I’m off to Las Vegas again for an event this weekend…yay! I’m only spending 3 nights in Vegas and then back to cold cold Canada I go. Got to save up those vacation days for VIVA Rockabilly weekend. While we are there we are staying at one of my favorite hotels, the “Golden Nugget“. I adore this hotel so very very much, it just screams old school Vegas. I also love Fremont Street that the hotel is on, so much fun to just wander from casino to casino, bar to bar exploring everything.

I thought for this post it might be fun to explore a bit about the Golden Nugget and see what we can unearth about one of my favorite hotels.

Golden Nugget Las Vegas Vintage Photo of Fremont Street.

Vintage Vegas-Golden Nugget Casino Hotel

Brief History of the Golden Nugget

The Golden Nugget was originally built-in 1946, making it one of the oldest casinos in the city. It was designed as a casino only as opposed to a combination casino and hotel. It’s original bullnose and signage was designed by Young Electric sign designers Kermit Wayne and Hermon Boernge. The 1905 on the sign (under the small Golden Nugget name) led many to believe that the Golden Nugget had been part of the original development of Fremont Street but that was a myth. Because of its bullnose and signage, the Golden Nugget became one of the most photographed buildings on Fremont Street. “Everyone knew the Golden Nugget sign” said the late president of the LVCVA, Manny Cortez (Source: Classic Las Vegas).

When the casino opened it was the largest and most luxurious casino in downtown Las Vegas. It had mahogany bars, imported marble floors and crystal chandeliers (seen below).

Vintage Ad for the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas

(Image source)

1950s Golden Nugget postcard showcasing what the caino and hotel looked like inside.

In the 1960s more properties beside the Nugget were purchased but no expansion ever happened and it continued to remain as just a casino. That all changed though in the 70s when Steve Wynn purchased the casino and turned it into the hotel/casino we know it as today (note: it is no longer owned by Wynn and has gone thru some dramatic face-lifts but it’s still a hotel/casino and very beautiful inside).

Some fun facts about the Golden Nugget

In keeping with its name the Golden Nugget is home to the worlds largest gold nugget-“The hand of Faith” weighing 61 lbs., 11oz.

Frank Sinatra in 1984 at the twilight of his career performed at the Nuggets theater ballroom, a room that he actually inaugurated along with Willie Nelson. It was also rumored that he nicknamed the ballroom-” the dungeon” because it was so small but it must have not been too bad because it was his home for 3 years.

Vintage poster for Frank Sinatra performing at the Golden Nugget hotel and casino in las vegas. Frank Sinatra in 1984 at the twilight of his career performed at the Nuggets theater ballroom, a room that he actually inaugurated along with Willie Nelson. It was also rumored that he nicknamed the ballroom-" the dungeon" because it was so small but it must have not been too bad because it was his home for 3 years.

Negotiations to build the Golden Nugget took 30 minutes.
From 1946 until 1950, poker players dealt their own cards in no-limit games. The Golden Nugget was the first casino to introduce the center deal (a dealer who deals the cards to players).
The bar was a reproduction of an actual Carson Street bar during the Comstock boom, and each piece was hand fitted and carved.
The Golden Nugget was designed to replicate the original Golden Nugget built on San Francisco’s Barbary Coast.
20,000 guests were invited to the opening.
A ribbon was wrapped around the Spa Tower for its 1984 Grand Opening (Source: Golden Nugget website).

Such fun facts!

I hope you enjoyed my little post on the Golden Nugget and now I’m off to pack and head off to enjoy my own Vintage Vegas experience just like the below picture.

Vintage Vegas slot machines as seen by two women and one man playing them.

Image by © Michael Ochs Archives/Corbis

Have you been to Las Vegas and enjoyed the Golden Nugget? Any tips on some great Vintage Vegas places to check out?

Further Reading about Vintage Las Vegas:

Liz 🙂

Vintage 1940s Travel Poster for Sun Valley, Idaho featuring a woman downhill skiing

For as long as I can remember I have always wished I could go to “Sun Valley, Idaho” during the early days of the 1940s and 50s. Skiing down the hill next to Bing Crosby and Gary Cooper (seriously, could you imagine???!!), drinking hot chocolate in my super stylish ski sweater with reindeer or skiers on it and ending my day sleeping in a chic ski cabin. Sigh…how fun! If I actually really think about it I think I fell in love with the whole idea after seeing the 1941 movie “Sun Valley Serenade” with Sonja Henie, which was such a magical and fun movie. Whatever the reasons, we can all agree as Vintage fans that Sun Valley of the past really did look like a vintage lovers dream.

So, as per tradition with my blog, lets look at some fun 1940s images & travel ads from this skiers paradise.

Let’s Visit Sun Valley!

1940’s Vintage Images & Travel Posters / Ads

First lets start off with Glenn Miller “It Happened in Sun Valley”, to get us in the mood….

Vintage 1940s Travel Poster for Sun Valley, Idaho featuring a woman in a downhill skiing outfit getting ready to hit the slopes.

Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert looking so amazing. Love the sweater Mister Cooper. 1940s photo.

1940s Vintage Photo of Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert in ski wear getting ready to ski in Sun Valley

“Winter sports under a summer sun…Sun Valley Idaho”.

I love the skaters in the back of the below picture, so very cute.

Vintage 1940s Travel Poster for Sun Valley, Idaho featuring a woman in 1940s Ski Wear getting ready to ski. Cool Winter 1940s Fashion.

1946 photo of skiers enjoying the sun after a good day of skiing. This is an outstanding photo! The two girls on the left are my favs for style. Look at the vintage hairstyles?! Drool.

1940s Photo from 1946 of skiers enjoying the sun after a good day of skiing in Sun Valley. This is an outstanding photo! The two girls on the left are my favs for style. Look at the vintage hairstyles?! Drool.

1940s photo of a group of skiier’s in a car being driven somewhere in Sun Valley to enjoy the slopes.

As a past skier I do have to say that it is fun to ski when you can wear a t-shirt. Or in this ad..no shirt. Possibly a 1940s travel ad.

1940s travel ad for Winter sports under a summer sun at the Sun Valley Lodge in Sun Valley at Ketchum, Idaho. Travel illustration features a man with no shirt on in ski pants and skiis.

Here is another image from 1946 from a photo series by George Silk of skiers enjoying the warmth of the sun. That swimsuit has two thumbs up from me! Plus..anyone want a sandwich?