Hacienda (resort): Difference between revisions
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== History == |
== History == |
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===Construction and opening=== |
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The Hacienda initially began as a hotel-casino called Lady Luck, which was being planned by Carlton Adair in 1954. Adair had several partners in the project, including Stanley Burke, a Sacramento man who owned the land.<ref name=Dixon>{{cite book |last=Dixon |first=Mead |title=Playing the Cards that Are Dealt |date=1992 |publisher=University of Nevada Oral History Program |pages=83–92 |url=https://archive.org/details/DixonMead/page/n103/mode/2up |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |chapter=Lady Luck and Hacienda}}</ref> Adair also brought in Warren "Doc" Bayley, a travel columnist and owner of several Hacienda motels in [[Fresno, California|Fresno]], [[Bakersfield, California|Bakersfield]], and [[Indio, California]].<ref name=Dixon/><ref name=firstlady/><ref name=Promoter/> Under the deal, Adair and his group would have interest in the casino, while Burke would own the land and buildings. Bayley would be in charge of the hotel portion. The owners hoped to have the project finished before the opening of the [[Tropicana Las Vegas|Tropicana]] resort down the street.<ref name=Dixon/> |
The Hacienda initially began as a hotel-casino project called Lady Luck, which was being planned by Carlton Adair in 1954. Adair had several partners in the project, including Stanley Burke, a Sacramento man who owned the land.<ref name=Dixon>{{cite book |last=Dixon |first=Mead |title=Playing the Cards that Are Dealt |date=1992 |publisher=University of Nevada Oral History Program |pages=83–92 |url=https://archive.org/details/DixonMead/page/n103/mode/2up |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |chapter=Lady Luck and Hacienda}}</ref> Adair also brought in Warren "Doc" Bayley, a travel columnist and owner of several Hacienda motels in [[Fresno, California|Fresno]], [[Bakersfield, California|Bakersfield]], and [[Indio, California]].<ref name=Dixon/><ref name=firstlady/><ref name=Promoter/> Under the deal, Adair and his group would have interest in the casino, while Burke would own the land and buildings. Bayley would be in charge of the hotel portion. The owners hoped to have the project finished before the opening of the [[Tropicana Las Vegas|Tropicana]] resort down the street.<ref name=Dixon/> |
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The Lady Luck project received approval from the Clark County Planning Commission in January 1955,<ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Hotel Project Okayed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/386301480/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 11, 1955 |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Hotels In Plans Stage |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148579363/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=January 11, 1955 |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Big Strip Motel To Be Constructed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148579732/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=January 15, 1955 |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and construction was underway later that year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hofues Signs Stardust Lease |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149642232/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=November 9, 1955 |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Plan 226 Room Luxury Hotel For Reno Area |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149717321/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=December 1, 1955 |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The project struggled to get investors,<ref name=Dixon/> and its financing fell apart before construction reached the halfway mark.<ref name=firstlady>{{cite news|title=Gambling's First Lady runs empire|newspaper=Victoria Advocate|date=November 26, 1965|agency=AP|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5NlHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KYAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=7027%2C3201510}}</ref> Bayley took over the project, renamed it the Hacienda, and removed Adair,<ref name=Dixon/> leaving only Bayley and Burke.<ref name=CCTN/> Bayley agreed to lease the property for $55,000 per month for 15 years.<ref name=firstlady /><ref name=Promoter>{{cite news|title=California promoter shows Las Vegas how|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=December 11, 1962|first=Howard|last=Kennedy|url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/168232724/}} {{subscription required|via=ProQuest}} [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/381430467/ Alternative] at Newspapers.com.</ref> |
The Lady Luck project received approval from the Clark County Planning Commission in January 1955,<ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Hotel Project Okayed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/386301480/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 11, 1955 |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Hotels In Plans Stage |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148579363/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=January 11, 1955 |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Big Strip Motel To Be Constructed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148579732/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=January 15, 1955 |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and construction was underway later that year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hofues Signs Stardust Lease |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149642232/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=November 9, 1955 |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Plan 226 Room Luxury Hotel For Reno Area |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149717321/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=December 1, 1955 |accessdate=November 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The project struggled to get investors,<ref name=Dixon/> and its financing fell apart before construction reached the halfway mark.<ref name=firstlady>{{cite news|title=Gambling's First Lady runs empire|newspaper=Victoria Advocate|date=November 26, 1965|agency=AP|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5NlHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KYAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=7027%2C3201510}}</ref> Bayley took over the project, renamed it the Hacienda, and removed Adair,<ref name=Dixon/> leaving only Bayley and Burke.<ref name=CCTN/> Bayley agreed to lease the property for $55,000 per month for 15 years.<ref name=firstlady /><ref name=Promoter>{{cite news|title=California promoter shows Las Vegas how|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=December 11, 1962|first=Howard|last=Kennedy|url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/168232724/}} {{subscription required|via=ProQuest}} [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/381430467/ Alternative] at Newspapers.com.</ref> |
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In 1957, a few months after the opening, Kozloff filed a [[writ of attachment]] against the Hacienda, alleging that he was owed $71,000 from a loan he made to the property. The hotel posted a bond which nullified the writ.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hacienda Hotel Bond Is Posted |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147756206/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=January 2, 1957 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Newly Opened Vegas Casino Posts $71,128 Bond After Attachment Writ Is Issued |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/78924998/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=January 3, 1957 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Three months later, Burke made various allegations against Bayley and requested that the Hacienda be placed into [[receivership]]. Bayley denied the allegations, which included a claim that he had mishandled finances.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hotel Receiver Move Resisted By Management |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147783652/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=April 15, 1957 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Fund Accounting Of Hotel Asked |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/78959599/ |work= |date=April 16, 1957 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Later that year, plans were being made to add additional hotel rooms.<ref>{{cite news |title=Contract Awarded for Big Addition To Hotel in Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/79013215/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=November 14, 1957 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> |
In 1957, a few months after the opening, Kozloff filed a [[writ of attachment]] against the Hacienda, alleging that he was owed $71,000 from a loan he made to the property. The hotel posted a bond which nullified the writ.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hacienda Hotel Bond Is Posted |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147756206/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=January 2, 1957 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Newly Opened Vegas Casino Posts $71,128 Bond After Attachment Writ Is Issued |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/78924998/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=January 3, 1957 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Three months later, Burke made various allegations against Bayley and requested that the Hacienda be placed into [[receivership]]. Bayley denied the allegations, which included a claim that he had mishandled finances.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hotel Receiver Move Resisted By Management |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147783652/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=April 15, 1957 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Fund Accounting Of Hotel Asked |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/78959599/ |work= |date=April 16, 1957 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Later that year, plans were being made to add additional hotel rooms.<ref>{{cite news |title=Contract Awarded for Big Addition To Hotel in Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/79013215/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=November 14, 1957 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> |
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===Promotion=== |
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Bayley devised numerous ideas to promote the resort.<ref name=40year/> Shortly after its opening,<ref>{{cite news |title=Plane Service Probe Launched |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147805688/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=January 23, 1957 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> he formed Hacienda Airlines, offering packages that included transportation from [[Los Angeles]] to the Hacienda as well as a room and some [[casino chip]]s.<ref name=oln1>{{cite web |url= http://www.onlinenevada.org/casino_shuttle_airlines |title= Casino Shuttle Airlines |accessdate=2007-09-04 |format= |date= 2007-01-15}}</ref> The airline service proved to be successful, prompting Bayley to increase the number of planes. Its success was attributed to low fares, frequent advertising in California, and its catering to working-class tourists.<ref name=Bubb>{{cite book |last=Bubb |first=Daniel K. |title=Landing in Las Vegas: Commercial Aviation and the Making of a Tourist City |date=2012 |publisher=University of Nevada Press |isbn=978-0-87417-876-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iGyVDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT98#v=onepage&q&f=false |accessdate=November 7, 2020}}</ref> The airline included [[DC-3]]s, [[DC-4]]s and [[Lockheed Constellation]]s, eventually numbering as many as 30 aircraft.<ref name=oln1/> One plane included a piano bar with actor [[Dick Winslow]], who provided musical entertainment during the ride.<ref name=Bubb/><ref>{{cite web |title=Dick Winslow |url=https://variety.com/1991/scene/people-news/dick-winslow-99130078/ |website=Variety |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |date=February 18, 1991}}</ref> The flights also offered champagne,<ref>{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Erin |title=Welcome to Caesars Air: Midwest cities battle for free Vegas flight |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/as-we-see-it/2012/may/23/vegas-junket-flights-play-more-peanuts/ |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=May 23, 2012}}</ref> and featured young women modeling lingerie for the passengers, who were mostly men.<ref name=Bubb/><ref name=Life/> By the end of 1960, the Hacienda had flown in 150,000 people, making it the largest consumer of California champagne.<ref name=Life>{{cite web |title=Flying Come-on for Gamblers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=900EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA85#v=onepage&q&f=false |website=Life |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |page=83 |date=December 5, 1960}}</ref> |
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The flights eventually stopped in 1962, following an order from the [[Civil Aeronautics Board]] (CAB). The agency alleged that the Hacienda was operating as an airliner, and the resort was not licensed to provide such service. The Hacienda denied this and stated that its guests were flown in for free, saying that they paid only for food and a hotel room. However, because guests paid before boarding the plane, CAB determined that they were essentially paying for a plane fare.<ref name=Bubb/><ref>{{cite news |title=Hacienda Hotel Hits CAB Ban |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148298511/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=May 6, 1961 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Is Las Vegas Hotel Running Own Airline? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/342930031/ |work=Oakland Tribune |date=November 11, 1961 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Champagne Flights: Tours Under Fire |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148271259/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=November 13, 1961 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> |
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[[File:Timm-Cook Cessna 172 LV NV.jpg|thumb|right|The Cessna 172 sponsored by the Hacienda, on display at the [[McCarran International Airport]].<ref name=KSNV/>]] |
[[File:Timm-Cook Cessna 172 LV NV.jpg|thumb|right|The Cessna 172 sponsored by the Hacienda, on display at the [[McCarran International Airport]].<ref name=KSNV/>]] |
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The resort also offered the Hacienda Holiday, a promotional program for tourists in which $10 casino chips were given away as part of a $16 package deal. In 1958, the [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]] licensing board ordered the Hacienda to halt this program, objecting to the fact that the chips were redeemable in the casino. The board said that these chips could be used for other services, but it was opposed to their use in the casino, stating that this would promote gambling.<ref name=CCTN/><ref>{{cite news |title=Casino Chip Giveaway Halted |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15389799/reno-gazette-journal/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=April 17, 1958 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The promotion would be offered for at least the next 20 years, eventually becoming the Hacienda Champagne Holiday.<ref name=CCTN/> |
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From December 1958 to February 1959, the Hacienda sponsored a [[flight endurance record]] when two men took turns flying a [[Cessna 172]] across the southwestern United States for a period of 64 days.<ref name=Jalopnik/><ref name=AOPA>{{cite web |title=Endurance Test, Circa 1958 |url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2008/march/01/endurance-test-circa-1958 |website=[[Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association]] |accessdate=November 3, 2020 |date=March 1, 2008}}</ref><ref name=KSNV>{{cite news |last=Hawley |first=Tom |title=Plane in record-breaking flight remains at McCarran as a piece of history |url=https://news3lv.com/features/video-vault/video-vault-plane-in-record-breaking-flight-remains-at-mccarran-as-a-piece-of-history |accessdate=November 3, 2020 |work=KSNV |date=January 17, 2018}}</ref> However, the promotion did not turn out as planned. Newspapers did not report on the story until 30 days after the plane took off, and they declined to mention the Hacienda.<ref name=CCTN/> Dick Taylor, the Hacienda's general manager, said, "The papers, detecting a publicity stunt, did what they felt they had to do. They deleted the Hacienda name from all reports, and even went so far as to blank out the Hacienda name that was painted so large along the side of the plane."<ref name=40year/> |
From December 1958 to February 1959, the Hacienda sponsored a [[flight endurance record]] when two men took turns flying a [[Cessna 172]] across the southwestern United States for a period of 64 days.<ref name=Jalopnik/><ref name=AOPA>{{cite web |title=Endurance Test, Circa 1958 |url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2008/march/01/endurance-test-circa-1958 |website=[[Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association]] |accessdate=November 3, 2020 |date=March 1, 2008}}</ref><ref name=KSNV>{{cite news |last=Hawley |first=Tom |title=Plane in record-breaking flight remains at McCarran as a piece of history |url=https://news3lv.com/features/video-vault/video-vault-plane-in-record-breaking-flight-remains-at-mccarran-as-a-piece-of-history |accessdate=November 3, 2020 |work=KSNV |date=January 17, 2018}}</ref> However, the promotion did not turn out as planned. Newspapers did not report on the story until 30 days after the plane took off, and they declined to mention the Hacienda.<ref name=CCTN/> Dick Taylor, the Hacienda's general manager, said, "The papers, detecting a publicity stunt, did what they felt they had to do. They deleted the Hacienda name from all reports, and even went so far as to blank out the Hacienda name that was painted so large along the side of the plane."<ref name=40year/> |
Revision as of 20:16, 7 November 2020
Hacienda | |
---|---|
Location | Paradise, Nevada |
Address | 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S[1] |
Opening date | June 1956 (hotel) October 17, 1956 (casino) |
Closing date | December 1, 1996 |
Theme | Mexican |
No. of rooms | 1,980 |
Permanent shows | Lance Burton (1991-96) |
Notable restaurants | Hacienda Grille |
Casino type | Land-based |
Owner | Circus Circus Enterprises (1995-1996) |
Architect | Homer A. Rissman |
Renovated in | 1967, 1979, 1982, 1988, 1990 |
Coordinates | 36°5′19″N 115°10′39″W / 36.08861°N 115.17750°W |
The Hacienda was a hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, that operated from 1956 to 1996. It was one of a chain of four Hacienda properties, with the other three being located in Fresno, Bakersfield, and Indio, California. Each Hacienda featured a distinctive horse and rider sign; the Las Vegas sign is now prominently displayed at the Neon Museum.
Located by itself on the far south end of the Las Vegas Strip, it was the first resort seen by tourists driving up from California. Since it was so far from the other resorts at the time, many people who stayed at the Hacienda would not go elsewhere. The Hacienda was also located close to McCarran International Airport, and at one point they had their own airline, Hacienda Airlines, to fly in gamblers from all over the US. The Hacienda was known for their inexpensive, all-inclusive junkets marketed to American Midwestern retirees.
History
Construction and opening
The Hacienda initially began as a hotel-casino project called Lady Luck, which was being planned by Carlton Adair in 1954. Adair had several partners in the project, including Stanley Burke, a Sacramento man who owned the land.[2] Adair also brought in Warren "Doc" Bayley, a travel columnist and owner of several Hacienda motels in Fresno, Bakersfield, and Indio, California.[2][3][4] Under the deal, Adair and his group would have interest in the casino, while Burke would own the land and buildings. Bayley would be in charge of the hotel portion. The owners hoped to have the project finished before the opening of the Tropicana resort down the street.[2]
The Lady Luck project received approval from the Clark County Planning Commission in January 1955,[5][6][7] and construction was underway later that year.[8][9] The project struggled to get investors,[2] and its financing fell apart before construction reached the halfway mark.[3] Bayley took over the project, renamed it the Hacienda, and removed Adair,[2] leaving only Bayley and Burke.[10] Bayley agreed to lease the property for $55,000 per month for 15 years.[3][4]
The Hacienda was designed by Homer A. Rissman,[11][12] and was built like other Las Vegas properties at the time, with a central building for the casino and restaurants, and motel structures to provide lodging. Rissman designed the project so that each motel building would connect to the casino via glass-walled corridors.[2] Before it opened, the Hacienda included a 300-seat showroom. The owners decided to refocus the space on hosting conventions rather than live entertainment, which instead would be offered in a lounge. The Hacienda did not target top performers, thereby saving the resort money.[13][14]
The hotel portion opened in June 1956.[14][10] Because Bayley and Burke lacked casino experience, they chose Jake Kozloff, a Las Vegas casino investor, to manage the gaming operations.[10] However, the Hacienda was denied a gaming license, as the Nevada Gaming Control Board was opposed to Kozloff's involvement because of past activities.[15][16][17] A gaming license was issued after Kozloff was removed from the project,[10][18] and the casino eventually opened on October 17, 1956.[14] The $6 million Hacienda had 266 rooms and the largest swimming pool on the Las Vegas Strip.[19]
The resort was built on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. It sat alone at the time, surrounded by desert and away from the other resorts on the Strip.[20][21] Gaming executives initially predicted that the Hacienda would struggle due to its location, although the resort prospered for many years. Its remote location ensured that most guests stayed on the property rather than visiting other resorts.[20] The Hacienda was also popular because of its location near the McCarran International Airport, although the resort never had the same success as other Strip properties such as the Dunes and the Sands.[1][22] Because it lacked the same elegance as other resorts on the Strip,[21][23] the Hacienda received the negative nickname "Hayseed Heaven".[24][25][26] The Hacienda was built as a budget resort aimed at attracting families. It included a go-cart track and a miniature golf course for children,[20][25][26] and Las Vegas' first par 3 golf course.[17][27]
In 1957, a few months after the opening, Kozloff filed a writ of attachment against the Hacienda, alleging that he was owed $71,000 from a loan he made to the property. The hotel posted a bond which nullified the writ.[28][29] Three months later, Burke made various allegations against Bayley and requested that the Hacienda be placed into receivership. Bayley denied the allegations, which included a claim that he had mishandled finances.[30][31] Later that year, plans were being made to add additional hotel rooms.[32]
Promotion
Bayley devised numerous ideas to promote the resort.[20] Shortly after its opening,[33] he formed Hacienda Airlines, offering packages that included transportation from Los Angeles to the Hacienda as well as a room and some casino chips.[34] The airline service proved to be successful, prompting Bayley to increase the number of planes. Its success was attributed to low fares, frequent advertising in California, and its catering to working-class tourists.[35] The airline included DC-3s, DC-4s and Lockheed Constellations, eventually numbering as many as 30 aircraft.[34] One plane included a piano bar with actor Dick Winslow, who provided musical entertainment during the ride.[35][36] The flights also offered champagne,[37] and featured young women modeling lingerie for the passengers, who were mostly men.[35][38] By the end of 1960, the Hacienda had flown in 150,000 people, making it the largest consumer of California champagne.[38]
The flights eventually stopped in 1962, following an order from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). The agency alleged that the Hacienda was operating as an airliner, and the resort was not licensed to provide such service. The Hacienda denied this and stated that its guests were flown in for free, saying that they paid only for food and a hotel room. However, because guests paid before boarding the plane, CAB determined that they were essentially paying for a plane fare.[35][39][40][41]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Timm-Cook_Cessna_172_LV_NV.jpg/220px-Timm-Cook_Cessna_172_LV_NV.jpg)
The resort also offered the Hacienda Holiday, a promotional program for tourists in which $10 casino chips were given away as part of a $16 package deal. In 1958, the Clark County licensing board ordered the Hacienda to halt this program, objecting to the fact that the chips were redeemable in the casino. The board said that these chips could be used for other services, but it was opposed to their use in the casino, stating that this would promote gambling.[10][43] The promotion would be offered for at least the next 20 years, eventually becoming the Hacienda Champagne Holiday.[10]
From December 1958 to February 1959, the Hacienda sponsored a flight endurance record when two men took turns flying a Cessna 172 across the southwestern United States for a period of 64 days.[21][24][42] However, the promotion did not turn out as planned. Newspapers did not report on the story until 30 days after the plane took off, and they declined to mention the Hacienda.[10] Dick Taylor, the Hacienda's general manager, said, "The papers, detecting a publicity stunt, did what they felt they had to do. They deleted the Hacienda name from all reports, and even went so far as to blank out the Hacienda name that was painted so large along the side of the plane."[20]
Ownership changes and final years
Bayley died of a heart attack in 1964,[44] and his widow, Judith Bayley, took over the Hacienda.[3][45] At the time, Bayley was the only female casino owner in Las Vegas,[46] earning her a nickname as the "First Lady of Gambling".[47][23][48] She lacked business training,[49] and found the casino operation to be more complicated than initially expected. She lost hundreds of dollars in her first few months.[46] Under her management, the Hacienda offered shuffleboard and babysitting services for guests, maintaining its appeal as a family resort.[47] A lounge, known as the Jewel Box, was remodeled and reopened in 1965, followed by the opening of a keno room. Las Vegas mayor Oran Gragson attended both openings.[50][51]
To focus on the Las Vegas Hacienda, Bayley sold off the California hotels in 1970, with the exception of one located in El Segundo.[49] In December 1971, Judy Bayley died of cancer at the age of 56.[48] Several weeks after her death, it was announced that American Mining and Smelting Inc. would purchase the Hacienda, with plans for expansion and remodeling of the resort.[52] However, the sale was never completed.[53] Later in 1972, the Hacienda was sold for $5 million to a group of buyers,[54][55] which included Allen R. Glick, Paul Lowden, and Eugene Fresch.[56][57][58] Lowden had raised $250,000 to purchase a 15-percent interest in the property, and he also became the resort's entertainment director.[57] Glick said the Hacienda would return to the "friendly image of the past", eliminating nude stage shows that the resort had recently offered.[59] In 1974, the Hacienda became part of Glick's company, Argent Corporation,[55][58] which held a controlling interest. Fresch and Lowden also retained interests.[60][61]
In 1976, Argent announced that it would sell the Hacienda for $21 million to Hawaiian businessman Joseph Gennitti, who would also take over $11 million in debt.[60][62] The deal ended after Gennitti failed to provide Glick with details about financing the purchase. Subsequently, two opposing investment groups began negotiations to purchase the Hacienda.[63] Later that year, state investigators found that money had been skimmed from slot machines at Glick's casinos, including the Hacienda.[57]
In January 1977, it was announced that Lowden, the hotel's president, would purchase the remaining interest from Argent and Fresch for $21 million.[55][58][61] Lowden worked with several individuals to raise money for his purchase. The Nevada Gaming Control Board accused Lowden of being deceitful, alleging that people with questionable records would have hidden interests in the Hacienda and control over it.[61][64] Lowden denied this, stating that he would be the sole buyer. The board recommended against his purchase,[65] but was overridden by the Nevada Gaming Commission. According to commission chairman Harry Reid, there was no evidence of hidden interests. He said that audit agents in the case "didn't do a very good job in their investigation." The sale was completed in July 1977.[66]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Horse%26rider.jpg/220px-Horse%26rider.jpg)
Magician Herbert L. Becker produced, directed and wrote his own show at the Hacienda beginning in 1977. The show ran for two years, on a staggered schedule before Becker went into retirement.
In 1978, the Hacienda began offering deluxe rooms and suites as timeshares. Within two years, the hotel had 3,000 timeshare members. The Hacienda was associated with Resort Condominiums International, an exchange network that allowed timeshare owners to trade their units. A $30 million expansion of the Hacienda was underway in 1980, scheduled for completion later that year. It would add 300 additional rooms to the hotel, which already had more than 500. Also added was a 22,000 sq ft (2,000 m2) convention center,[67] known as the Matador Arena. It hosted monthly, televised matches between professional boxers.[1][68][69] The space was also used for small conventions.[1]
Redd Foxx was a frequent performer at the Hacienda during the late 1980s,[1][11] and he later got married at the Little Church of the West, located then on the Hacienda property.[70] In 1989, Lowden announced plans for a 400-room tower and an expansion of the casino. The $30 million project was expected to finish in 1990.[71] Magician Lance Burton performed at the Hacienda for several years during the 1990s.[1]
In 1995, the Hacienda was purchased by Circus Circus Enterprises from Lowden's Archon Corporation.[72] By this time, it was dwarfed by the many new megaresorts that were being built, in particular the Luxor which had just been recently completed.
The Hacienda's closure was announced in September 1996.[73] On December 1, 1996, the Hacienda was closed to the public after 40 years.[74][75] The implosion began on December 31 at 8:53 p.m. local time, and was notably televised as the culmination of Fox's 1997 New Year's Eve special from Las Vegas (where it aired approaching midnight ET, and featured a cameo by ring announcer Michael Buffer).[76][77] Despite the implosion, parts of the old resort still stood, due to the building not falling into its footprint, but toppling into its parking lot. The next day a wrecking crew was brought in to bring down the remaining parts.[78][79] The resort's horse and rider neon sign was saved and put on display in downtown Las Vegas.
In March 1999, the Hacienda was replaced by the Mandalay Bay.
From 1999 to 2015, the Hacienda name was licensed to the Hacienda Hotel and Casino in Boulder City.
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- Defunct casinos in the Las Vegas Valley
- Defunct hotels in the Las Vegas Valley
- Casinos completed in 1956
- Hotel buildings completed in 1956
- Hotels established in 1956
- 1956 establishments in Nevada
- 1996 disestablishments in Nevada
- Skyscraper hotels in Paradise, Nevada
- Demolished hotels in Clark County, Nevada
- Demolished hotels in the United States
- Buildings and structures demolished in 1996
- Buildings and structures demolished in 1997
- Casino hotels
- Demolished hotels
- Buildings and structures demolished by controlled implosion