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Question of the Day - 08 December 2012

Q:
In a recent QoD, you mentioned quirky Vegas memorabilia living on in other venues. Besides the armadillo disco ball and the San Remo chandelier, what other items live on? It might make an interesting side trip on my next visit.
A:

That's a good question, but with the majority of interesting extant Las Vegas landmarks now having found a home at the Neon Museum, there aren't too many examples we could think of when it comes to incongruous hangovers from yesteryear that still survive in situ.

For those who missed the answer to which you refer (and in which we didn't really go into any details on this aside), the armadillo is known, apparently, as Delilah, and she started out her Vegas life (we're not sure if she had a previous one) at Texas Station in the appropriately named Armadillo Lounge (again, we're not sure which came first, the armadillo or the lounge) and remained in place even after that venue changed names. Now, she has a new home at Revolver, the cowboy-themed late-night hangout at sister property Santa Fe Station.

The San Remo chandelier was even a little OTT when that property was still in action, but became even more incongruous when it turned into the beach-themed Hooters casino back in 2006. Still, we have to give it to the new owners, who couldn't bring themselves to let it go, and it remains to this day above the pit. However, a member of staff we spoke with while researching this answer urged you to go see it soon if you want to, as they're undergoing a remodel and its days there may be numbered...

As to other remnants of Vegas' past, while Elvis has well and truly left the building, there's still a statue of the King outside LVH (it was initially on display in a glass case outside the then Las Vegas Hilton's showroom, but was "downgraded" to a location outside the property's front door in 2006.) If you didn't know anything about Elvis' history at the original International, it might not make much sense, but fans still make an annual pilgrimage.

The only other example we can think of is the horse-riding statue of casino legend Benny Binion, which for 20 years occupied a prominent spot downtown at the corner of Casino Center Boulevard and Ogden Avenue, before the decision was made to move it in 2008 to the equestrian center at South Point, which probably saved it from obliteration.

If anyone out there can think of any other examples we've missed, please drop us a line.

P.S. While we could have included images of the artifacts referred to in this answer, we decided not to, since that would spoil all the fun, especially when it comes to Delilah, who really must be experienced up-close and personal.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

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