The First Resort on the Strip
Thomas Hull was a California hotel entrepreneur who noticed something that would change the world: most drivers heading to Hoover Dam stopped at the southern edge of Las Vegas to cool off and stretch their legs. While other businessmen were focused on downtown's Fremont Street, Hull saw an opportunity on the empty highway south of town — outside city limits, where gambling regulations were looser and land was cheap.
Hull built El Rancho Vegas at what is now 2500 Las Vegas Boulevard South, and it opened on April 3, 1941. With 63 rooms arranged in a ranch-style Western theme, it featured a distinctive windmill tower, a sparkling swimming pool, a restaurant, a showroom, and a casino — all in one integrated complex. It was the first resort to combine lodging, dining, entertainment, and gambling under one operation, creating the template that every Las Vegas Strip resort would follow. The casual, Western-themed atmosphere was a deliberate contrast to the more formal downtown casinos, and it worked: El Rancho Vegas was a hit from the start.
Fire and Legacy
El Rancho Vegas's success was immediate and transformative. It proved that a luxury resort could thrive on the dusty highway south of town, and competitors rushed to follow. The Last Frontier opened in 1942, just a mile down the road. Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo followed in 1946, then the Thunderbird in 1948, and the Desert Inn in 1950. Within a decade, the Strip was booming — and it all started with Hull's roadside gamble.
On June 17, 1960, a massive fire tore through El Rancho Vegas and destroyed the entire complex. The blaze was ruled arson, but despite extensive investigation, the crime was never solved. Theories ranged from insurance fraud to mob rivalry, but no one was ever charged. The vacant lot sat undeveloped for decades afterward, becoming one of the most valuable empty parcels on the Las Vegas Strip — a ghostly reminder of where it all began. The site was eventually developed into the Hilton Grand Vacations complex.
Key Facts
Opening Day
El Rancho Vegas opened April 3, 1941, making it the very first casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip. Its success proved the viability of the highway resort concept and launched the Strip as we know it.
The Western Theme
El Rancho featured a distinctive ranch aesthetic with a windmill tower, swimming pool, and 63 rooms in low-slung Western-style buildings. The casual atmosphere was a deliberate contrast to the formal downtown casinos.
The Fire
On June 17, 1960, a devastating fire destroyed the entire El Rancho Vegas complex. The cause was ruled arson, but the crime was never solved. No one was ever arrested or charged.
The Empty Lot
After the fire, the El Rancho Vegas site sat vacant for decades, becoming one of the most valuable undeveloped parcels on the Strip. The site was eventually developed into Hilton Grand Vacations.
What's There Now
Visiting the El Rancho Vegas Site
Address: 2500 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV (now Hilton Grand Vacations)
Status: Destroyed by fire in 1960. The site sat vacant for decades before being developed.
What to See: Nothing remains of the original El Rancho Vegas. A historic marker may exist on the property. The Neon Museum on Las Vegas Boulevard North preserves signs and artifacts from the early Strip era, offering the best window into what these pioneering resorts looked like.
Nearby: The Sahara Las Vegas (formerly the SLS) and the Stratosphere are nearby along this northern stretch of the Strip.
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