DK Travel : Las Vegas : History & Culture

Las Vegas : History & Culture

Christmas Day, 1946: Bugsy Siegel Opens the Flamingo Hotel

A handful of hotels and motels followed El Rancho, but only when mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel built the Flamingo Hotel was the hitherto Wild West feel of the town replaced with the Miami Beach style that was to become the hallmark of the Strip.
Clara Bow

Silent film star Clara Bow, who became known as the “It Girl,” lived in Las Vegas with actor husband Rex Bell.
Debbie Reynolds

The film star was also owner of a hotel-casino and museum of Hollywood memorabilia.
Howard Hughes

The eccentric billionaire used his inheritance to make still more money in the film and airline industries before becoming a force in gambling.
Jerry Lewis

The comedian who famously teamed up with singer Dean Martin still has a solo act in town.
Liberace

Wladziu Valentino Liberace – aka Mr Show Business – opened at the Riviera in 1955 and never looked back.
Phyllis McGuire

The entertainer is fondly remembered as one of the singing McGuire Sisters.
Robert Goulet

The actor/entertainer is a veteran of such hit Broadway musicals as Carousel and The Man from La Mancha .
Surya Bonaly

The former women’s figure-skating champion now performs professionally.
Wayne Newton

In 1957, 15-year-old Newton started at the Fremont; he is still performing in Las Vegas today.