Hidden History Chasing Shadows in Las Vegas Landmarks

The history of Las Vegas has an unusual adversary: the people who own its landmarks. Portions of “Star Trek: The Experience” still exist at the Westgate, despite the constant evolution of the city that often erases its own history. The Desert Inn, Sands, Dunes, Stardust, and now even the Tropicana — all iconic parts of the Strip’s early days — have disappeared.

The Neon Museum serves as a historical record, yet there are hidden remnants scattered around the city, ones that time and demolition crews have overlooked. One such relic is “Star Trek: The Experience,” which opened in January 1998 at the Las Vegas Hilton, currently the Westgate. The attraction featured an immersive adventure where guests found themselves on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, tasked with a mission by characters from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Following this, they entered a domed theater for a shuttle ride simulation, complete with Klingon encounters. Although the attraction shut down in September 2008 and plans to reopen it at the Neonopolis Mall fell through, many components like lights and hatches remain. Today, if visitors take a left near the entrance of the Westgate into the Preview Center and walk towards the monorail, they might stumble upon these remnants. However, the area is now an office for timeshare salespeople, who are jokingly referred to as the most formidable adversaries.

Another hidden piece of history is the remains of the Holiday Casino’s riverboat façade, visible from within Harrah’s Casino. The Holiday Casino opened in July 1973, driven by investors including Shelby Williams. Following Williams’ death in 1977, his wife Claudine took over. Holiday Inn, initially a partial investor, acquired full ownership by 1983. A significant renovation in 1990 expanded the casino, transforming it into an even larger riverboat. In 1992, the name changed to Harrah’s, which owned the Holiday Inn. Harrah’s revamped the theme again in 1997 to a Mardi Gras motif, yet a fragment of the original boat structure remains. Accessible only with insider connections, the best view of this artifact is from a backstage window in one of the theaters.

Meanwhile, remnants of the original Mint can be still be observed at Binion’s Gambling Hall, previously Binion’s Horseshoe. The Mint was absorbed into Binion’s in 1988, and the hotel rooms were closed in 2009. However, a small section of the pink Mint sign and a wooden wall are visible in the stairway leading down to the Whiskey Licker Up Saloon. While an adventurous writer once gained roof access to the shuttered tower via a fire escape at the adjoining Hotel Apache, this is strongly discouraged.

In 1989, MGM purchased the Marina Hotel to pave the way for the new MGM Grand. The original structure, known for being the location of the second deadliest hotel fire in American history, effectively became Bally’s and later Horseshoe Las Vegas. Yet, the Marina wasn’t demolished; it was enveloped by the MGM Grand, its west wing blending into the new construction. Unbeknownst to many, rooms in this wing are smaller and less expensive due to their origins.

The impetus for Las Vegas’s existence stems from the railways that traverse the terrain. Originating from the early 20th century, the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad connected these regions. To justify a stop on this route, the owners initiated the development of Las Vegas. Land auctions in 1905 facilitated the growth of a town where previously only ranches and an old Mormon fort stood. Today, the Golden Gate Hotel, originally Hotel Nevada, still showcases the first phone in the town, having the number “1.”

With the original railroad station replaced by the Art Deco version in 1940 and subsequently the Union Plaza Hotel in 1971, a unique feature emerged. The Plaza Hotel’s Amtrak station was the only one inside a casino. Although passenger trains ceased in 1997, a piece of this railway history remains as an employee break room. A mural commemorates the bygone Amtrak days between a Subway and a gym.

In a city known for perpetual reinvention, these vestiges of the past offer a surprising glimpse into the storied evolution of Las Vegas. They are hidden fragments of history that reveal the layers beneath its ever-changing façade.