This shot from October 1964 is aimed looking up Fremont Street, which in those days was the heart of Las Vegas. "Glitter Gulch" was one appropriate nickname, due to the numerous over-the-top colorful neon signs. Oh, to have been able to see it in its heyday! Now all the biggest, most luxurious hotels and casinos are on Las Vegas Boulevard, which technically isn't even in Las Vegas.
Looking to the left, we see The Mint. According to Wikipedia, The Mint opened in 1957, and in 1988 it was sold and became part of Binion's Horseshoe.
I have some spectacular vintage night shots of Fremont Street that I will be sharing here in the future!
I LOVE THESE!!! My parents always went to The Mint so it made me smile to see that photo. More, I want more!
ReplyDeleteThese are so cool! In the early '80's we used to stay at the Freemont on each visit, it just felt right and the price was right too!
ReplyDeleteThat area looked very different when I went last year (Link)
Love these pics. My grandfather lived in Vegas, so I spent a bit of time there as a child. When Downtown was still the hot spot. I remember how amazing the Mint looked lit up at night. Have to search around and see if my mom has any old photos.
ReplyDeletebeautiful!!
ReplyDeleteBring 'em on Major! I collect old LV memorabilia and love pix of the dame when she was still a classy broad. Baby.
ReplyDeleteLet me register my full approval for vintage Vegas pics. We went here off and on in my youth, tho not as frequent as Disneyland.
ReplyDeleteBesides, I just love '60's schlockitecture...so exuberant and tasteless, it's purely wonderful.
Thank You, Major.
JG
These pictures are so awesome! My favorite singer Patsy Cline played at the Mint in late 1962. We were able to visit Binions Gambling Hall about two years ago (the building that use to be The Horseshoe and the Mint) and saw the old Merri-Mint theater inside which is now their famous poker room. If anyone has any pictures or stories of seeing Patsy Cline at the Mint in 1962, please e-mail me!
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