Photo from the Mark Englebretson Collection
Photo from the Mark Englebretson Collection
| El Cortez |
| 600 Fremont |
| 1941 - Present |
Photo from the Mark Englebretson Collection |
Photo from the Mark Englebretson Collection |
.jpg','Pam Goertler ~ Grade 4','440','443')) Pam Goertler Grade 4 |
) Jim Rauzy Grade 3 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 3 |
) Don Boyer Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Pam Goertler Grade 2 |
) Michael Richter Grade 2 |
 From the Rick Olsen Collection |
| If you love the mega-resorts on the strip, and you love 5 star hotels and dining rooms, and you’re willing to pay the price, then the El Cortez probably won’t interest you. If you love the history of Las Vegas, the El Cortez has plenty! She was built by Marion Hicks, who later built the Thunderbird. Her early owners included Bugsy Siegal, Dave and Chickie Berman, Moe Sedway and Gus Greenbaum. In her heyday, celebrities were often seen at the El Cortez. JK Houssels, a well-known name in Las Vegas history, bought the El Cortez which got rid of the mob ties (except for the mobster in the penthouse…but that’s another story). Jackie Gaughan, another Vegas gaming pioneer, is the current owner. The El Cortez has been remodeled and refurbished several times since it opened in 1941 but, if you look at an old postcard while you’re looking at the building, you can still see much of the original building. Yep, the casino is smaller than the casinos that are built today, and it’s darker and a bit dingy…it’s also 65 years old! If the walls could talk, I’d love to listen. |
First published in the Casino Chip and Token News Magazine, Volume 19, Fall 2006 issue. Casino Chip and Tokens News is the official publication of The Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club, Inc. Special Permission was granted to reprint this information. All rights are reserved by the CCGTCC. If interested in joining this fascinating collecting field and receiving the clubs award winning magazine, go to www.ccgtcc.com and select membership. |