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City Cast Las Vegas

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

If you know your state history, you’ll likely remember we joined the union on Halloween. But this year, Nevada Day is today — one-day before. Why? We’ve got the details for you.

Nevada Day marks the date when Nevada joined the Union: Oct. 31, 1864. Falling just days before the election, statehood 

 to ensure extra votes for President Lincoln’s reelection while the country was embroiled in Civil War. Considering the circumstances of the time, few probably noticed or cared about the overlap with Halloween, which wasn’t popularized in the U.S. 

🎃 Why Isn't It on Halloween This Year?

The state legislature voted to observe Nevada Day on the last Friday in October, beginning in 2000, giving some consistency to the event. Nevada Day was originally Admission Day,

 as a judicial holiday in 1891. The name was changed to Nevada Day when it was declared a discretionary state holiday in 1933.

As pioneers died off, parades and celebrations in Reno and Virginia City fizzled out. Official festivities moved to Carson City in 1938 and a law passed the following year to make Nevada Day an official state holiday, which means schools and government offices are closed (another reason it runs on Fridays) 🥳 The

 continues to take place in Carson City on the Saturday after Nevada Day.

 will have free admission on Nevada Day (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), including access to the on-site

 to check out Nevada-themed activities and exhibits like “The New Deal in the New West: On the Road with Arthur Rothstein in Nevada.”

, which has locations in Henderson and North Las Vegas, is celebrating Nevada Day on Friday by giving out 

The Las Vegas Golden Knights are rocking 

 during their game against the New Jersey Devils, and fans can buy signed versions at an auction. They’re also 

debuting their latest Vans collab today at Paramount+ Plaza.

 Looking for something a bit more historical? Participate in the America 250-America 300 time capsule by 

 by 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. The capsule won’t be opended until 2076.

 in Boulder City is giving kids 17 and under free train rides this weekend: 10 a.m. and noon on Oct. 31 and 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Nov. 1-2. Adults can ride too for $12.

If you’re going to celebrate Nevada Day, at least 

Nevada Day and Halloween both fall on Friday this year. There's a reason for that. A few of 'em, actually.

When Is Nevada Day?

Why Isn’t Nevada Day On Halloween This Year?

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

Las Vegas History

Halloween is Saturday, but a few spooks like to haunt Vegas casinos year-round.

 opened in 1946 and less than a year later, founder Bugsy Siegel was shot dead in Beverly Hills. The mobster is believed to haunt the grounds, although his residence and the rest of the original hotel were torn down years ago. Even so, the Flamingo remains the oldest operating property on the Strip and Siegel’s ghost is said to roam a quiet memorial garden dedicated to his notorious legacy.

, which opened on Fremont Street in 1941, but future owner Jackie Gaughan was the one responsible for a spooky collection of 

. The mogul covered funeral expenses for employees and “inherited” the remains when a next of kin couldn’t be found.

 used to lean more heavily into its Egyptian theme with museum-level exhibits, artifacts, and a Nile River boat ride. If that wasn’t enough to attract ancient spirits, the property saw its 

, including the loss of at least one construction worker, a car bombing, and people who jumped (or fell) from the upper levels of the indoor atrium. The mob may have buried a few bodies on site too, leaving even more restless souls behind. Today, those who visit 

 sometimes feel the presence of deceased passengers from the doomed oceanliner, especially 

Back when it was the International and later, the Hilton, the 

set the stage for the modern Vegas residency

 with a historic run of Elvis Presley concerts between 1969 and 1976. Over the years, employees and psychics have reported seeing apparitions of the King, either in theater hallways or his top-floor penthouse. Even Wayne Newton swears he 

 in the stands while performing on stage at the Westgate.

 took place in 1980, engulfing the old MGM Grand, which is now the 

. Nearly 90 people were killed and since then, guests and employees alike have noticed strange shadows in hallways, the distant noise of screaming, and the faint smell of smoke — even without a cigarette in sight — especially 

 where guests were less likely to survive the flames.

and suspicious deaths, leaving behind spirits that haunt hotel rooms and cast shadows on the AdventureDome big top.

There isn’t a Vegas casino more proud of its haunted reputation than 

, which posts witness accounts (in a lobby mural and 

 (room numbers included) and advertises a 

 in Benny Binion’s old 1930s-era penthouse.

 closed in 2024, but the gaming license is still valid, keeping hope alive for a comeback down the line. The casino showed signs of life with haunted tours last year to see if the ghost of Whiskey Pete — whose 

 by construction crews — continues to haunt the grounds.

. It’s a fun episode, so check it out. Don’t listen alone, especially in the dark 🕯️ [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

Where To Find Ghosts In Vegas

Las Vegas casinos are full of history, stories ... and spirits. Some even have a reputation for being haunted.

The Most Haunted Casinos in Las Vegas

Rob Kachelriess

 🎂 The resort opened on the Las Vegas Strip six decades ago on August 5, 1966 — the same year 

 at the Sands. The mob was still in charge (hello, old friends 👋 ) and Clark County had 

We were about 25 years away from the era of the megaresort, but you could argue Caesars Palace planted the seed for it. The hotel started with about 600 rooms, breaking away from the standard motels and motor lodges on the Strip with a dramatic porte-cochère and a 14-story hotel tower. Over the years, Caesars Palace grew to nearly 4,000 rooms in six towers, including one branded the 

 resort, pioneering another Vegas staple: the hotel-within-a-hotel 🙃 And the 

 helped prove that you can’t truly be a big resort on the Strip without a sprawling shopping mall attached.

With a kitschy, but classic Roman Empire theme, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call Caesars Palace the most iconic hotel in Vegas history. Suites unofficially named after “The Hangover” and “Rain Man” symbolize Sin City excess, whether those movies actually 

. The property has seen its share of wild, often notorious moments: an 

Through it all, the resort helped shape Strip entertainment. Before the Sphere came around, Caesars Palace had the 

, which was later torn down, along with the Circus Maximus showroom for the 

 — a 5,000-seat concert hall that reframed the Vegas residency with 

 by Celine Dion. Caesars Palace also embraced the celebrity chef boom with the likes of 

 this month to celebrate its big anniversary. You can also visit the Mob Museum Aug. 6 for 

Not Built in a Day: The Epic Story of Caesars Palace

, a discussion included with paid admission to learn more about the resort’s history.

Six decades after opening on the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace continues to evolve. 

60 Years of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas

Caesars Palace Celebrates 60 Years in Las Vegas

 quietly opened this week with an official grand opening celebration planned for June. The resort, which has a prime Strip location on the corner of Flamingo Road, has shifted identities over the years, beginning more than 47 years ago as the Barbary Coast.

Michael Gaughan opened the Barbary Coast Hotel and Casino on March 2, 1979, taking over a four-acre lot originally home to the Desert Villa motor lodge, which first welcomed guests in 1952. The name evolved to Empey’s Desert Villa and the Times Square Motel before closing.

 (or nearly $53 million in today’s dollars) to build from the ground up, allowing Gaughan to establish his own identity as a casino operator. He followed the advice of his father, legendary Vegas magnate Jackie Gaughan, who 

believed in the power of operating on corner lots

Other Strip properties, including the Flamingo and Caesars Palace, 

, complaining the new resort would generate too much traffic for the intersection, but Gaughan was able to win approval by the Clark County Commission. A year later, the Barbary Coast would temporarily close to assist survivors of the deadly 

Looking back, the Barbary Coast was a bridge between the eras of the motor lodge and the megaresort, making an impression with Victorian decor and stained-glass murals. The cylindrical neon marquee on the southwest corner of the hotel became closely associated with the Strip itself — and the font for the name would eventually become known as “Barbary Coast block.” With less than 200 rooms and a relatively small casino floor, Michael’s Gourmet Room and Drai’s (a restaurant that 

Gaughan sold the Barbary Coast to Boyd Gaming, which renamed the resort Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon. Eventually, the property landed in the hands of Caesars Entertainment. Plans to rebrand the property as a Gansevoort hotel fizzled out (over 

) before it was revamped as the Cromwell, mixing luxury with vintage Parisian aesthetics and moving Drai’s upstairs next to a new rooftop pool.

The names and identities keep changing, but the bones of the property are pretty much in place at the new Vanderpump Hotel. If you want to relive the history of the Barbary Coast today, a portion of the marquee is 

 and decor from the original Michael’s Gourmet Room, including a stained-glass door and marble floor, is 

The Vanderpump Hotel is now open, but we kinda miss the days when the property was known as something else. 

Remembering the Barbary Coast Hotel and Casino

David Copperfield’s show at the MGM Grand 

 after 25 years. By all accounts, it’s one of the most successful residencies in Strip history, capitalizing on a famous run of CBS television specials in the ‘80s and ‘90s that featured stunts like walking through the Great Wall of China and making the Statue of Liberty disappear.

Before the MGM Grand came calling, Copperfield had a Vegas presence at Caesars Palace, where he performed for 15 years inside the Circus Maximus ballroom. He also hosted a 

 on property that saw the magician escape a straitjacket while hanging from burning ropes 

Much like his stunts, nothing is ever too big for David Copperfield. He 

 in 2016 for $17.55 million, then a record for a Las Vegas home. (Based on his annual 

, he could’ve purchased three of ‘em with change to spare.) Before that, he lived off Tomiyasu Lane in a house (that 

 in 2023) between Sunset Park and Wayne Newton’s Casa de Shenandoah.

Off stage, Copperfield kept a low profile for a local celebrity, stepping out on occasion to represent Vegas at awards shows, 

, claims to help those with “physical, psychological, and social disabilities,” but is almost nonexistent. The nonprofit 

, collectively worth $30,000, to three recipients over the five most recent years of data. Revenue peaked at just over $8,000 in 2020. Last year, 

Copperfield made a greater investment in founding and financing the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, a Vegas warehouse that honors magic with more than 

More artifacts were stored in Copperfield’s four-story New York penthouse, which was 

. The performer also spends time at his own tropical resort, 

, an archipelago of 11 islands in the Bahamas that welcomes private groups of up to 12 guests, 

It’s another Caribbean location — Little Saint James or “Epstein Island” — that could ultimately define how we remember David Copperfield. According to federal evidence, the magician 

 with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and was infamously 

 with co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. Add in 

 by at least 16 women, and you may understand why MGM Resorts is now ending its relationship with the headliner sans fanfare. (Copperfield’s lawyers have denied any wrongdoing, and denied he had any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes).

I crossed paths with David Copperfield exactly one time in Las Vegas — backstage at the MGM Grand before a show. He was very nice. I got a press discount for a front-row table that was actually too close to the stage to soak everything in. (When Copperfield addressed the audience, I could see directly up his nostrils. Not a booger or stray hair in sight. His grooming was impeccable.) The show was fine. There was no Statue of Liberty to make disappear, but his grand finale involved something with a small plane.

You can see it for yourself. Tickets remain for the final three performances tomorrow. Just don’t expect any money you spend to make its way to the Project Magic Fund.

David Copperfield’s Las Vegas Residency Ends: Was He Ever Really One of Us?

Nevada is full of ghost towns. We actually have 

. You can thank a boom-and-bust mining legacy, which left behind a few spooky but historic sites to visit within driving distance of Las Vegas.

Located between Beatty and Death Valley, 

 began as a small camp in 1904, then exploded in size when gold was discovered. It quickly became a full-blown town with street lights, hotels, an opera house, stock exchange, schoolhouse, and dozens of saloons. At its peak, there were 10,000 residents. It all went belly-up by 1920 and the town cleared out. Today, Rhyolite is a fascinating place to see the crumbling remains of a bank, jail, and railroad depot while taking some impressive photos.

 isn’t nearly as well known as Rhyolite, but just an hour or so northwest, making it a relatively easy stop on a ghost town road trip — or 

 🎰 The town was known as Lime Point and Hornsilver before Gold Point stuck. It grew from a cozy mining camp to a town with more than 200 tin and wood structures before fizzling out around World War II. Investor Walt Kremin 

 in the 1980s with a partner who contributed winnings from a Vegas slot machine to the effort and now you can book a night in an old mining cabin, order whiskey from a saloon, and send mail from the original post office.

The place known as “Nelson Ghost Town” southeast of Vegas is actually 51 acres of private property outside Nelson’s official boundaries. Nestled within Eldorado Canyon, it includes the historic 

, which was once the richest place to dig for gold in Nevada — and attracted all sorts of criminals and riff raff hoping to get rich. Today, you can 

 and walk among historic structures. A lot of the “ghost town” elements — like vintage vehicles and gas station pumps — were added over the years. You’ll also spot old planes, including one filmed in a crash scene for the movie “3,000 Miles to Graceland.”

 has the unique distinction of becoming a ghost town twice. Once when left behind by native tribes and another when Mormon settlers were forced to clear out — or risk being flooded by the rising waters created by the construction of the Hoover Dam. Now that Lake Mead is receding, St. Thomas has become visible again, revealing what’s left of old buildings and foundations. Getting there is a little tough, due to a rocky, unpaved access road in Moapa Valley.

Nevada's boom-and-bust mining legacy produced hundreds of ghost towns. A few of them are within driving distance from Las Vegas. 

Ghost Towns Near Las Vegas

The Coolest, Creepiest Ghost Towns Near Las Vegas

 of the Hard Rock’s ever-rising guitar-shaped hotel tower has become a spectator sport in Las Vegas, and while I’m looking forward to seeing it finished — I kinda miss the old place.

The Mirage lasted from 1989 to 2024 at the Hard Rock’s new address, ushering in the era of the “megaresort” and changing Las Vegas for good. The man behind it says its design was based on the three primordial sources of life 💧 🌻 ☀️ 👀

“You’ll notice all the hotels we built depended heavily on the use of water, plants, and indoor-outdoor spaces where the sun was shining,” 

Those elements were reflected in the rainforest atrium, aquariums, and tropical-themed swimming lagoons at the Mirage. Wynn also put his creative stamp on the Bellagio with its conservatory and fountain shows, which remain iconic imprints of Las Vegas today. By the time his own self-titled resort came around, a waterfall was the kind of thing you could see inside a restaurant and floral displays threatened to outpace slot machines on casino floors. (Well, 

 … but you get the idea.) In each case, the goal was to create a hotel that “invites people and makes the place aspirational.”

These musings aren’t coming to light in a memoir or docuseries, but on Instagram, where Wynn might be the social media network’s most active 83 year old. 

 the Strip on the Treasure Island pirate ship.

At times, he almost seems to be chronicling his own career, producing an autobiographical documentary post by post instead of waiting for somebody else to come along and do something more official.

These bite-size news nuggets reveal how Wynn’s influence continues to shape Strip tourism, even while he remains absent from it. The casino giant was effectively booted from the Las Vegas industrial complex after a 

With a mixed legacy, it’s hard to assess if Las Vegas is better off with or without Steve Wynn. But even if he doesn't deserve a like, his account might be worth a follow.

While persona non grata in the Vegas casino industry, Steven Wynn is busy chronicling his life and career on social media.

Steve Wynn: Missing From Vegas, But Active on Instagram

, 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

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. 