Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes’ biography reads like the Most Interesting Man in the World. Hughes made millions as a movie producer, aeronautic engineer, and real estate developer; dated movie stars; and set the record for fastest flight around the world. He was the man the CIA came to when they needed help raising a sunken Soviet submarine. He also had a lasting impact on the history of Las Vegas.

On November 27, 1966, Hughes arrived in Vegas by train and took up residence in the penthouse suite of the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino. 

After several months, and with no signs of him leaving, the management at the Desert Inn requested that Hughes vacate the premises. Hughes responded by buying the property. 

Then he went on a hotel buying spree, purchasing Castaways, the Landmark, New Frontier, the Sands, and the Silver Slipper. 

The Mafia was still active in Las Vegas at this time, but Hughes’ purchase of much of the Strip signaled the beginning of the end of mob control of the city. Over the coming decades the casinos founded by gangsters would be bought by legitimate corporate interests. 

In the end, Hughes was the first of the modern corporate casino moguls, like Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson, who would go on to erect the themed megaresorts that have come to define modern Las Vegas.

Nutty News Today – Nutty News Videos – Todays Nutty Joke – Nutty Facts – Nutty News Twitter  - Nutty Videos  Twitter