The Sands Hotel opened in Las Vegas, Nevada in December 1952. A controversial group of investors fronted by Texas gambler and oilman Jake Freedman and New York nightclub boss Jack Entratter built what was considered at the time one of the world’s most lavish hotels and a showcase Las Vegas resort. Freedman purchased the property itself for $15,000 and spent $600,000 on the construction. The Sands was designed by Googie California architect Wayne McAllister.
Meet A Friendly Machine-Gun Crew! poster from the Las Vegas United Jewish Appeal asking for contributions to aid Jewish refugees. The text across the the front reads: "MEET A FRIENDLY MACHINE-GUN CREW! "America will lose the entire near East -- except for Israel! As long as ISRAEL is HELPED BY AMERICAN JEWRY, Israel can survive as our ONE FRIENDLY OUTPOST in the Near East!" - a statement made by General "Lightening Joe" Collins, former Chief of Staff, United States Army, at the Army and Navy Club, Washington, D.C., on July 1. 1958. TODAY IS AN EMERGENCY!! 80,000 persecuted Jewish refugees from Poland and Moslem lands must be helped to get to Israel - and quickly! Your contribution to the UNITED JEWISH APPEAL will help the emergency SPECIAL RESCUE FUND of $100,000,000 - and will help build up the newborn state of Israel - to remain strong - well-armed -- fiercely proud of its freedom - ready and able to remain YOUR ONE FRIENDLY OUTPOST IN A HOSTILE PART OF THE WORLD! -wouldn't you feel a little more secure with a friendly outpost guarding your freedom in the Near East? Las Vegas United Jewish Appeal Post Office Box 1981 Las Vegas, Nevada. Carl Cohen, chairman/Co-chairmen: Moe Dalitz and Jacob Kozloff/Nevada State Chairman: Edward Levinson"
Only God - and you... poster from the Las Vegas United Jewish Appeal asking for contributions to aid Jewish refugees. Text on front reads: "Only GOD - and you... When, in the course of human events, a child suffers from the stupidity and intolerance of some men, to whom else can he turn to but GOD -- and a few rare, compassionate human beings? YOU can be one of the few... one of the rare, compassionate human beings... Help the Emergency Rescue Fund of the United Jewish Appeal TODAY... nearly $100,000,000 is needed to rescue 80,000 persecuted Jewish refugees from Poland and Moslem countries -- and relocate them in Israel from their "second chance" in life. Let it bring you peace... that "he who saves one life, it may be accounted to him as though he has saved the whole world." GIVE TODAY -- and a child will LIVE TODAY! Attend the emergency rescue dinner for the UJA. Sunday, July 13 at 7:00 P.M. Copa Room, Sands Hotel. Phone DU 2-3144 for information and resvns. Las Vegas United Jewish Appeal Post Office Box 1981 Las Vegas, Nevada. Carl Cohen, chairman; Co-chairmen: Moe Dalitz and Jacob Kozloff; Nevada State Chairman: Edward Levinson"
On a pleasant spring evening at sundown in April 2017, a Pop-Up Shabbat draws a crowd of Jews to the Jackie Gaughan Parkway at the El Cortez Hotel & Casino. Proudly, and quietly, watching from the sideline is Kenny Epstein, owner of the El Cortez. He seeks no recognition, but is enjoying the gathering for Sabbath services and the music that will fill the air. Kenny Epstein is also a classic enthusiast of Las Vegas history. The nostalgia is evident as one walks through the casino and reinforced by the stories of a man who has experienced the city’s growth since moving here in 1959 at the age of 18. The timeline of Kenny’s teen years begins with his bar mitzvah in Chicago and a story of prizefighter Rocky Marciano giving a brief toast. When he was 15, his parents, Ike and Adele Epstein, took the family to visit Las Vegas. About three years later, his father became an executive at the Stardust. Kenny’s own imprint on Las Vegas history was just beginning. In this brief interview, he mentions an illustrious list of mentors and recalls many historic moments from the history of the Las Vegas Strip. All of which led to his ownership of The El Cortez—advertised as the longest continuously operating hotel/casino.
The UNLV Libraries Collection of Sands Hotel and Casino Promotional Materials and Reports includes equity research, clippings, press releases, press kits, and promotional materials for Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, dating from 1958 to 2014.
The Carolyn Merriam Collection on the Sands Hotel (1972-1998) consists primarily of Sands Hotel merchandise and ephemera, including mugs, glassware, playing cards, dice, an ashtray, and a tote bag. The collection also contains several framed photograph reproductions depicting Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and 1960s. The Sands Hotel operated in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1952 to 1996.