El Rancho Vegas was a casino on the Las Vegas Strip that opened in 1941 and closed in 1960. The casino was a hit with tourists and locals alike, but it wasn’t without its controversies. Rumors persist that the casino was frequented by mobsters, and it was the site of a number of high-profile murders. But despite the drama and crime, the casino was an iconic part of the early Vegas landscape and its legacy is still remembered today.

El Rancho Vegas was situated on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue. The sprawling complex included a casino, multiple dining options, a swimming pool and cabanas, a showroom and shopping. It was originally opened by marquee Hollywood actor/director/producer Thomas Diberti, who had fresh success with his film “The Perils of Pauline”. The casino was designed to create an Old West atmosphere and it was thoughtfully decorated with wagon wheels and rustic farm implements. By 1941, the casino had become so popular that an expansion was necessary and the property was doubled in size.

The casino was the site of some of the earliest examples of “Vegas-style” gaming, with tables offering Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and other games. There was also a small “high-stakes” room in the back for particularly daring players. Slot machines were also available, and El Rancho is credited with introducing the first slot machines in Las Vegas.

The dining options at El Rancho Vegas were extensive, to say the least. The Kitchen was the primary restaurant, a fine dining establishment serving gourmet American cuisine. The Candlelite Room was a second dining option, offering continental cuisine. For those looking for a quicker, cheaper meal, there was a 24-hour coffee shop and a lunch counter.

The atmosphere at El Rancho Vegas was always bustling and the casino regularly attracted big-name celebrities. Marilyn Monroe visited the casino in 1947 and was believed to gamble there on a regular basis. Liberace was a frequent performer in the showroom, and Mae West was a regular at the craps tables. Other famous names who were connected to the casino included Tony Martin, Martha Raye, and Humphrey Bogart.

In 1956, El Rancho Vegas became the setting for a grisly murder that made national headlines. A young woman named Frances Tucker was found dead in a hotel room at the casino, strangled to death and stuffed into a suitcase. The case remains unsolved, though the prime suspect was never convicted. Nonetheless, the incident caused a sensation and the casino’s reputation was tarnished.

El Rancho Vegas finally succumbed to the pressures of the increasingly competitive Las Vegas Strip market and closed its doors in 1960. The property was quickly acquired by a group of business-minded investors and reopened as the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino. The new casino had a distinctly modern vibe and was much more successful than El Rancho Vegas had been.

Now, El Rancho Vegas is more of a relic than anything else. The former casino site is now a shopping mall, though the original signs still hang outside and the legacy of El Rancho Vegas lives on in the collective memory of Las Vegas locals. Despite its shortcomings and controversies, the casino’s status as one of the first real Las Vegas casinos gives it an important place in the Strip’s history.

El Rancho Vegas provided a number of amenities and services during its brief tenure. At the casino itself, visitors could take advantage of the wide variety of gaming options and the house edge was relatively low. The casino also offered a 24-hour coffee shop, a lunch counter and the exquisite gourmet restaurant The Kitchen. The casino also had a vibrant showroom, where acts such as Liberace, Mae West and Tony Martin regularly performed.

The biggest draw for El Rancho Vegas was its outdoor swimming pool and cabanas. The pool was a popular destination for tourists and locals alike and it was regularly visited by Hollywood celebs. The pool area was also the site of various pool parties and events, which made it a hot spot for the social scene.

At El Rancho Vegas, guests also had access to a well-stocked souvenir shop, where they could pick up unique mementos to take back home. The casino also provided an onsite laundry area and a host of other amenities and services. Casino staff members were always available to answer any questions or help with anything guests might need.

El Rancho Vegas may have closed its doors long ago, but it remains an iconic casino in Las Vegas’ past. It was one of the earliest examples of “Vegas-style” gaming and it was frequented by many Hollywood celebs. Though its legacy is marred by a grisly murder, El Rancho Vegas still lives on in the collective memory of Las Vegas locals.