Photo: Actress and Model Kitty Dolan poses at the Tropicana, 1958, Hy Peskin Archive, Getty Images
The infamous Tropicana, also known as the “Tiffany of the Strip,” closed two days shy of its 67th anniversary. It was built by Miami hotelier Ben Jaffe, who was part-owner of the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach. Jaffe owned the land on which the casino was built, but Conquistador Inc. built and operated the resort. The construction of the Tropicana cost $15million in 1957. That made it the most expensive hotel-casino ever to be built in Las Vegas at the time, until Caesar’s Palace was built for $19 million almost a decade later, according to the Mob Museum.
Of course, rumors of mob involvement were prevalent, but that did not stop the Tropicana. It was known as one of the most “luxurious” hotels on the Strip during its heyday. I can attest that. The pool was quite lovely, even in the early 80s when my cousins and I would swim in it, an old Vegas thing.
The hotel ran one of the classiest and longest-running shows on the strip. It was called Folies Bergère and showcased the last of real Vegas showgirls on the Strip!
The Trop was packed the last day it was opened. Bloggers, YouTubers and influencers paraded around the casino, capturing video that showed the last moments of casino play. It was a sad day for employees and Las Vegas residents as they watched another piece of Las Vegas history close right before their eyes.
Some welcome the new stadium, and some do not. The population has grown 2.6% since 2020 in a city with serious water and affordable housing restraints. Tropicana, along with 17 other strip properties, is owned by Bally’s. The company purchased the property in 2021. In May 2023, Bally’s Corporation confirmed that a deal had been struck with the Oakland Athletics on the proposal for a new 35-acre, 35,000-seat ball park stadium fora staggering $1.5 billion. In June 2023,Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo signed a bill pledging $380 million in taxpayer money toward the $1.5 billion stadium for the Oakland A’s to move to Las Vegas.
For more intriguing facts and the history of Las Vegas on the Tropicana and old Vegas, visit the Mob Museum downtown. The museum provides the full history of “Sin City.”
