Abstract
The UNLV Libraries Collection of Sam’s Town Promotional and Publicity Materials includes press kits, press releases, promotional materials, and newspaper and magazine clippings for Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Tunica, Mississippi, and Sam’s Town Gold River in Laughlin, Nevada, dating from 1979 to 2006.
Finding Aid PDF
Date
Extent
Related People/Corporations
Scope and Contents Note
The UNLV Libraries Collection of Sam’s Town Promotional and Publicity Materials includes press kits, press releases, promotional materials, and newspaper and magazine clippings for Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Tunica, Mississippi, and Sam’s Town Gold River in Laughlin, Nevada, dating from 1979 to 2006. This collection contains items previously described as "Promotional and publicity material: Sam's Town Hotel, Gambling Hall and Bowling Center," "Promotional and publicity material: Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall," and "Promotional and publicity material: Sam's Town Gold River Hotel and Gambling Hall."
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections and Archives website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged by material type.
Biographical / Historical Note
Sam’s Town is the trademark name given to multiple Western-themed hotel and casino properties operated by Boyd Gaming, located in Las Vegas, Nevada; Tunica, Mississippi; Shreveport, Louisiana; and formerly Laughlin, Nevada. Described as the first locals casino in Las Vegas, the original Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall opened on the Boulder Strip on April 01, 1979. The property initially consisted of a small casino, race and sportsbook area, and Diamond Lil’s restaurant. Multiple expansions were completed to the original Sam’s Town in the 1980s and 1990s. A bowling lane, additional restaurants, Western-themed gift shops, a parking garage, and an RV park were added. One of the largest additions was the Mystic Falls Park, a 25,000 square foot indoor park featuring trees, waterfalls, stone walkways and animatronic animals that mimic mountainous areas.
Sam’s Town Gold River in Laughlin, Nevada, was created by real estate developer John Milby. The property opened in January 1985 and was operated by Boyd Gaming. It offered 24-hour free ferry boat service across the Colorado River, linking the property to Bullhead, Arizona. Goldriver Limited Partnership, of which Milby was a majority partner, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 1991. The company terminated its contract with Boyd Gaming, with the latter company ceasing operations of Sam’s Town Gold River by March 31, 1991. Afterward, the property changed its name to Gold River Gambling Hall.
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Tunica opened on May 25, 1994, in Tunica, Mississippi. It was the third Sam’s Town, the first casino opened by Boyd Gaming outside of Nevada, and the first casino and hotel in Tunica, Mississippi. Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Tunica, Mississippi continue to operate under Sam’s Town trademark, while the former Sam’s Town Gold River currently operates as Laughlin River Lodge as of 2020.
Sources:
"Laughlin resort may lose permits due to lack of financing."
“Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, Las Vegas.”
“Explore Sam's Town Tunica.”
“Explore Sam's Town Shreveport.”
Preferred Citation
UNLV Libraries Collection of Sam’s Town Promotional and Publicity Materials, 1979-2006. MS-01011. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Acquisition Note
Materials were acquired periodically by UNLV Special Collections and Archives from a variety of sources; accession number 2020-006.
Processing Note
In 2020, as part of an archival backlog elimination project, Autumn Bassett compiled the materials from multiple sources that included subject files and previously cataloged material. Autumn Bassett wrote the finding aid.