Can You Give Us the History of the El Cortez?

I hear the El Cortez is celebrating its 80th anniversary this November. Can you give us the history of this vintage property?

The El Cortez opened in November 1941 and occupied a half-city-block a little beyond congested downtown on Fremont Street between Sixth and Seventh streets, just outside the original Las Vegas town site. Downtown's first major resort, it cost $160,000 to build, sported a Spanish Ranch theme, and boasted 59 rooms; those original rooms can still be rented today in the Vintage tower with stairway access from the casino floor.

In 1945, the builders sold the El Cortez to Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and several other partners for $600,000, thus rendering it Las Vegas' first mob-owned hotel-casino. Only a couple of years later when the mobsters moved down to the just-opened Flamingo, one of the original owners bought back the property and invested a quarter-million to open a barbershop, swimming pool, night spot, and additional hotel rooms.

In 1952, the distinctive neon arrow, marquee, and sign were installed; 69 years later, they still grace the roof of the casino.

In 1963, Jackie Gaughan bought the El Cortez. In 1980, he built Tower II, bringing the room count to 297.

Gaughan and his wife Roberta Mae lived in a penthouse apartment on the 15th floor at the El Cortez till her death at age 75 in 1996; subsequently, he lived there alone. He owned the property till he passed away in 2014 at the age of 93. The suite is a time capsule, much of it preserved as it was since the 1980s. It can be rented now for around $500 a night.

In 2008, Jackie sold the El Cortez to long-time friend and partner Kenny Epstein, so it remains one of the few family owned and operated hotel-casinos in Las Vegas. Kenny Epstein is also celebrating his 80th birthday this year.

On the National Register of Historic Places, the El Cortez has been preparing for its 80th by investing $25 million in renovations, including new carpeting throughout, a renovated high-limit room, and an updated hotel lobby. A fireworks show will mark the momentous occasion on November 6 at 9 p.m., with complimentary champagne, a $35,000 giveaway, and a roaming mariachi band.

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[email protected] Nov-02-2021

Interesting History

One question.  In one paragraph you say Gaughan owned the property until his death in 2014, but then in the next you say he sold it in 2008.  I'm sure there's an explanation, maybe he had a minority interest for those 6 years.  Would you please clarify?  Thanks!

Dan McGlasson Nov-02-2021

GREAT QOD

I always enjoy the historical QoD's!  Downtown LV has such a rich history of development.  Not just Fremont Street but all the area downtown.  I noticed that the builders sold the El Cortez to the Lansky et al group.  You have to wonder what pressure was put on the builders to make that sale.  Again Deke - great question and thanks for keeping the history of LV coming to us!

Reno Faoro Nov-02-2021

jackie gaughan

MR.GAUGHAN  PLAYED POKER ALMOST DAILY IN 'HIS' small poker room . Went down as a  true  VEGAS GENTLEMAN. He would walk daily, when able , down to his other casinos in partner with MEL EXBER , the  PLAZA and THE LAS VEGAS CLUB .After selling to  EPSTEIN, THEY    agreed JACkIE would live there till his death . RIP.

Dave Nov-02-2021

reply to Ischulz

Just saw Reno explained the situation with Jackie living there after he sold it. I don't remember the guys name, but he had a helper (kind of a mob sounding fellow) that would walk him down to the poker room and set him up with $100 in chips and a martini. I played right next to Jackie a couple times, he had a saying for almost every action he took at the table (a ryhme for folding his hand, for example). One night, his helper overheard me talking to my friend about our plans for later on and he told me "Hey, How's about me and Jackie here going out wit you boys tonight?" He was only half kidding (I think).

Kevin Lewis Nov-02-2021

Jackie in the morning

A memory from long ago: playing video poker all night and at about 5:00 in the morning, an impeccably dressed Jackie Gaughan walking through the casino with a big bucket of quarters, dumping a handful in everyone's tray (yeah, that long ago).

Teeye Nov-02-2021

El Cortez

Jackie Gaughan was one of the finest gentlemen in Las Vegas history. I met him once. The El Cortez continues to be my go-to spot in Vegas.

AL Nov-02-2021

1 little correction

The group of rooms that existed when the El Cortez was built were not in a tower. Those rooms are all on 1 floor (not several floors which is what "tower" implies), which is one level above the casino; the group of rooms are located in the southwest corner of the building. The rooms are called the "Vintage" rooms. Even the "Pavilion" rooms that were built decades later are not a tower; they are a single-level block of rooms built on the roof in the southeast corner of the building. Forgetting about the Cabana Suites that are in an entirely different building across the street to the north, the El Cortez building has only 1 tower, and it is called The Tower (as in: the Tower rooms). But regardless, the building is the greatest bearer of old Vegas nostalgia out of all LV casinos. Walk along its front side on Fremont Street and around the mini-business area in the Vintage section, and look at the roof signage from higher up, to experience the old architectural charm.

Question of the Day - 02 November 2021

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