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Castaways (casino)

Defunct hotel and casino in Las Vegas

Field	Value
casino	Castaways
coordinates
theme	Polynesia
address	3320 South Las Vegas Boulevard
location	Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
pushpin_map	United States Las Vegas Strip#Nevada
date_opened	August 21, 1955 (Sans Souci hotel)
October 23, 1957 (Sans Souci casino)
September 1, 1963 (Castaways)
date_closed
casino_type	Land-based
owner	Ben Jaffe (1963–1967)
Hughes Tool Company (1967–1972)
Summa Corporation (1972–1986)
Steve Wynn (1986–87)
rooms	228 (as of 1987)
names_pre	Sans Souci Hotel (1955–1963)
attractions	Gateway to Luck
renovations	1957, 1963, 1969, 1971–72, 1981

Note

the Las Vegas Strip casino

October 23, 1957 (Sans Souci casino) September 1, 1963 (Castaways) Hughes Tool Company (1967–1972) Summa Corporation (1972–1986) Steve Wynn (1986–87)

The Castaways was a hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It began in the 1930s, as a small motel called Mountain View. It became the San Souci in 1939, and underwent several ownership changes in its early years. A hotel addition opened on August 21, 1955, when the property became the Sans Souci Hotel. A casino, showroom, and restaurant were eventually opened on October 23, 1957. These facilities closed less than a year later, due to financial problems, although the hotel continued operations. Following a bankruptcy reorganization, the shuttered facilities reopened in May 1960. However, the property soon closed due to further financial difficulties.

Investor Ben Jaffe purchased the Sans Souci and reopened it as the Polynesian-themed Castaways on September 1, 1963. A new signature attraction was a Jain temple replica referred to as the Gateway to Luck. Jaffe also added more hotel rooms. He served as landlord for the casino portion, which was operated by a separate group. The casino closed again in December 1964, and was briefly reopened a year later under a new operating group. Following another closure, it reopened in May 1967, and Jaffe sold the entire property later that year to Howard Hughes, marking his third Las Vegas casino purchase. Hughes owned it through Hughes Tool Company, and later through his Summa Corporation.

In 1986, casino owner Steve Wynn purchased the Castaways and nearby vacant property with plans to build a new resort on the land. The Castaways closed on July 20, 1987. Wynn's new resort, The Mirage, opened in 1989. The Castaways name would later be used for the Showboat Hotel and Casino on Boulder Highway, starting in 2001.

History

Early years

The property began in the 1930s, as a small motel called the Mountain View auto court. In 1939, it was sold to W. R. Miller and Dr. Freeman H. Smith, who renamed it the San Souci. They sold it to Burton Miller and his wife in 1941.

A grand opening for the renamed Sans Souci Hotel took place on August 21, 1955, following renovations which included a two-story, 82-room hotel The casino portion opened on October 23, 1957. It was operated by George E. Mitzell and Harold V. Hinds. The property also featured live entertainment in the new 400-seat Jamaica Room. At the end of 1957, Mitzell announced plans to add 100 additional rooms, although these did not materialize. Saxophonist Charlie Ventura also filed a lawsuit, after suffering a fall on the casino's stage during a performance.

In July 1958, two Las Vegas men, Jerry Kastner and Arthur Rozen, agreed to invest a total of $75,000 in operating funds. Kastner ultimately purchased only $31,000 worth of casino stock, and later said that he pulled out of the deal because it had been misrepresented. Federal agents seized money from the Sans Souci for its failure to pay cabaret taxes. The hotel was unaffected. The Sans Souci later filed a $400,000 damages suit against Kastner, alleging that his pullout resulted in the property's bankruptcy. A court eventually ruled in Kastner's favor.

In 1959, a federal judge approved a reorganization plan which would include leasing the casino, showroom, restaurant and bar to a new group for five years, at $8,500 a month. The showroom reopened in May 1960, and the state approved the casino to add table games; it had only been licensed, the month prior, to operate slot machines. In August 1960, agents of the Internal Revenue Service seized 10 slot machines, which were considered contraband after the casino failed to purchase tax stamps.

The Sans Souci re-entered bankruptcy in November 1961, after four major creditors rejected financial negotiations. The property owned more than $900,000. It eventually closed and, in November 1962, was sold in a bankruptcy auction for $749,600. The new owner was Ben Jaffe, a Las Vegas investor and owner of the Tropicana.

Castaways (1963–1987)

Shortly after his purchase, Jaffe announced plans to rename the property as the Polynesian-themed Castaways, and to add additional rooms while remodeling the existing 82 units. Jaffe had previously built a popular Castaways motel in Miami Beach, Florida. Construction of new rooms was underway in 1963. That year, KLAS Radio relocated its headquarters to the Castaways. KVEG would later take its place.

The property reopened as the Castaways on September 1, 1963. The casino was operated by Mississippi oilman Ike P. LaRue and his business partner Everett Eugene McCarlie. LaRue was the brother of Fred LaRue, who also invested in the casino operation. Jaffe served as landlord to the group. The casino, restaurant, and bar were closed again on December 3, 1964, due to financial problems. The hotel continued operations, and the restaurant was eventually reopened. In June 1965, another new group proposed a $100,000 investment to reopen the casino and take over its operations from the LaRue group. The proposal was approved by the state, and the casino and showroom reopened in October 1965, before closing again three months later.

The casino reopened in May 1967, with Oliver Kahle as operator. Several months later, Howard Hughes reached an agreement to buy the Castaways, marking his third Las Vegas casino purchase. Hughes bought the entire property from Jaffe and took over Kahle's operating stake. The sale was approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission in October 1967, at a cost of $3.3 million. At the time, the casino had 10 table games and 152 slot machines. It was owned and operated by Hughes Tool Company, and would be the smallest of six Las Vegas casinos that Hughes eventually owned.

A larger showroom stage was added in 1969. The casino's table games were closed in October 1971, to allow for a $250,000 remodeling of the casino. The slot machines and hotel continued to operate. Work on the rest of the casino took place in 1972. That year, Summa Corporation was formed to oversee Hughes' casinos. A $2.5 million renovation and expansion concluded in 1981.

In October 1986, the Castaways and nearby vacant acreage was sold for $50 million to casino owner Steve Wynn, who planned to build a new resort on the land. In the meantime, Summa continued leasing the Castaways site and operating the hotel-casino.Retrieved April 27, 2022:{{ubl | | | |

At the time of its closing, the Castaways had 228 rooms and 650 employees. It was scheduled to be demolished in the months ahead to make way for Wynn's new resort, which opened as The Mirage in 1989. The Mirage's northern edge on Las Vegas Boulevard occupies the former Castaways property. The Castaways name would later be used for the Showboat Hotel and Casino on Boulder Highway, starting in 2001.

Attractions

Gateway to Luck

Main article: St. Louis Jain temple

In 1963, the Castaways added a Jain temple replica as a tourist attraction. It was originally built for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. The Castaways referred to the temple as the Gateway to Luck. The 14-ton structure was 35 feet high and included a winding staircase leading to a balcony. It was located behind the casino building in a fenced-off area, next to a wishing well.

In 1980, the Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) learned of the replica's existence and its use as a tourist attraction, with which JCSC disagreed: "We believe the display of the temple this way is an insult". JCSC requested that the temple be donated, and Summa instead offered to sell it for $250,000, which was more than JCSC could afford. In 1987, amid the Castaways' closure, the temple was disassembled and donated to members of the Jain sect in Las Vegas. It has since been reconstructed at JCSC.

Entertainment

In its early years, the property featured women who performed shows while dressed as mermaids. In 1964, the Castaways debuted several shows in its new Samoa Room, including Bottoms Up, a musical comedy. It was produced by Breck Wall. Another show, Happy-Go-Lucky, starred Lili St. Cyr and Hank Henry. Watusi Scandals, a musical show featuring the Watusi dance, opened in 1965. Four years later, Wall opened another show called Cotton Club Revue '70. The Castaways also hosted comedians Redd Foxx and Pearl Williams.

References

(February 2, 1982). "The Best Deal". Los Angeles Times.
(May 9, 1939). "Found in Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(May 12, 1939). "'Ideal Climate' Found Here in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Age.
(October 21, 1941). "Auto Court Sold to Eastern Couple". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(September 9, 1946). "Vegas Attorney Buys Auto Court". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(February 21, 1955). "Sans Souci Change Eyed". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(August 22, 1955). "Grand Opening Held For San Souci Hotel". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(August 28, 1955). "First Wing of New Hotel In Strip Area is Opened". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(October 14, 1957). "Sans Souci Is Given License By County". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(October 23, 1957). "New Sans Souci Hotel". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(September 23, 1957). "Strip Casino Wins Approval". Reno Evening Gazette.
(June 4, 1957). "Vi Taylor Director of Public Relations at New Sans Souci". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(December 19, 1957). "Sans Souci Set for Big Expansion!". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(December 24, 1958). "Big Damage Suit Against Sans Souci". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(July 8, 1958). "Gaming Board Studies Sans Souci Matter". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(July 10, 1958). "New Funds Set for Sans Souci". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(June 20, 1959). "Casino Lease At San Souci Gets Approval". Reno Evening Gazette.
(August 5, 1958). "Name Trustee For San Souci". Reno Evening Gazette.
(May 24, 1959). "Sans Souci Operators Sue Partner". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(September 25, 1961). "San Souci Seeks $400,000 Damages". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(October 2, 1961). "Casino Loses Damage Suit". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(April 19, 1959). "Reorganization Plans For Sans Souci Presented". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(July 22, 1959). "Sans Souci Hotel Plan Wins Okeh". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(July 23, 1959). "Reorganization Approved For Sans Souci Hotel". Reno Evening Gazette.
(May 18, 1960). "Sans Souci To Go Ahead With Plans". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(May 19, 1960). "Sans Souci Opens Show With New Type Talent". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(May 19, 1960). "Sans Souci Gains License". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(May 24, 1960). "Special Meet Current Topic Of Debate". Reno Evening Gazette.
(August 3, 1960). "Revenue Agents Seize Slots". Reno Evening Gazette.
(August 3, 1960). "Sans Souci Petitions for Slot Return". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(November 10, 1961). "Sans Souci Adjudged Bankrupt After Four Years of Negotiation". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(November 18, 1962). "Vegas Hotel Man Wins Bidding For Sans Souci". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(November 28, 1962). "Jaffe To Rename Sans Souci 'The Castaways'". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(August 28, 1963). "Foreclosure Suit Hits Sans Souci". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(January 4, 1963). "KLAS Radio Moves To New Headquarters". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(September 15, 1971). "Kansas City firm buys KVEG". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(September 1, 1963). "Castaways". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(September 4, 1963). "Castaways Nixes Lions For Opening Hijinks". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(September 16, 1963). "Castaways". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(April 24, 1972). "Who Was Answering on 2287". Newsday.
Sullivan, Patricia. (July 29, 2004). "Watergate 'Bagman' Fred LaRue, 75, Dies". The Washington Post.
Smith, John L.. (August 1, 2004). "Bagman went from Las Vegas casino owner to Watergate legend". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(December 4, 1964). "Casino Closes in Vegas; Hotel Operation Continues". Reno Evening Gazette.
(December 4, 1964). "Game Room Doors Close At 6 P.M.". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(June 19, 1965). "Four in Bid to Reopen Castaways". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(August 6, 1965). "Gaming Board Reviews Nevada License Bids". Nevada State journal.
(September 21, 1965). "Castaways, Slipper Get Board Okay". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(October 27, 1965). "Castaways Casino Opens With New Show". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(March 28, 1967). "Oliver Kahle Asks Permit For Gaming". Reno Evening Gazette.
(March 3, 1966). "Hotel Investigating Dinner Plan Beefs". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(March 29, 1967). "Castaways Casino Back In Action!". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(May 11, 1967). "County Grants Castaways Okay". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(September 23, 1967). "Hughes Buys Third Casino". Napa Valley Register.
Macy, Robert. (April 13, 1986). "Las Vegas Still Feels Impact of Howard Hughes". Los Angeles Times.
(October 20, 1967). "Another". Independent.
(October 27, 1967). "Hughes Obtains Gaming License". The Fresno Bee.
(2004). "Citizen Hughes". Broadway Books.
(October 21, 1967). "Hughes Cleared to Buy Another Casino". Kansas City Times.
(February 21, 1969). "Castaways Expands Its Facilities". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(October 15, 1971). "Strip casino remodelling project starts". Reno Evening Gazette.
(October 15, 1971). "Casino Closes". Las Vegas Sun.
(October 19, 1971). "Castaways to Undergo Refurbishing". Las Vegas Sun.
(January 16, 1972). "Castaways Is Back In Business". Las Vegas Sun.
(November 30, 1971). "Castaways to close Wednesday". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(February 25, 1972). "Construction underway on Castaways casino". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(May 8, 1973). "Hughes casino plan submitted". Reno Evening Gazette.
(June 21, 1981). "Construction booming at LV casinos". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(November 7, 1986). "The big money". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(July 21, 1987). "Castaways mystique fades into memory". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(July 27, 1987). "Classy Closing". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(July 30, 1987). "The Castaways makes classy exit". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Morrison, Jane Ann. (July 21, 1987). "Las Vegas says farewell to old-timer Castaways". Reno Gazette-Journal.
(July 20, 1987). "Teary-Eyed Dealers Bid Casino Farewell".
"Las Vegas Strip".
(September 20, 2000). "Las Vegas Showboat taking 'Castaways' name". Las Vegas Sun.
(August 14, 1963). "Strip Resort to Display Teak Temple". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(August 29, 1963). "Castaways". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(May 21, 1981). "Sect Asks Casino to Give Up 'Shrine' Replica of Sacred Temple Displayed as Tourist Attraction". Los Angeles Times.
(May 22, 1981). "Religious Group Wants Vegas Shrine Replica". The Sacramento Bee.
(January 14, 1984). "Thai Buddhist God a Good Luck Symbol: Casino Puts Bet on Deity Statue". Los Angeles Times.
(August 7, 1987). "Jain temple replica to stay in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(August 12, 1987). "The temple is spared from doom". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(January 24, 1958). "Sans Souci Mermaid in the Pool". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Padgett, Sonya. (January 3, 2008). "Live Art: Flipping Over Fish". [[Las Vegas Review-Journal]].
(February 14, 1964). "Castaways Act Features Guitar-Playing Vocalist". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(July 19, 1964). "Castaways' 'Bottoms Up' Now Big Strip Attraction". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Starr, Michael Seth. (2011). "Black and Blue: The Redd Foxx Story". Applause Theatre & Cinema.
McGee, Kimberley. (September 9, 2000). "Off the Wall". Las Vegas Sun.
(August 2, 2002). "The Great Wall". Las Vegas Sun.
(July 11, 2003). "Show proves to have bottomless appeal". Las Vegas Sun.
(August 21, 1964). "Lili St. Cyr, Hank Henry Head Show". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(September 4, 1964). "Hank Henry Show Packs Castaways". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(November 2, 1965). "Castaways Brings Back Hit 'Watusi Scandals'". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(September 16, 1969). "Cotton Club Revue '70 To Open at Castaways". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(September 12, 1964). "Pearl Joins Lilli, Hank At Castaways". Las Vegas Review-Journal.

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