Castaways (casino)

This article is about the Las Vegas Strip casino. For the Boulder Strip casino, see Castaways Hotel and Casino.
Castaways Casino
Location Paradise, Nevada
Address Las Vegas Boulevard
Opening date 1963
Closing date July 1987 (July 1987)
Theme Polynesia
Number of rooms 1,700
Total gaming space 35,000 sq ft (3,300 m2)
Signature attractions Gateway to Luck
Casino type Land
Owner Howard Hughes
Previous names Sans Souci
Coordinates 36°07′16″N 115°10′31″W / 36.12111°N 115.17528°W / 36.12111; -115.17528Coordinates: 36°07′16″N 115°10′31″W / 36.12111°N 115.17528°W / 36.12111; -115.17528

The Castaways was a hotel and casino in Paradise, Nevada that operated from 1963 to 1987 on the Las Vegas Strip.

History

Sans Souci Hotel

The land that the Castaways was built on was first used in 1931 for the Red Rooster Nite Club. That structure was destroyed by a fire in 1933 and it was rebuilt. In 1942, the San Souci Auto Court was built next to the Red Rooster. Later it was absorbed by the Sans Souci Hotel, Inc., which in October 1957 opened the Sans Souci Hotel.

Castaways Casino

In 1963, the property became the site of the Castaways Hotel & Casino. The latter experienced financial trouble and was sold and renamed Oliver's New Castaways Casino. During the 1960s, the hotel had a 1500-gallon aquarium in its bar. Three times a day a show was put on by naked women in the aquarium.[1]

In February 1970, the Castaways was sold to billionaire Howard Hughes for $3 million as part of his spree of buying Las Vegas properties.

The resort operated until July 1987, when it and the surrounding property were purchased by Steve Wynn. Wynn then proceeded with his plans to develop a new resort on the Castaways' former grounds using the working name Golden Nugget on the Strip.

The resort became Mirage and opened on November 22, 1989.

Attractions

Gateway to Luck

A historic wooden temple St. Louis Jain temple, originally a part of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, stood besides the pool. It has now been reconstructed at the Jain Center of Southern California, Los Angeles.

References

  1. Padgett, Sonya (2008-01-03). "LIVE ART: FLIPPING OVER FISH". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

External links

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