DID YOU KNOW?: 5 things that make downtown unique

name/paperXyxyxxyxyx jim miller/VIEWThe El Cortez, 600 E. Fremont St., boasts original signage that dates back to 1946, when the property was renovated after its sale to Meyer Lansky. View file photoElvis impersonator Brendon Paul prepares to perform for a wedding at the Graceland Wedding Chapel, 619 Las Vegas Blvd. South, in July 2007. View file photoRenovations at Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave., will include replacing old playground equipment. The $11.4 million improvement project is expected to be completed in the second quarter. Advertisement

Downtown Las Vegas is nothing if not eclectic.

The area is a peculiar fusion of rich history, a burgeoning arts scene, landmark casinos and themed wedding chapels. It is that diverse character that contributed to the mixture of downtown-oriented updates, facts and details you will find herein.

Famous folks who got hitched here

"Only in Las Vegas can you be married by Elvis or Dracula," resident Jesse Randallstet said.

Randallstet was married in a Halloween monster-themed wedding in the downtown area almost three years ago.

"That's what's so great about this town," he said. "It's about having fun, and being you and not being judged for it. Something serious like a wedding, you can just do your way."

Randallstet is in good company.

The rich and the famous also flock to Las Vegas for nuptials. Folks such as actor Lorenzo Lamas, rocker Jon Bon Jovi and Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins each did the deed at the Graceland Wedding Chapel, 619 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

"Baywatch" actress Carmen Electra and Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman said their vows at A Little Chapel of Flowers, 1717 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

"When it comes to quickie and quirky, you can't beat the chapels downtown," Randallstet said. "I think even celebrities can't say no to that."

Signage from a bygone era

The El Cortez, 600 E. Fremont St., is a relic from another time. It has the unique distinction of being one of the still-operating properties from an era when mobsters still ran the show.

The property, which opened in 1941, was built by Marion Hicks and J.C. Grayson.

"There's a lot of history here," general manager Mike Nolan said. "Many of our guests comment on the almost tangible feel that the property has seen so much Nevada history."

The El Cortez was sold to Meyer Lansky, who placed infamous mobster Ben "Bugsy" Siegel in charge of the property, in 1945. The property was renovated in 1946.

According to Nolan, when Siegel was instructed to move on to other projects, namely, running the Flamingo Hotel, wiseguys Moe Sedway and David Berman took over.

"When Bugsy met his demise, the guys moved on," Nolan said.

In 1963, new owner Jackie Gaughan added the Pavilion Rooms to the property.

Gaughan was the first licensed boxing promoter in the state, and according to Nolan, many of the early matches were hosted at the El Cortez.

"Jackie is really the last of a cast of living legends," Nolan said. "He is a part of the property. He's a part of the history that is downtown. He's the downtown of Benny Binion and Sam Boyd."

Gaughan, at one time, owned 30 percent of the casino properties in the downtown area and still resides at the El Cortez.

Nolan said that the property, one of the oldest still in operation, is one of a few casinos that has never renovated the façade.

"The signage that is up today is what was there in 1946," Nolan said. "The building is the same building that opened in 1941. We believe that the history of our property is a great part of its charm."

Making a scene

Las Vegas has always been a popular filming locale for movies, according to Ed Harran, assistant director of the Nevada Film Office, 555 E. Washington Ave., No. 5400.

The downtown area, with its eclectic feel and visually historic dynamic, is drawing more and more filmmakers to the city.

"Downtown is cool," Harran said. "Shooting (a movie) anywhere in Nevada is great for the economy, in general. But it's great to see the downtown area get a boost."

The list of flicks filmed, at least partially in the area, includes "My Blueberry Nights" starring Jude Law and Norah Jones, "Magic Man," with actor Billy Zane, "Bugsy," "Cool World," "Stakeout," "Casino," "Con Air," "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and the 2009 release "St. John of Las Vegas," starring Steve Buscmemi.

Harran said that locales such as the Fremont Street Experience are drawing film crews to the city's more mature regions.

"It's also cool to see how the city has changed on film," Harran said.

According to Harran, when partial scenes for the James Bond movie "Diamonds are Forever" were shot in Las Vegas years ago, it was interesting to observe how the backdrop of downtown had evolved from the shooting of the original "Ocean's Eleven," which featured members of the Rat Pack in and around the vicinity during the 1970 shoot.

"In 1970, there was no canopy of lights. Many of the attractions that are there now didn't exist," he said. "It's neat to watch how things have changed."

Renovations at city parks

The eastern half of the 60-acre Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave., closed in early fall to accommodate construction crews that will implement $11.4 million worth of improvements.

According to Debby Ackerman, city of Las Vegas Department of Public Works public information officer, work to renovate the park's tennis courts and softball fields, improve field lighting and construct a new special events area, playground and additional parking spaces will begin in April.

Events scheduled to take place at Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza, Nevada State Museum, Nevada Garden Park Society Rose Garden and the fishing pond move forward as planned.

"There will be fewer parking spaces available while work is under way," Ackerman said.

The project is slated for completion sometime in the second quarter of this year.

Crews also began work on a $10 million improvement project to renovate Jaycee Park, 2100 E. Saint Louis Ave., in January 2008. The park recently was renamed the Justice Myron E. Leavitt Family Park, according to Ackerman. Upon completion early next year, the 10-acre facility's makeover will have included a new lighted soccer field and parking lot, a playground, an expanded and reconfigured dog park and upgrades in pathway and security lighting.

A grand opening will be held at 3 p.m. on Feb. 23.

Both projects were funded by the Bureau of Land Management.

For more information, call 229-6535.

'Hotbed' of hauntings

Perhaps it's no surprise that a city with such a far-reaching and brutal past is rumored to be among the most haunted in the nation, according to www.hauntedamerican tours.com.

From reports of ghosts that frequent property's such as Binion's to apparitions that straddle the railing at the top of the Stratosphere (it's believed that the ghost of a man who flung himself from the structure 10 years ago still haunts the site), residents in the downtown area have no shortage of scary tales to tell.

But are these incidents tall tales, urban legends, myths or genuine hauntings?

Las Vegas Ghost Tracking Meetup Group organizer Ronald Mecklosky said that the city has one of the most haunted histories in the country.

"The downtown area was a hotbed of activity in past years, and still is," he said. "There are a number of extremly well documented incidents."

Many of the reports have been unsubstantiated, some even taking on the vibe of urban legends, according to Mecklosky.

Such is the case with the dark and deserted streets near Sahara Avenue and Sandhill Road. The vicinity is reported to be stalked by a variety of apparitions, including a granny-ghost who will chase curious passers-by clear up to Boulder Highway.

"I haven't heard a lot about this one," Mecklosky said. "But there are many stories similar to it in the area."

Las Vegas resident Beau Santiairi has grown up with the legends surrounding the street, and said that he isn't convinced of its merit.

"I think the legend changes with every generation," Santiairi said. "I've heard a few different versions of that one. Some people claim to have been chased by a female; some claim it was an old man. I guess it's fun to think about. But it's just another scary story."

Contact Downtown and North Las Vegas View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.