Monthly Archives: May 2017

On This Date: May 21, 2010, The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Opened

May 21, 2017
Lou Ruvo

Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health – Designed by Frank Gehry

The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, officially the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, opened on May 21, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada that is operated by the Cleveland Clinic and was designed by world-renowned architect, Frank Gehry of Gehry Partners in Santa Monica, California.

The Lou Ruvo Center sits on the corner of  West Bonneville and South Grand Central Parkway in Downtown Las Vegas.

Photo By: lasvegas360.com

 

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On This Date: May 20, 1964 Viva Las Vegas Was Released

May 20, 2017
Viva Las Vegas Love in Las Vegas

MGM’s ‘Viva Las Vegas’ 1964 Movie Poster

On this Date, May 20, 1964, the movie ‘Viva Las Vegas’ was released, starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. Viva Las Vegas, also known as ‘Love in Las Vegas’, is a 1964 American romantic musical movie starring music icon Elvis Presley and actress Ann-Margret.

The film is regarded by fans and by film critics as one of Presley’s best movies, and it is noted for the on-screen chemistry between Presley and Ann-Margret.

Location filming took place in Las Vegas area locations including: the parking lot of the Sahara Hotel, Lake Mead Marina, a drag strip in the suburb of Henderson, at the old frontier hotel on the Las Vegas strip, a skeet shooting range at the Tropicana Hotel, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas gymnasium, McCarran Airport and the swimming pool at the Flamingo Hotel.

 

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On this Date: May 18, 2016 IKEA opens in Las Vegas

May 18, 2017
IKEA opens in Las Vegas on May 18, 2016

IKEA opens in Las Vegas on May 18, 2016

The Swedish base home furnishing store opened in Las Vegas on May 18, 2016.
The chain first announced plans in 2014 for a location along Durango Drive and Sunset Road just north of the 215 Beltway. Construction followed soon after.

Last month, IKEA began hiring 300 workers to man the business.

The store boast 351,000 square feet of shopping space 2,300 parking spaces, 300 employees and 3620 rooftop solar panels. The store to features three model home interiors, 43 room-settings, a supervised children’s play area and a 450-seat restaurant, which serves IKEA’s popular menu of Swedish meatballs and lingonberries.

The current closest locations to Las Vegas are in Arizona, Utah and Southern California, according to IKEA.

The Las Vegas store is the 42nd IKEA to open in the United States.

Photo by: IKEA

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On This Date: May 18, 1985, Wet ‘n Wild opened on the Las Vegas Strip

Wet-n-Wild-waterpark-Las-Vegas-1990-5

Wet ‘n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990’s

On this Date, May 18, 1985 Wet ‘n Wild opened at the North end of the Las Vegas Strip at 2601 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas Strip Wet ‘n Wild was a 27-acre water park located on the Las Vegas Strip next to the Sahara Hotel. If featured water rides: Willy Willy, Der Stuka / Bomb Bay / Blue Niagra, Royal Flush, Suntan Lagoon, Lazy River, Dragon’s Den (former Banzai Banzai), Surf Lagoon, Kids Park, Raging Rapids, Plaza Pool (former Bubble Up), Black Hole & Whitewater Slideways and Beach Club.

The park closed in September 2004 to make way for the now defunct and never completed Fontainebleau Resort.

Editor’s Note: From personal history, my roommate was a lead lifeguard from the opening date, problems that occurred included: the Lazy River had too many pumps running causing the river to flow too fast. The water slides had ran too fast, which lead to some patrons flying over the sides and landing on the ground below. additionalprotective sides had to be added to extend the height. The concrete walkways had to be acid washed every night, due the falls on the slick surface. I spent the opening summer there hanging out with lots of staff during and after work.

Wet 'n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990's

Wet ‘n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990’s

Wet-n-Wild-waterpark-Las-Vegas-1990-2

Wet ‘n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990’s

Wet-n-Wild-waterpark-Las-Vegas-1990-3

Wet ‘n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990’s

Wet-n-Wild-waterpark-Las-Vegas-1990-4

Wet ‘n Wild Waterpark Las Vegas Strip 1990’s (Der Stuka)

 

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On This Date: May 16, 2011 the Sahara Hotel and Casino Closed

May 16, 2017
Sahara Hotel & Casino

Sahara Hotel & Casino Closed on May 16, 2011

On May 16, 2011 the Sahara Hotel and Casino closed. The Sahara Resort was anchored on the north end of the Las Vegas Blvd. and Sahara Ave and was the sixth resort to open on the “Strip”. It was in operation from October 7, 1952 until May 16, 2011 as the Sahara Hotel.

In late 1954, the hotel hired jazz musician Louis Prima to be their late night lounge act, one of the earliest ones on the Las Vegas Strip. A long list of headliners followed: included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, Jack Benny, Paul Anka,  and George Carlin to mention a few. The resort was the site of the annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon for many years, mostly in the 1970s, and for a brief time in the 1990s.

The hotel had 1,720 guestrooms and suites with a casino covering more than 85,000 sq. ft. To this day the hotel remains closed and is currently under construction and scheduled to reopen in Fall 2014 as the SLS Las Vegas.

Photo By: Wikimedia Commons

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On This Date: May 15, 1905 Las Vegas Was Born

May 15, 2017
Las Vegas Map 1905

Las Vegas Town Site Map in 1905

On May 15, 1905, Las Vegas officially was founded as a city, when 110 acres (600 plots of land) in what would later become downtown, were auctioned to ready buyers.  In two days, the 110-acres bounded by Stewart Avenue and Garces Avenue and Main Street and 5th Street (now Las Vegas Boulevard) were sold.

Union Pacific Steam Train No 844 Visits Downtown Las Vegas

Union Pacific Steam Train No 844 Visits Downtown Las Vegas November 22, 2011

Map: http://digital.library.unlv.edu
Photo by: Lasvegas360.com

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