Bonanza Hotel and Casino was the dream of New York attorney Larry Wolf. Wolf received his A.B. at Lehigh University and his LL.B. at New York University. He was President of Skyway Garages, Inc., and Forty Third Street Estates in NY, as well as the proprieter of 81 services stations.

Wolf and his wife Rhoda moved to Vegas in 1966. They were unhappy to see the western themed hotels gone and decided to restore some measure of the Strip's former tradition. They hired R.C. Johnson & Associates as general contractors for the construction.

The 160 room Bonanza opened on July 1, 1967, across the street from the Dunes, and between the Three Coins and Galaxy motels. Outside were statues of cowboys and Indians under the sign similar to what Caesars Palace did with their sign in 1966 with Centurions.

Donated by Jeff Cross

Opening night was provided by Lorne Greene of the Bonanza TV show with Suzi Wallace. Also appearing on opening night were The Lively Five, Bonanza Girls, Watusi Stampede '67, and Joe Guercio Orchestra.

The Coral Lounge opened with Jesse Lopez Quintet, Buddy Sarkissian's Belly Dancers, Kenny Hamilton, Sun Spots, and Roger La Torre.

Opening night at the Strip newest resort was festive. The "By Invitation Only" first-nighters were in an exceptionally good mood, offering spontaneous applause when a nervous bus boy dropped a tray full of dishes. Marty Allen picked up the fun tempo when he appeared onstage before curtain time, without a jacket, a hammer in his back pocket, and swept some imaginary dust from the newly laid boards. Later, both Allen and partner Steve Rossi joined Lorne Greene onstage for a spoof of Ben Cartwright's Bonanza. Greene, the self-named "Medicare Blonde," tore the audience apart with his closer, What The World Needs Now Is Love. After the standing ovation subsided, and as everyone was leaving, the talk was how Greene was such a great stage actor in addition to being a great TV actor.

The main floor of the bistro sat on 72,000 square feet, with 36,000 additional active feet in the basement.

The Opera House could have been transported from the golden years of San Francisco. Although it sat 650 people, the room was so intimately contrived, the audience felt the performer was a part of a living room soiree. The most unique factor was the Celebrity Balcony.

Boot Hill Joe served at the Boot Hill Bar at the skirt of the casino, which surrendered contemporary carpeting in favor of wood flooring. The Ponderosa Room was a 24 hour restaurant serving all manner of foods. The Cattlemens Restaurant, with the Lucius Beebe Dining Car, the Crazy Horse Saloon and the exhibition cooking area were also in the resort. Steps lead upward to five private "Bordello" Dining Rooms, aptly named after Polly Adler, Sally Stanford, and Roxie's. A touch of whimsy named the fifth - Carrie Nation.

There was a theatre for 18 hours of daily operation. The resort also contained the Corral Lounge, Paul Sperling's Fashions (for women), Ron Markin's Men's Shop, and courtesy centers for guests.

Mia Frances moved over from the Fremont to be in charge of room reservations. Guy Barry was in charge of publicity. Barry was All Pro Halfback in 1953, and put in seven years on the pro circuit with Philadelphia, Washington, and Baltimore.

Wolf stated that even though the resort only had 160 rooms, by September of 1968, the resort would contain 1,600 rooms.

Apparently, they had a problem with not reporting all of their income among other issues and the gaming control board stepped in to close it just three months after its opening. Apparently, the theater stayed opened as in December of 1967, it was showing To Sir With Love.

In 1967, Opera House showcased Paul Anka, Earl Barton Bonanza Dancers, Burns & Schreiber, Sid Caesar, Jerry Collins, Joe Guercio Orchestra, Charlie Manna, Jane Morgan, Nick Palmer, Mamie Van Doren, Strip for Action, and Larry Wolf's Wildly Western Topless Show starring Candy Barr.

The Corral Lounge showcased Ken Hamilton Sextet, Los Hispanos, Jesse Lopez Quintet, Los Trovadors, The Loved Ones, Buddy Sarkissian's Belly Dancers, Tommy Stark, and String Brothers with Hector Casas.

Wolf sold the property to Kirk Kerkorian in September of 1968, who later sold it to Howard Levin and a Mr. Townsend. Levin/Townsend discovered that they didn't own all of the land which the resort occupied. A court order partitioned off some of the guest rooms as well as 18 feet of the Bonanza's dining rooms.

In April of 1969, it was reported that Levin/Townsen owned 80% of the resort, and Caesars' Jake Jacobson owned 20%.

Also in April, 1969, Nate Jacobson was in his Caesars office when two young Boy Scouts got around security and gained entrance to sell the tickes. Jacobson was unable to refuse their courteous salesmanship, especially since they were members of the Bonanza Troup.

In the true Strip tradition, the New Bonanza Hotel and Casino had a grand re-opening on May 28, 1969. The opening night entertainment was provided by Dale Robertson and the Surrey Singers in the 500 seat Opera House hosted by Pat Buttram.

In 1969, Ben Roscoe headed the Public Relations department of the Bonanza with Bob Kelly as Maitre d'. The Opera House was showcasing Flesh - The Naked Truth featuring Black White & 14, as well as Flush Royal Laffs starring Nancy Austin w/Bill Fanning, and the Lee Greenwood Orchestra. The Corral Lounge showcased The Nancy Austin show w/Bill Fanning, Crazy Horse Saloon de Paris Revue and Jets Revue, Like It is, The Winstons, Fraeda Wallace, and Misti Walker. Cary Grant was seen watching his favorite magician Barry Lee, perform during this year.

Rooms in the Bonanza South were furnished in white French Provincial. Rooms in the Bonanza South were done in the western style with western scene wallpaper. The pool and sun deck were convenient to all the guest rooms.

The cocktail waitresses appeared as Indian maidens in a micro-mini with daring necklines. Their costumes were complete with knee-high fringed Indian boots. Casino dealers wore a double-breasted vest in gold and black, and other hotel service personnel were appropriately dressed.

"Motion picture and television personalities of western entertainment will appear regularly in our showrooms. These stars will be joined by country music performers and variety acts." - Nathan S. Jacobsen, President of Bonanza

The 200 seat Corral Lounge had continuous entertainment from 8:00pm to the "wee hours". The resort also contained a western stand-up bar called Boot Hill.

The food and beverage director was Artie Selman. Selman was formerly of the Copacabana in New York and the Sands and Dunes in Vegas. He had planned wide-variety menus with the finest foods for the resort's three dining areas.

The Cattleman's Restaurant specialized in western beef prepared over charcoal. The Ponderosa Room would feature a chuckwagon, and the hotel's coffee shop was open 24 hours. Total restaurant seating was 400.

The Bonanza also held the Movie Palace Theatre with 411 push-back seats. At the opening, Funny Girl with Barbara Streisand was being shown.

"We want our guests to have a rootin' tootin' good time, and we've selected people with this in mind. Many are well-known by Las Vegas regulars and residents, so a first name basis will prevail." - Lewis G. Kurtz, Vice-President of Bonanza

In the summer of 1969, Opera House showcased Flush Royal Laffs starring Nancy Austin with Bill Fanning. Also showcased in the Opera House was Flesh '70, The Naked Truth featuring Black White & 14, Lee Greenwood Orchestra, and Marty Robbins/Pat Buttram/John Nagy Orchestra. Coral Lounge showcased Bernie Allen, Crazy Horse Saloon de Paris Revue, Green Grass & Wild Tomatoes Revue, Lee Greenwood & Mary Ann Rose, The Jets, The Swinging Lads, Sound Investment, Fraeda Wallace, and Wolfman Jack.

Bob Darin appeared for one night only July 16, 1969.

Ex-Dunes star Line Renaud produced and starred in Flesh '70. The production show was very successful.

In December of 1969, Bonanza announced the opening of the show Like It Is. They also instituted motion pictures as a customer service in the Opera House, with a change of picture nightly, scheduled to run until 6:00am each morning.

In early March 1970, Levin/Townsend rejected an $8 million offer from a Canadian group. On March 24, 1970, the casino shut down. A spokesman for the management admitted sales discussions were underway and that a transaction had to be made within 30 days to avoid loss of the gaming license. Among the possible buyers were Sam Boyd and a group from Texas.

In 1970, Bonanza advertised the Big Bonanza Buffet Breakfast for $.39, Chuckwagon All You Can Eat Dinner for $1.99, with a free show and drink. Beer was $.05, champagne was $.10, and Bourbon and Scotch was $.25.

In 1970, Opera House showcased Film Classics, and LeeGreenwood Affair. The Maitre d' was Bob Kelly. The Corral Lounge showcased Lee Greenwood Affair with Mary Ann Rose, and Like It is Revue.

Entertainment Director at the resort was Kirby Stone. Stone was born on April 27, 1940, in Harlem, New York. He had previously produced the CBS TV show Strictly for Laughs, and appeared as talent consultant and musical director of Broadway Open House.

The New Bonanza Hotel & Casino declared bankruptcy in late 1970.

Donated by Dan Kubota

Kirk Kerkorian purchased half the property the resort sat on. The Bonanza continued to operate as a hotel and showroom.

It seems that from late 1970 to 1971, Bonanza was not advertising. In March of 1972, plans were announced that the casino was going to be extended into the existent lounge area and the bar was to be moved closer to the stage of the new lounge, with no petitions separating the entertainment from the gaming activities.

In early 1972, the dice table activities increased as people heard that Petula Clark, Bill Weinberger, and Sid Gathrid were playing dice at the resort and came to gamble with the stars.

In 1972, Glitter Gulch Bar showcased The Bare-bary Coast Revue featuring Peter Anthony/Jan Mills; Bonnie & Clyde; Chico Holiday; The Chopsticks; Mike Cushman; DeMatco & Day; Weela Galez; Don Hall Family; Keep Off the Grass Revue; John McCormick; Jan Mills; Jana Mitchel & Vaccaro; New Zealand Trading Company (aka Chinchilla Club); Tony Rome Show; Ron & Christmas; The Two Jokers; and Cherry Wainer. The Maitre d' was Richard Hubert.

In 1973, the Glitter Gulch Bar showcased David St. David, Don Hall Family, Keep Off The Grass Revue, Dari Lynn, and Moore & Kane.

I can find nothing further on the Bonanza after 1973. Even though the MGM and Bonanza lived side by side for some time later, I don't know when Bonanza was torn down and when it became the entrance to Bally's.

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