Temporary Flamingo Exhibit
If you have been to Las Vegas, there is a good chance you have passed by the Flamingo Hotel, one of the most historic resorts on the Strip.
When it opened in 1946, the Flamingo’s elegant and fashionable design attracted high-end visitors to Las Vegas, ushering in a new era that turned its back on the city’s previous Old West themes. The Flamingo also introduced the Mob to the allure of operating legal casinos rather than forbidden gambling halls in other parts of the country.
Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and his partner, LA. Nightclub owner Billy Wilkerson, opened the iconic Flamingo Hotel a day after Christmas 1946, setting a new standard for opulence and excess in Las Vegas.
For a limited time only, visit The Mob Museum to view two recently acquired, one-of-a-kind artifacts that help tell the story of the Flamingo’s origins and the Mob’s role in building modern Las Vegas.
On display are:
An original check Billy Wilkerson wrote as a down payment to purchase the land which the Flamingo was built on.
An authentic legal document, signed by Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and dated March 19, 1947, formally removing Flamingo’s original developer, Billy Wilkerson, from any involvement with the Flamingo Hotel.
Document acquisition made possible in part by Ralph De Luca.
Artifacts are only on display until January 10, 2021.