An exterior view of the Castaways Hotel and Casino. A marquee advertises Open now all new rooms", "air conditioned", "pool". The Castaways was a hotel and casino in Paradise, Nevada that operated from 1963 to 1987 on the Las Vegas Strip. The property had originally been San Souci Auto Court, an early motel which opened in the 1930s, and developed into Sans Souci Hotel in the 1950s. In 1962, the resort became Castaways Hotel & Casino. The hotel had a 1,500-gallon aquarium in its bar. In 1967, the Castaways was sold to billionaire Howard Hughes for $3 million dollars. The resort operated until July 1987, when it closed and was demolished and the property was purchased by Steve Wynn. The resort became the Mirage, opening on November 22, 1989. The property is located at 3400 South Las Vegas Boulevard Las Vegas, NV 89109.
The hotel and casino property records series (1961-2004) contains materials pertaining to properties owned or operated by Claudine Williams and her husband. The Silver Slipper Casino materials contain correspondence, dealer and gaming course descriptions, profit and loss statements, and accounting regulations. The Holiday Inn Hotel and Holiday Casino materials include contracts, log books, photographs, legal papers, signage and parking agreements, and purchase agreements. Other casinos and investment properties represented in the series include the Gold Rush Inn, Nob Hill Casino, Harrah's Hotel and Casino, and Riverboat Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada; the Holiday Casino and Nob Hill Casino in Reno, Nevada; and the Westward Ho Casino in Tahoe, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Claudine Williams Papers
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Collection Number: MS-00094 Collection Name: Claudine Williams Papers Box/Folder: N/A
B-roll footage related to the grounbreaking for the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. Video begins with shots of billboards and signs with renderings of the hotel; a groundbreaking stage is set with cake modeled after the hotel; a scaled model is shown in detail, people can be seen observing it under a blue-and-white striped tent. Campagne is poured into commemorative "Excalibur groundbreaking" glasses (no audio through this point). Second segment briefly has audio, opens with people in costumes for the ceremony (audio cuts back out). The cake is cut with a giant sword, people can be seen mingling and talking under the tent next to the Excalibur model and cake. Original media U-matic S, color, aspect ratio 4 x 3, frame size 720 x 486.
Archival Collection
The Production Company Audiovisual Collection
To request this item in person:
Collection Number: MS-00930 Collection Name: The Production Company Audiovisual Collection Box/Folder: Digital File 00