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Vegas4Visitors Museum: The Showboat (1954-2000)
The Showboat opened in 1954 at the far end of Fremont Street at the intersection of Boulder Highway. Although considered a Downtown hotel/casino, it was actually far enough away from Glitter Gulch (and even further from The Strip) that it existed as its own little island. The hotel was purchased in 1999 by Harrah’s Entertainment, which then turned around and sold it in 2000 to a company that remodeled and rebranded it as The Castaways (no relation to the Castaways on The Strip). It went bankrupt and closed in 2004 and the property was purchased in 2005 by Station Casinos. The hotel and casino have been torn down.

  • Postcard - Exterior
  • Postcard - Exterior
  • 60s Postcard - Exterior
  • Showboat (1954-2000)

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    Postcard - Exterior
    This colorful postcard shows two shots of The Showboat – on the bottom a nighttime rendering of the colorful paddlewheel themed exterior of the casino and at the top a daytime shot of the pool and hotel areas. The wing on the right side of the photo remained operational until the hotel closed in 2004.

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    Postcard - Exterior
    An interesting "up close" shot of the exterior of The Showboat with it's riverboat theme all lit up in neon. The two people in the photograph? I'm thinking not mannequins but boy is it hard to tell.

    The back of the postcard reads "This is one of the nation's most unique resort hotels where visitors are greeted with the fabulous illusion of a great Mississippi river boat steaming across the Nevada desert. The Showboat's Hotel, Casino and great stage shows offer a maximum in comfort, convenience and fun."

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    60s Postcard - Exterior
    This daytime shot of The Showboat is interesting because of the signs on the wall of the casino building on the right of the photo. They advertise "Great Entertainment," "Bingo" (with a $5,000 jackpot), and a "One-Stop, Fun Spot Casino."

    The back of the postcard reads "This is one of the nation's most unique resort hotels where visitors are greeted with the fabulous illusion of a great Mississippi river boat steaming across the Nevada desert. The Showboat's Hotel, Casino and great stage shows offer a maximum in comfort, convenience and fun."

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