Months later, I was walking by the place (It was next to Juliet's and my favorite watering hole, the Peppermill Lounge) and it struck me that the joint could be a real good "Locals" place. I remember driving up to the Dunes, and grabbing the Major off his poker game. I took him and a flashlight down to the "Riata" and showed it to him from the outside. Less than a week later, he owned the joint and re named it "Silver City." Maj already owned a very successful casino in North Las Vegas called the "Silver Nugget." Silver City was one the biggest profit makers in Las Vegas on the Strip on a per machine basis. The joint was jammed 24/7 and the casino workers loved it. Cheap but really good food, and drinks that were all but free whether you played or not. Major's best manager, Gene Lucas, ran the joint. I helped him with various promotions to get the joint going, and set up the food service menu. Eddie Kover, a former Vaudeville hoofer, came out of retirement and made the coffee shop at Silver City on of the most successful in Las Vegas. Major told him not to "lose" more than $30,000 a month. Eddie "made" 30,000.00 a month effectively giving the Maj $60,000 in extra Poker funds." - Mike Christ, July 2002"I remember one time, I guess it was around 1972 or 1973 that two couples were opening a small casino on the Strip across from the Stardust. The name of the casino was the "Riata" and it was a cute little joint. Ricardo Villasenor owned a local magazine called "The Las Vegas STAR Magazine." Ricardo had sold the cover of the magazine to the "Riata" owners, and they needed a photograph. I went to see them, and I found out that they wanted me to take a photograph of them with their wives in front of the new Casino. I told them that if they were spending $2,000 for a magazine cover, they were wasting their money by putting themselves on the cover. I told them that no one would be motivated to buy a magazine with two middle aged couples on the cover. Thus, no one would be reading the story of the new casino and it's attractions that was to adorn the inside of the issue. I told them we could drag the "Big Bertha" slot machine out in the front entrance, and I would take a photo of two scantily clad showgirls pulling the handle and a bunch of coin could be scattered all over the ground. THAT would get people to buy the magazine. Well, the owners didn't take my advice, and I took a photo of them with their wives in front of the casino. About eight months later, one of the best located small casinos went belly up owing the whole town money and the state a bunch of gaming tax. The doors were closed, and the joint just sat there.
The Silver City opened in 1974.
In reading the website of Bill Cooksey, which I will explain a little later, it appears that in 1975, Dunes owner Major Riddle also owned the Silver City, Gene Lucas was the General Manager, and Fred Crosley was the day shift boss.
Showcased during this year was Wild Bill Cooksey.
In 1976, Silver City added six more gaming tables taking room from the lounge shrinking it from 90 to 45 seats. Showcased during this year was again Wild Bill Cooksey.
On May 8 and 9, 1976, Cooksey broke the Guinness Book World Record Book by playing 17 hours and 76 minutes celebrating the Bicentennial year of 1776, breaking the previous record of 16 hours. The feat also benefited the Help Them Walk Again charity.
A press conference was held shortly before with Lt. Governor Bob Rose doing the honors.
On May 8, 1976, at 10:00pm Wild Bill Cooksey began his marathon. Throughout the marathon he received telegrams of encouragement from Dean Martin, David Brenner, the casts of the Dunes Hotel's Casino De Paris show and the Stardust's Lido. The Imperials stopped by to help out and Cooksey even provided music to a wedding that took place during the marathon.
Even though Bill only held the title for just a few months, his story regarding this marathon is simply fantastic reading. I want to thank Bill for contacting me and if you want to read about this record breaking, please go to http://billjanaecooksey.tripod.com/MtBookMenu.html.
In 1979, Circus Circus Enterprises, Inc., purchased the Silver City Casino and it re-opened in 1981 at 3001 Las Vegas Boulevard South. The casino had 448 slot machines and 13 table games, and the Country Cupboard Eatery Restaurant. Table games included Caribbean Stud Poker, Blackjack, Progressive Caribbean Stud.
On and around the casino a person can see all kinds of wooden statues. These statues are what is called "chainsaw woodworking". All these statues were carved using a chainsaw.
In 1980, City showcased International Showband.
In 1985, the Silver City held a down home type restaurant featuring popular American food 24 hours. Specialties included $.99 breakfast on up to a $3.99 prime rib.
"Here is a photo I took of the die that made the Silver City One Dollar chips. It is from 1988, and was presented to me by a Mandalay Resort Group Corp. Executive who wished to remain nameless." - Mike Christ, August 2002
In 1991, Silver City became a smoke free casino. After losing revenue from this decision, Silver City reinstituted smoking.
In mid-1999, Circus Circus announced that they will be closing the Silver City on October 31, 1999. Even though the Silver City was a successful casino, it was on rented property. The landlord, United Holdings of California, had evicted Circus Circus. A total of 150 workers will lose their jobs. It is likely that these employees will move to the company's other resorts.
I have been told by personnel at Circus Circus that the artist who created the statues has moved to another state. They are trying to contact that person to see if he would want to buy the statues back. As of June 20, 1999, the gentleman had not responded to Circus' letters.
In June of 1999, Circus Circus Enterprises, Inc., changed its name to Mandalay Resort Group.
In October of 1999, Luke Brugnara, owner of San Francisco based Brugnara Corporation bought Silver City for almost $30 million. Brugnara is planning to develop the 32,000 square foot casino and the 40,000 square foot retail area located on eight acres, into a full-fledged hotel-casino within the next five years. Tenants in the shopping center have also committed to making capital improvements. Brugnara's first appearance on the Strip was when he tried to buy the Desert Inn a few years back but lost to Sun International.
The property has the potential for a high-rise resort, and Brugnara is considering a San Francisco-themed hotel and casino with 2,000 rooms. He said it would eventually be a $500 million project, with financing from Cooper & Horowitz, a New York mortgage lender.
"We expect to dump tens of millions of dollars into renovating the property, and have several leases pending with what you would call upscale businesses. Our tenants will all be four-star companies." - Luke Brugnara
Silver City closed on October 31, 1999, as Brugnara could not obtain a Nevada gaming license in time to prevent the closure. Regarding the gaming license:
"My lawyer tells me that there's no reason to think we should have any problems. I've filled a lot of applications before, but nothing like the one for a gaming license."- Luke Brugnara
On February 6, 2000, I passed by the Silver City and saw that the statutes were still there. I am guessing that Mandalay Bay Resorts have not been able to get in touch with the artist who created them.
The following was donated by Mike Christ.
1999-2002, Deanna DeMatteo - All rights reserved. The contents of this website, in whole or in part, may not be copied or duplicated in any manner without written permission from the owner.