Pioneer Club Las Vegas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pioneer Club |
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| Location | Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 |
| Address | 25 E Fremont Street |
| Opening date | April 10, 1942 |
| Closing date | 1995 |
| Theme | Old Western |
| Signature attractions | Vegas Vic |
| Casino type | Land |
| Owner | Schiff Enterprises |
| Coordinates | 36°10′16″N 115°08′43″W / 36.1712°N 115.1454°W |
The Pioneer Club was a famous casino in Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. It opened in 1942 on Fremont Street. This fun place stopped being a casino in 1995. That was the same year the Fremont Street Experience opened. Today, the building still stands, but it's now a souvenir shop.
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History of the Pioneer Club
The building where the Pioneer Club was located was quite old. It was built in 1918 and first used as a restaurant. The Pioneer Club and its lounge officially opened in April 1942. It was right on the corner of 1st Street and Fremont Street.
Growing Bigger in Downtown Las Vegas
The Pioneer Club grew over the years. In 1965, it bought the Elwell Hotel. This hotel was right behind the club. They renamed it the Pioneer Club Hotel. However, the hotel was sold in 1969 and became the Golden Hotel.
Later, in 1983, the Pioneer Club bought Club Bingo. This allowed them to make their casino area much larger. For a while, from 1956 to 1967, it was even called the New Pioneer Club.
Changes and Closing Down
For many years, the Pioneer Club was one of the most popular casinos in downtown Las Vegas. Different owners managed the club over time. One owner also owned the Frontier Hotel on The Strip.
By 1992, new owners took over the Pioneer Club. But it was hard for them to compete. There were bigger casinos on Fremont Street. Also, huge new resorts were opening on The Strip. Because of this, the Pioneer Club closed its doors in 1995.
The building stayed empty for a few years. Then, in 1998, Schiff Enterprises bought it. They turned the old casino into a souvenir store. Even today, the classic Pioneer Club signs and the famous Vegas Vic sign are still on the outside of the building.
Meet Vegas Vic, the Neon Cowboy
Even though the Pioneer Club is no longer a casino, Vegas Vic is still there! He is a giant 40-foot-tall neon cowboy. He is one of the most famous sights on Fremont Street.
How Vegas Vic Was Created
In 1947, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce wanted a friendly symbol for the city. They hired a company that created the idea of a cowboy. This cowboy was named Vegas Vic. He had a friendly "Howdy Podner" greeting.
The Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) was asked to build a neon version of Vegas Vic. They hired an artist named Pat Denner. He designed the sign based on the Chamber of Commerce's cowboy image. Vegas Vic was a cowboy in blue jeans, a yellow-checked shirt, and a red bandanna.
Vegas Vic's Debut
The huge neon sign of Vegas Vic was put up on the outside of the Pioneer Club in 1951. This changed the look of the club forever! Vegas Vic quickly became a beloved landmark.
Vegas Vic and the outside of the Pioneer Club even appeared in a famous movie. They were shown in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever.
Images for kids
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The Pioneer Club in the 1950s
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The Pioneer Club in 1973
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A close-up of Vegas Vic after his restoration in 1998
