Las Vegas around 1942 was a very different place. Here you go, short and sweet. But when I get started, I can go on and on.
Helldorado was the highlight of any year. We took out-of-towners to the Green Shack, where they had great food and ambience. The small band knew everyone and played their special song when they entered. Another hotspot was the lounge at the Apache Hotel, which was where the southwest corner of Binion's now stands. Of course, we'd go to the new roadside hotspot, El Rancho Vegas, where they had chateaubriand for two for $5 and big-name acts.
At McCarran Airport, you got out of the car and walked through a chain-link gate and up the steps onto the Western Airlines flight, which was $35 to L.A.
There was one hospital and two theaters -- the El Portal and the Huntridge Theater -- in the new upscale Huntridge neighborhood.
There was one department store, Ronzone's. There were no supermarkets, just corner groceries. One was Gilbert's.
All of the big casinos were on Fremont Street between Main and Sixth. The El Cortez was new and only a single story.
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