On This Date: January 27, 1942 Steve Wynn was Born

January 27, 2017

Steve Wynn (born January 27, 1942)  He played a pivotal role in the 1990s resurgence and expansion of the Las Vegas Strip. His companies refurbished or built what are now widely recognized resorts in Las Vegas, including the Golden Nugget, The Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Wynn, and Encore.

The Mirage was the first project in which he was involved in the design and construction of a casino. The $630 million cost to build the facility was financed largely with junk bonds issued by Michael Milken. The property was considered a high-risk venture by the standards then prevailing in Las Vegas because of its high cost and emphasis on luxury. However, it became enormously lucrative and made Wynn a major part of Las Vegas history.

Steve-Wynn

Steve-Wynn SEO of Wynn Resorts

Now, as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Wynn Resorts, Wynn has developed Wynn Las Vegas, which opened on April 28, 2005; Wynn Macau, which opened in September 2006; Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, which opened December 22, 2008; and Encore at Wynn Macau, which opened on April 21, 2010.

As of March 2012, Wynn is the 491st richest man in the world with a net worth of $2.9 billion.

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On This Date: January 27, 1951 First Nuclear Bomb Detonated at Nevada Test Site

Able- First Nuclear Test At the Nevada Test Site January 27, 1951

Able- First Nuclear Test At the Nevada Test Site January 27, 1951

The first nuclear bomb was tested at the Nevada Test Site on January 27, 1951. The Nevada Test Site is located 65 mi northwest of Las Vegas. The series of test was called Operation Ranger it was the fourth American nuclear test. The nuke shot was called  ‘Able’ and it was the first air-dropped nuclear device to be exploded on American soil. The test took place on Frenchman Flat, a dry lakebed in the Nevada Test Site (site 5). The .5-kiloton explosion was the first series to be carried out at the Nevada Test Site. The bomb was dropped by B-50 bombers and exploded in the open air over Frenchman Flat (Area 5).

Photo:  Department of Defense

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On This Date: January 27, 2015 White Castle Opens on the Las Vegas Strip

White Castle

White Castle opens on the Strip

On January 27, 2015 at the stroke of midnight, White Castle opened on the Las Vegas Strip. This is the first White Castle west of the Mississippi River. White Castle has over 400 store located in the Midwestern and Mid-Alantic states. White Castle is famous for their small square shaped burgers served with grilled onions, ketchup, mustard and pickles. Some people refer to these small greasy burgers as “Sliders”. This iconic burger chain follows in a long migration of fast-food to the glittering lights of Las Vegas including: In-n-out, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and Five-guys.

White Castle located on the Las Vegas Strip in the Casino Royale, 3397 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV as is open 24 hours a day.

UPDATE:  In less than 24 hours of the restaurant opening, they had to close to restock and do maintenance.

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On This Date: January 26, 1993, the Dunes Hotel Closed its Doors

January 26, 2017
The Dunes Hotel and Casino

The Dunes Hotel Closed on January 26, 1993

The Dunes Hotel closed it doors on January 26, 1993. It sat where the now famous Bellagio resides on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Flamingo Road. The Dunes was the tenth resort built on the Las Vegas Strip and opened on May 23, 1955. The resort included a 18-hole Championship golf course which ran from Tropicana Ave .to Flamingo Road, it was called the Dunes Miracle Mile.

Photo By: © 1983 Larry D. Moore (CC-BY-SA)

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On This Date: January 25, 2008 Fire at the Monte Carlo Resort

January 25, 2017
Monte Carlo Resort

Monte Carlo Resort and Casino fire broke out on January 25, 2008

On January 25, 2008, at 10:57 AM, a fire broke out on the exterior of the top six floors of the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino. The fire was on the exterior of the building burning the foam facade. The ignition of the facade wall was attributed to welding on a catwalk on the roof. The hotel and casino were evacuated with no major injuries or deaths during the fire, which lasted a little more than an hour. The hotel remained closed for 21 days and an estimated loss of $100 million due to the fire and resulting closure.

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