Hull intended to target motorists traveling from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, although his remote location was met with skepticism.

The El Rancho Vegas was designed by Wayne McAllister, and originally included 65 rooms, located in cottage bungalows spread across the hotel's property.

It struggled as a non-gaming motel, and Katleman put the property up for sale in the late 1960s, eventually selling it to businessman Howard Hughes in 1970.

[1] Thomas Hull operated several California lodging establishments in the 1930s, including two motel properties that used the "El Rancho" name.

To pass the time, Hull started counting the cars that drove along the highway, quickly realizing that it presented a perfect location for his new hotel.

Hull wanted the Las Vegas project to resemble a scaled-down version of Tijuana's Aqua Caliente resort, which McAllister had also designed.

Bankers, businessmen, and other people from California and Nevada attended the grand opening, along with acting couple Rex Bell and Clara Bow.

[2][5] According to the Los Angeles Times, the El Rancho Vegas "combines the charm and open-handed hospitality of the Old West with the convenience of today".

[24] El Rancho Vegas offered horseback riding,[25] the Round-Up Room dinner theater,[3] and a large swimming pool,[26][25] the latter located along Highway 91 to entice motorists.

[21][4] The El Rancho Vegas also offered the Stage Door Steak House, the Nugget Nell lounge,[31][32] a barbershop, a health club, and retailers such as clothing stores.

However, the El Rancho Vegas was notable for its location outside of city limits, and for its concept of a main casino building with restaurants and a theater, surrounded by lodging facilities.

With its opening, the builders of Las Vegas varied the motel archetype a bit: the sign was expanded, the lobby was enlarged to include a casino, and the room wings were surrounded by recreational facilities and lush planting.

[39] During World War II, the establishment of the Las Vegas Army Airfield and a nearby magnesium plant helped contribute to the El Rancho's success.

[11][40] This consisted of cottage homes, built by the government as recreational space for military personnel returning overseas during World War II.

[3] In June 1944, Drown sold the resort for $1.2 million to Wilbur Clark, a San Diego businessman, and Clayton Smith, a Los Angeles hotel man.

They also alleged that Marshall was a close friend of Clark, and that his gambling debt at the El Rancho Vegas was forgiven in exchange for approving the receivership.

The idea was conceived late one night after he laid out ingredients on a bar to make a sandwich, attracting the attention of hungry gamblers.

[76] The new group included Jake Katleman,[77][78] who served as the casino manager,[79] and was the principal stockholder in the El Rancho Vegas.

[41][87] In 1951, Katleman began remodeling the El Rancho Vegas and updating its ambiance, with designer Tom Douglas in charge of the renovations.

[92][93][94] In 1953, a customer, John Maher, alleged that he was held under armed guard at the El Rancho Vegas, after writing $400 in bad checks.

[113] The El Rancho's casino was closed on February 16, 1959,[114] for the first time in its history,[115] after Aronoff filed a writ of attachment against the resort, in an attempt to recover nearly $400,000 that he had invested into it.

[121] Around 4:30 a.m. on June 17, 1960, a fire broke out in the El Rancho's main building, which contained the casino, offices, buffet, lounge, steakhouse, and the Opera House dining room and showroom.

Approximately 500,000 gallons of water were used, and the fire was under control by 9:15 a.m.[125] There were no deaths or injuries,[27] but the main building – made of wood[29] – had been destroyed within an hour, and the resort was closed.

[122] Businessman Howard Hughes negotiated a $7.5 million deal to buy the property, and Katleman initially agreed before later raising the purchase price.

The Hilton Grand Vacations Club would eventually open in 2004, on 10 acres located at the southern edge of the El Rancho property.

The company, partnered with Kerzner International Resorts and Dubai World, planned to build a mixed-use development project with hotels and a casino, similar to MGM's CityCenter.

[177] Big entertainers who performed regularly at the El Rancho included Dean Martin, Sophie Tucker, Eartha Kitt,[178][32] and Joe E.

[178][179] Other performers included Tony Bennett,[180] Milton Berle,[181] Joey Bishop,[182] Jack Carter,[183] Billy Daniels,[184] Zsa Zsa Gabor,[185] Betty Grable and Harry James,[186][187][188] Betty Garrett, Larry Parks,[189] Lili St. Cyr,[7][179] Sammy Davis Jr. and the Will Mastin Trio,[190][191] Sunny Skylar, and The Williams Brothers.

[206][207] Stripper Candy Barr was headlining at El Rancho Vegas in 1959 when she was arrested by the FBI after her appeal on a marijuana conviction originating in Texas was rejected by the US Supreme Court.

[208][209] The El Rancho Vegas was a popular hangout for celebrities,[41][70][37][210] and several notable individuals were married at the resort, including Joan Blondell and Mike Todd (1947),[211] Marion Davies and Horace Brown (1951),[212][213] Hal March and Candy Toxton (1956),[214][215] Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé (1957),[216] and Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward (1958).