Vintage Vegas Then & Now

Featuring history where where we were and where we are now.

Las Vegas has come a long way with entertainment and modern culture. Our city is one of the top places to visit in tourism and is known as one of the most popular venues for the adult playground. The city has grown from the thousands up to the low millions in a decade. →View Video

This unique city has something for everyone to see, do and enjoy. Our city has come leaps and bounds to become a family friendly destination.

The oasis has a remarkable history with its desert landscape, museums, and longtime performers remaining on the strip that won't disappoint.  Our featured digital and online edition highlights the many talented performers we interviewed for this issue such as Frankie Scinta, a modern musician with over 20 years on the strip, Murray Sawchuck, and Frank Moreno, a legendary performer.  

We also look back on the remarkable icons of the century with a recap tribute to many talented and well-known performers with a behind-the-scenes look at history with photos you may never have seen from LVCA - The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) Archive Collection that has documented Las Vegas' history and helped promote tourism to Southern Nevada since 1947 and marks the 75th anniversary of its Las Vegas News Bureau collection by curating and presenting some of the most iconic photos of the collection to the public for the first time.

Vegas Then

The collection began as part of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce in 1947 to promote Southern Nevada and its offerings.

Over the years, the collection became a valuable resource for the news media, movies, documentaries, and researchers, with many images garnering worldwide acclaim. With more than 7 million images, 11,000 pieces of film and video, and 1,300 linear feet of manuscripts and artifacts, the archive is estimated to be the world's largest and most comprehensive post-World War II collection of Southern Nevada imagery. The collection is curated by a full-time archivist, who manages it and ensures it is preserved for future generations.  "For decades, the Las Vegas News Bureau has played an integral role in promoting tourism to Las Vegas, documenting and sharing worldwide the sights and sounds of our dynamic city," said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the LVCVA. "We are thrilled to showcase the iconic images that have become synonymous with Las Vegas."

To honor the milestone, a 75th Anniversary Website features some of the most famous photos of the collection throughout the celebration, beginning with the release of the 75 most iconic images based on how frequently the photos have been requested and published. The first photo captured in the collection is also featured. Taken in Downtown Las Vegas on May 15, 1947 the photo captures Helldorado Days. This celebrated Western-themed festival dates back to the 1930s. Additional photo collections including Celebrities, Entertainment, Downtown, Then & Now, Sports, Implosions, and more will be released online regularly throughout the celebration. Other anniversary programming will include resort partner integrations, a social media campaign, and special events.

In 1947, members of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce determined they needed to promote and market Las Vegas to increase tourism and created a fund to accomplish that goal. Known as the Livewire Fund, contributions were made by hotels and motels throughout Southern Nevada to create the Las Vegas News Bureau, which was charged with marketing Las Vegas as "The Entertainment Capital of the World." In 1992, the Las Vegas News Bureau Collection was transferred to the LVCVA, where the collection continues to grow and be shared in marketing and promotional efforts.

"If it were not for the Las Vegas New Bureau, essential elements of the visual history of Las Vegas starting in the late 1940s would not have been recorded and just as important, preserved," said Bob Stoldal, retired television news executive and Las Vegas historian. "From its group of talented film and photographers, the archives of the News Bureau continue to provide a unique record of the development of Las Vegas, as well as Southern Nevada. History comes alive thanks to the Las Vegas News Bureau."

The Underground speakeasy and distillery inside The Mob Museum invites guests to its unforgettable venue to see history and adventure. Visitors are invited to do their finest 1920s-inspired apparel and enjoy live entertainment, prizes, limited-time anniversary cocktails, and the launch of new menu items. Since 2018, the speakeasy's distinctive menu and atmosphere have landed it on several "best cocktail bars in Las Vegas" lists. Meanwhile, the distillery has also received several prestigious awards for its house-distilled moonshine, including receiving the award for "Best Moonshine" at the 2020 International Whiskey Competition.

"Over the past five years, it has been an honor for The Underground to receive recognition for its beverage program and house-distilled moonshines," said Clint Thoman, food and beverage director, The Mob Museum. "Looking toward the next five years, we are excited to continue expanding our beverage program with new Prohibition-inspired cocktails, new house-brewed beers, moonshine flavors, and more." To commemorate the milestone occasion, guests will have the opportunity to savor limited-edition anniversary cocktails as well as new additions to The Underground's menu. Dixie Flats will perform live from 5 to 8 p.m. and Red Penny Arcade will offer jazz sounds from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. The Underground will also be giving away exciting prizes to five guests throughout the evening. Prizes may include a private tour of the distillery, free Museum admission, whiskey club tickets, and more.

If you love history and would like to get a firsthand glimpse of the old Vegas Signs make sure to look at "The Neon Museum", reilluminated the historic Plaza Hotel & Casino sign during a special lighting ceremony and reception after which the sign debuted to the public as a permanent addition to the Museum's collection in its Neon Boneyard. 

"The Plaza is where Las Vegas was born," said Aaron Berger, executive director of The Neon Museum. "Its historical value is invaluable and adding its illuminated logo sign to our permanent collection will offer us the opportunity to enhance our tours with stories about the founding of Las Vegas as a railroad town, the flamboyant Rat Pack era, and how the Plaza has evolved over its 50-year history."

Vegas Scene Spotlight

Behind the scenes Photoshoot with long time performer Murray SawChuck and wife. 

Taken by the creative director for VSM Paul Rodriguez inside the hotel just before final renovations. The photos are taken inside the iconic ballroom where the dynamic couple was married. If you see a show in this room, it will take you back to the old days of Vegas, as the room is still designed with iconic vintage decor.

The power couple for the photo shoot is Murray SawChuck and Dani Elizabeth SawChuck. Murray has always had a dream and desire to perform in Vegas and has done just that, celebrating his residency in Las Vegas for over 20 years.

This one-of-a-kind performer has amassed over 1.8 million people, with his witty sense of humor combined with magic, who is still going strong. We catch up with the renowned showman who recently celebrated his one-year wedding anniversary at the Plaza Hotel and Casino, where he was married in September of last year. Courtesy of Plaza. →Click Here to see full Coverage.

"The Mob Museum", the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, is a world-class destination in downtown Las Vegas.  It presents an exciting and authentic view of the Mob's impact on Las Vegas history and its unique imprint on America and the world.  With tales so intriguing they need no embellishment, The Mob Museum reveals an insider's look at the events and people on both sides of this continuing battle between organized crime and law enforcement.

True stories of Mob history are brought to life in a bold and contemporary style via engaging exhibits and multi-sensory experiences. The Mob Museum puts the visitor in the middle of the action through high-tech theater presentations, iconic one-of-a-kind artifacts and interactive, themed environments. Our concept was roaring 20's theme with -a modern twist of today using models posing inside the museum with a modern flare in style, but capturing the historical venue and highlighting it's history inside the museum.

Vegas Now

Now we are entering another exciting era for modern tourism as many new venues have and are continuing to open such as the New Circa Resort & Casino Launches in Las Vegas. Circa Resort & Casino, Downtown Las Vegas' first resort-casino built from the ground up in four decades, is now open. The 1.25 million-square-foot, adults-only property pays homage to Vegas' Golden Era through vintage design, old-school hospitality and nods to the city's history while introducing high-tech advancements and cutting-edge amenities. Circa's 777-room hotel tower and rooftop lounge, Legacy Club, will open on December 28, 2020, marking the completion of the project.

Bright colors, Vegas tributes and vintage flair define the art collection found at Circa adding a new layer to Downtown Las Vegas' already flourishing arts and culture scene with a portfolio that celebrates the city's history and legacy.
Get ready, burgers and sports fans! Victory Burger & Wings Co. is officially open at Circa, bringing an array of indulgent Gameday fare and premier views overlooking the world's largest sports book. The new eatery will be defined by massive burgers, hearty wings, and photo-worthy milkshakes. Circa debuted two retail concepts in collaboration with Marshall Retail Group (MRG), a WHSmith Company. The venues, Circa Collections and Fuel, will offer guests a selection of apparel, souvenirs, indulgent treats and more.

Another one of the newest top venues downtowns is in a joint venture, Resorts World Las Vegas and Concerts West / AEG Presents have introduced the brand-new Resorts World Theatre, designed by award-winning firm Scéno Plus. Exclusively programmed and operated by AEG Presents / Concerts West, the Resorts World Theatre is a state-of-the-art, 5,000-capacity multi-level live performance venue, set to make its grand debut with the launch of Carrie Underwood's production REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. In addition to Carrie Underwood, the theatre will also play host to world-renowned headliners including Katy Perry, Celine Dion and Luke Bryan.

"In collaboration with AEG, we are excited to introduce our guests to an extraordinary venue integrating world-class talent, innovative design by our partners at Scéno Plus, and cutting-edge technology," said Scott Sibella, President of Resorts World Las Vegas. "The Resorts World Theatre celebrates our customers by delivering on our brand promise of exceeding industry standards through luxury and high-tech multi-sensory experiences."

The seventh performance venue in the Entertainment Capital of the World designed by Scéno Plus, the Resorts World Theatre features the city's largest and tallest stage to date, covering an area of 13,550 square feet. The space, with the furthest seat only 150 feet from the stage, features unobstructed sightlines, fully configurable high-definition LED screens totaling over 5,000 square feet, and an unmatched immersive audio experience through more than 200 L-Acoustics speakers powered by L-ISA Hyperreal Sound technology.

MSG Sphere - The Madison Square Garden Company's presents the MSG Sphere, a state-of-the-art venue that will use cutting-edge visual and audio technologies to create a unique experience for Las Vegas tourists and locals alike. Stay tuned to all things Vegas with Vegas Scene as we keep you posted for the latest who, what, when and where for Las Vegas.

Cindy Rodriguez
Courtesy of: LVCVA & Circa Resort & Casino