Photo from the Mark Englebretson Collection
| Four Queens |
| 202 Fremont |
| 1964 - Present |
Photo from the Mark Englebretson Collection |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 |
) Mark Englebretson Grade 2 | ) John Lot Grade 2 |
) Michael Richter Grade 1 |
) Michael Richter Grade 1 |
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The Four Queens is listed at 202 Fremont Street in Fuller’s Index, in The Gaming Table, and in phone books. They all agree, so there’s no problem…right? But, it’s an even number…on the odd numbered side of the street!? The White Cross Drug Store, which was at that location before the Four Queens, had the address of 201 Fremont Street. Only in Vegas?
In 1964, Ben Goffstein, formerly the president of the Riviera Hotel, opened the Four Queens Hotel & Casino. He named it in honor of his four daughters Michele, Benita, Faith and Hope. Ben was assisted by Vice President Tommy Callahan, whose name appears on some early issue Four Queens dice. In 1964 the casino was 20,000 square feet. In 1976 the casino was expanded to 30,000 square feet. The next (but not the last) expansion took place in 1977 enlarging the casino to 40,000 square feet, which took up the entire block between Third Street and Casino Center. In the 1980’s, the Four Queens had a Ripley’s Believe it or Not! exhibit. I can still remember a huge ship that was on display, built entirely of matchsticks!
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. |