complete, the fort 

spanned 150 square feet with 14-foot-high adobe walls

, making it the largest building for at least 100 miles.

The fort was around just two years before resources were stretched and tensions escalated with native Paiute tribes, prompting the church to recall the settlers from their mission. California entrepreneur Octavius Decatur Gass 

 in 1865, supplying goods to workers and travelers. He also developed orchards and wine vineyards while employing Paiute workers. Pioche businessman Archibald Stewart took control of the ranch over a loan dispute — and was later killed at Kiel Ranch, which is a 

 — before widow Helen Stewart took over the ranch for 20 years and established her own identity as the 

Ownership of the fort passed through the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad company, Bureau of Land Management, and City of Las Vegas before preservationist groups campaigned for it to become an official state park in 1991.

The site includes part of the original adobe structure with some parts recreated in the style of the era. You can browse artifacts and equipment, walk past pioneer wagons, and hang out at the picnic tables. The admission fee is the best three bucks you’ll spend in Vegas. (Kids 12 and under are free.)

The oldest non-native settlement in Las Vegas set the stage for the community we know today. 

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort Represents the History of Las Vegas

The Secret State Park in the Middle of Downtown Vegas

 returns next week, breathing temporary life into the dusty lungs of Primm, a place valued more for gas stations and restrooms than casinos these days. So get ready to take a short road trip to the state line. The race is a unique piece of Vegas lore that dates back decades.

The Mint 400 is one of the most prestigious and legendary off-road races in the world. Competitors hit a 100-mile dirt track in the desert for a total of four laps, adding up to 400 miles total — hence the name. There are different races in various vehicles and skill levels on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7.

The race began in 1968, taking place in the desert outside Downtown. Sponsored by The Mint hotel and casino on Fremont Street, the event was originally an idea to promote the resort’s annual deer hunt, but developed into the largest off-road race in the world.

, including Indianapolis 500 winners, but also celebrity entrants like actors Steve McQueen and James Garner. Festivities connected to the race were hosted by the “Girls of the Mint 400,” selected from hundreds of entries each year. Lynda Carter and Vanna White were among the finalists early in their careers. The race was a focal point of Hunter S. Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” which elevated its status as an iconic event.

 and became part of the property now known as Binions, putting an end to the race. In 2008, new owners revived the Mint 400, which is now marketed more directly to racing enthusiasts.

 in Primm outside Buffalo Bill’s. Four additional 

 run along the track in Jean. Tickets begin at $37.36. Then again, you can always 

The Mint 400 has a festival atmosphere with food trucks, bars, exhibitors, entertainment, and a series of 

, including a vehicle parade down the Strip Wednesday, March 4 at 3 p.m. and a free festival in the Fremont East district Thursday, March 5, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Buffalo Bill’s hosts post-race celebrations, featuring ‘90s and beyond cover band 

The most notorious and grueling off-road race in the world has a long history in Las Vegas. 

Mint 400 Las Vegas Dates and Schedule

The Mint 400 and Its Wild Las Vegas History

 is now open on IMAX screens before expanding to a wider theatrical release next week. The film offers a look at the King’s groundbreaking Las Vegas residency with rare footage uncovered from the early 1970s.

I saw a preview screening at the Westgate’s International Theatre, the same place where Elvis performed 

, back when the property was known as the International Hotel and later, the Hilton.

The movie is a fascinating and often exhilarating time capsule, stitched together with 35mm and 8mm footage from the Warner Bros. archives, discovered by director Baz Luhrmann while laying the groundwork for his 2022 “Elvis” biopic.

The first thing that hits you: it looks amazing — the benefits of recording on film before “high def” came around. You see Elvis in all his glory. Every pore and stray hair. But I was also struck by the clarity of the sound mix, especially after learning some of the original film footage was silent and painstakingly synced to alternative audio sources.

This isn’t your standard documentary. There are no talking heads spouting off scripted observations. Just Elvis himself, always full of personality, chatting to the press, mugging for the cameras, and joking around with his band. I think he’d be a lot more restrained and self-aware if cellphones and social media were around. Watching him kiss one female fan after another — without hesitation, right on the mouth — is jarring by today’s standards, but if you want to see the ‘70s, you’re gonna get it.

In a moment of seriousness, Presley tells the camera it’s not his place to talk about politics, drawing fierce applause from some in the audience during my screening. Today’s divisive climate doesn’t take a break, even at the movies. It wasn’t lost on me that Elvis spoke those words during the Vietnam War, a time when opinions on the latest news cycle didn’t always match the reflections that came decades later.

The one thing we can all agree on: the raw power and natural talent of Elvis. I’m not sure if he was a musical genius, but he was definitely a musical spirit. He feels every note and every beat. And you feel it through him — even on film. Some song clips are longer than others, but the best moment is when the King trades the stage moves for a guitar, sits down, and croons the lesser-known “Little Sister” from beginning to end. Messy hair, sweat everywhere — and it’s perfect.

Who needs stage effects or backing tracks?

I’d love to go back in time and experience this Las Vegas residency live in person, but 

 is the next best thing. See it in a theater if you can.

Found Footage of Vegas Residency in Elvis Concert Film

Elvis Uncovered: Found Footage Never Looked (and Sounded) So Good

We’ve been talking a lot about bingo lately, from its 

success at the Plaza and locals-focused neighborhood casinos

. But where did this game of chance start?

Early versions of what would become bingo 

 (“lotto”) before spreading to France (“le lotto”) and Mexico (“lotería”) in the 1700s — and our buddies at Pinches Tacos continue to 

Americans got a taste for it in the 1920s when Hugh J. Ward of Pittsburgh marketed a version of the game, 

. In 1929, toy manufacturer Edwin S. Lowe saw the game played under Ward’s rules at an Atlanta carnival, where players called it “beano” since dried beans were used to cover numbers on cards. Lowe 

 by producing bingo sets, and its popularity exploded during the Great Depression when it was used as a fundraiser for churches.

Despite his success with bingo (a natural for gambling circles) and 

 called Monte Carlowe, Lowe failed to seize the potential of gambling when he came to Las Vegas. The businessman 

 as the only hotel on the Strip without a casino, believing he could attract an untapped family-oriented clientele. He misread the market, and the Tallyho closed after less than a year.

renamed Kings Crown Tallyho under new ownership

, although the site would later become better known for two versions of the Aladdin and eventually, Planet Hollywood.

Lowe later acknowledged his miscalculation in Vegas, but made out just fine, 

selling his E. S. Lowe Company to Milton Bradley

 in 1973 for $26 million (or about $190 million in today’s dollars). Meanwhile, bingo would become a Vegas staple at 

the first to introduce electronic flash boards

🤔 But Really, Who Came Up With the Name?

That’s up for debate — or maybe not. Some stories claim Lowe was playing the game with friends in New York when a winner shouted “bingo” by mistake instead of “beano.” However, documents show that Ward 

 for a rulebook in 1933, but never renewed his claim, leaving it open for Lowe. It appears Ward 

, believing the word was easier to shout upon hitting a winning combination.

Just like bingo, marketing is all about timing … and luck.

The businessman who brought bingo to the masses also opened the Tallyho hotel in Vegas. What went wrong?

How the Man Who Popularized Bingo Failed to Capitalize on Vegas Gambling

 opened 120 years ago this month, making it the oldest casino resort in Las Vegas. The property set the stage for a boom of activity on Fremont Street and the modern era of Downtown, but what do you 

The original lot for what is now the Golden Gate was purchased for $1,750 by John F. Miller in a land auction held by the Union Pacific Railroad. The address was (and remains) 1 Fremont Street and it had Las Vegas’ first telephone line (with the phone number “1”). The business was first known as the Hotel Nevada. By 1932 it was renamed Sal Sagev, which is Las Vegas backwards. It wasn’t the Golden Gate until 1974.

The business began as a hangout for railroad travelers. In an era of tight liquor laws, the City of Las Vegas gave hotels an exemption to serve alcohol, so Miller offered 10 upstairs rooms to rent on the second floor. That allowed him to sell booze on the main level.

🧳 You Can Still Book a Night at One of the Original Rooms

Those first 10 rooms have been upgraded, but are relatively small by modern standards. They’re identified by a plaque outside each door and a dividing line painted on the wall that separates “1906” from “now.”

There was no documented gaming in the building until 1955, but slot machines and a roulette wheel were seen in the lobby before — and probably used on the sly.

👀 The Glass Panel Across the Ceiling Isn’t Decorative

It’s the “eye in the sky” to catch cheaters in action — long before surveillance cameras existed. A member of the security team would lie face down on a moving platform and roll back and forth on a track to view gamblers through the glass.

Now known as Bar Prohibition, the main drinking spot at the Golden Gate was a favorite of Rat Packers Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin. Years later, Michael Jackson became a fan too, showing up in disguises so effective, the bartenders didn’t even recognize him.

The shrimp cocktail, chilled in a tulip glass with a lemon wedge, was a house favorite for just 50 cents. Over the years, the price jumped from 69 cents to 99 cents (causing an uproar among regulars) and beyond. It’s now $12 across the street at 

 inside Circa (under the same ownership as the Golden Gate), although every now and then, it’s offered for 99 cents in throwback promotions.

The basement, built with concrete to fend off the threat of fires, was used as liquor storage, a bar, and even a secret speakeasy during Prohibition. A room that was once part of the kitchen is being renovated for future use — perhaps as an event space or bar. (I suspect a speakeasy to match the historic vibes — but stay tuned for an announcement.)

The high limit room has a few historic Easter eggs, so to speak. A gold wall leads to a decorative mosaic fountain that dates back to 1909, while the knob of a small window reveals the hotel’s original brick wall.

The oldest casino in Vegas is full of secrets.

The Strange History of the Golden Gate Casino in Las Vegas

9 Things You Should Know (But Probably Don’t) About the Golden Gate Casino

Las Vegas has a soft spot for its classic signs and marquees — and that includes the Blue Angel, who’s found a way to stand out and survive since first appearing in 1957.

Today, the Blue Angel towers above the Five Points East intersection of Fremont, Charleston, and Eastern, perched atop a fenced-off pillar and rotating — ever slightly — a few degrees back and forth. The 15-foot-tall statue stands next to the restored Blue Angel Motel sign. Both were part of the original business, which included the Blue Onion drive-in restaurant and was demolished in 2015 on a lot just steps away, now home to a Taco Bell.

The Blue Angel was designed by Betty Willis, who also famously 

created the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign

. Crafted with metal and fiberglass, the statue went through a series of renovations over the years before it was removed in 2017. Her hair and skin color changed over the years. At one point, a star was attached to the wand and a halo was placed above her head. Using grant money, the Las Vegas Historic Preservation Commission restored the piece as close as possible to the original design. With a fresh makeover, the Blue Angel was included in a 

 in 2020, just days before pandemic restrictions would 

, Five Points East remains a working class neighborhood that’s seen its share of highs and lows over the years. Longtime locals will remember the Green Shack Restaurant and the Showboat Casino, later renamed Castaways. The area was also known as a red light district for pornography shops. Other 

 continue to show their age, offering a glimpse back in time to another era. Some are still open. Most are closed. All have seen better days.

The Blue Angel isn’t exactly a tourist destination, but it’s a historic landmark with a place in pop culture. The image inspired a 

. While her motel is long gone, the Blue Angel continues to have a role in our city, watching over Downtown as it continues to evolve.

This old motel sign has seen a few changes since first appearing in 1957.

The Blue Angel in Las Vegas

The Blue Angel Watching Over Las Vegas

One week from today marks 55 years since the passing of Charles “Sonny” Liston — an all-time boxing great who won the heavyweight championship, faced Muhammad Ali twice, and lived out his final days in Las Vegas while never escaping the shadow of the mob over his career.

 at Davis Memorial Park (also known as Paradise Memorial Gardens) east of the Strip. The modest marker only lists the name of the heavyweight championship boxer, years of birth and death, and just two words: “A Man.”

It’s not even entirely known if one of those years is accurate. Liston himself never knew his exact birthday and there’s no certificate available. He was born in poverty in rural Arkansas and got into frequent trouble with the law before finding success in boxing.

Liston was a terrifying presence, known for his brute force and power. He won and unified the heavyweight championships with a pair of first-round knockouts over Floyd Patterson in the early ‘60s. The first was at Chicago’s Comiskey Park. The second was Liston’s first fight in Las Vegas at the Convention Center.

The champ’s career suddenly took a dive — in more ways than one, according to some. Liston lost to Cassius Clay after leaving the ring and failing to return for the seventh round. A rematch against Clay, then renamed Muhammad Ali, was even more controversial. Liston lost by knockout in the first round to what critics described as a 

 prompting accusations that Liston threw the fight. Even his 

The image of Liston flat on his back, underneath a snarling Ali, became 

one of the most iconic sports photos in history

 and Liston wasn’t able to overcome the damage to his legacy. Despite a mostly winning record, Liston never recaptured championship glory. His 

 after the Ali series was by knockout to Leotis Martin at the Las Vegas Hilton, which is now the Westgate.

Liston spent his later years in Las Vegas, living in a 

 in Paradise Palms near the Las Vegas Country Club. He’d often shoot craps with fellow boxing champ Joe Louis, who lived about a mile away and was a celebrity greeter at Caesars Palace.

Liston was found dead by his wife inside his Vegas home in 1970 — just eight years after he was crowned heavyweight champion. The coroner listed natural causes as the reason. Police say heroin was found near the body. Others argue otherwise, claiming it had to do with long-running mafia connections and 

We may never know the full truth. Liston’s death remains mysterious, just like his birth. Take a moment to think about the boxing great’s remarkable life, even if you happen to see his unremarkable tombstone in Las Vegas.

The gravesite of a troubled sports icon is easy to miss at a crowded Las Vegas cemetery. 

Did Sonny Liston Take a Dive?

The Saddest Tombstone in Las Vegas?

This month marks 29 years since the Hacienda 

 on the south end of the Strip. The resort went out with a bang just weeks later with a 

, ushering in a new era for the address now occupied by Mandalay Bay.

The property was originally known as the Lady Luck during construction, but financing fell through. One of the investors, who already owned a string of Hacienda motels in California, took over and the Vegas version was born in 1956.

Long before the M Resort came around, the Hacienda was the first hotel seen by travelers driving in from California. Dominating a then-quiet south end of the Strip, the property had a casino but catered to a family-oriented clientele, who could hang around and enjoy a go-kart track, golf, and the largest pool on the Strip.

The Hacienda was like most Vegas hotels of its time — a deluxe motor lodge that expanded to accommodate a growing tourist market. The number of rooms grew from less than 300 to more than 1,100. The resort 

, sporting an exterior best described as “60’s office building chic,” although there was Spanish inspiration in the surrounding archways, porte-cochère, and lobby design, which included a waterfall.

 by magician Lance Burton and comedian Redd Foxx. (It was also where our own Dayvid Figler first rocked out to 

 chapel, which was spared from the implosion and relocated farther down the Strip.

, which revolutionized the junket business during the 50s and 60s. The hotel would break even on flights and free-flowing champagne, but profit at the casino, drawing in middle-class “low rollers” and earning resentment from other casino operators. The Hacienda also sponsored a publicity stunt that kept a Cessna 172 

, flying low and connecting to a moving truck in the desert to refuel.

Circus Circus Enterprises bought the Hacienda in the mid-90s and immediately made plans to replace it with what would become Mandalay Bay during a period when “mega-resorts” were redefining the Strip.

The Hacienda’s colorful marquee, featuring a cowboy atop a horse, was the 

 by the Neon Museum and is on display in the Fremont East district. For a while, the Hacienda name was licensed to a property near Lake Mead that’s 

. Otherwise, the hotel is a distant memory for those looking back on a time when Las Vegas thrived on value and touches of marketing ingenuity.

 opened less than a year before rival Tropicana, which had an 