Main exhibit hall

Clark County Heritage Museum

Henderson, NV (Las Vegas)

The next and final exhibit on the tour of the exhibit hall is a brief history of gaming. Cross over to the left side of the walkway and move to your left about six feet. The display, entitled "Jackpot! Betting on Las Vegas," begins, at far left, with black and white photos that show Paiute Indians gambling in 1875. Next to it to the right is an ornately carved wooden slot machine, which stands against the wall like a short, stout grandfather clock. A placard labeled, "The Gaming Capital: The Early Days," tells that the highest payoff in 1898 was two dollars - but those two dollars could buy you five pair of pants!" Moving along to the right, you will pass more recent gambling innovations such as a video poker machine. Immediately to its right is a life-size poster of Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel boasting a checked sport coat. Mr. Siegel was the notorious owner of the Flamingo Hotel, one of Las Vegas's first casinos built on The Strip in the early 1940s. Pictures of the El Rancho Vegas, the Last Frontier, the Flamingo, the Pair-o-dice, and others are displayed to the right of the poster along with a chronology of Las Vegas hotels.

Finally, about six feet along, is a diorama and display of early gaming equipment and artifacts from various casinos. In a flat-topped glass case at about hip height is a selection from the museum's collection of poker chips and swizzle sticks. Above it, the diorama features, from the right, a green felt-covered craps table set on its side, a roulette wheel, a blackjack table, and at left, suspended on the wall about seven feet up is a sign that beckons "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada."