In honor of Elvis Presley’s recent 85th birthday, we wanted to focus this week on the resort and casino where he once performed.
It all started back in 1969. The site of the International Hotel and Casino was constructed where there was a racetrack in the past. Kirk Kerkorian was the business visionary who believed having a resort next to the convention center made sense. Mr. Kerkorian ended up purchasing the Flamingo Hotel and Casino so he could give the future staff of the International a training ground before the new resort opened up.
During this period in Las Vegas history, fellow business giant Howard Hughes was on a buying spree of numerous Las Vegas properties that included the Desert Inn, Silver Slipper, Sands, and Frontier. Mr. Hughes saw the International as competition. Through reported false accusations, he tried to damage Mr. Kerkorian’s project. Mr. Hughes purchased the nearby Landmark Hotel and Casino and opened it one day before the International opened its doors.
Hollywood legend Barbra Streisand opened as the International’s entertainment alongside Peggy Lee. On July 31, 1969, Elvis Presley would perform his first of over 600 sold out concerts. The run of shows went all the way through 1976. At the time of its opening, the 1500 room International was the tallest building in the state of Nevada.
For one year from 1970 to 1971, it was changed to the Hilton International. In the same year of 1971, it was changed to the Las Vegas Hilton. The name would remain the same to 2012. The Las Vegas Hilton era has included everything from a Star Trek themed Space Quest casino area to headliner/music legend Barry Manilow. Mr. Manilow returned to the Hilton in recent years after the name was changed to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.
In 1981, there was a fire at the Las Vegas Hilton that killed 8 people. It was one of the reasons that the city looked into better fire safety protocols. Today, the resort is now named the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. It bills itself as having the largest sportsbook in the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Below, you will find our collection of International and Hilton International chips now for sale online. Additionally, we have added many new Las Vegas Hilton chips to the website as well. All of the International and Hilton International Chips were used during Elvis Presley’s residency. You can purchase each chip clicking the picture below:
We also have cards from the Las Vegas Hilton and Westgate Resort and Casino you can purchase below by clicking the link. Also, this set of 4 Las Vegas Hilton chips is only $39.95. If interested in those, send me an email to marketing@spinettis.com
Earlier this week, The Mirage re-opened on the Las Vegas Strip. The road into the Mirage has been renamed to Siegfried and Roy Drive. We have a few more now available of the Siegfried and Roy $5 Mirage Casino chip. You can purchase one clicking the picture below:
