The Meadows Casino & Hotel
About
The Meadows was the first resort hotel-casino in Las Vegas, opening on May 2, 1931, just weeks after Nevada legalized gambling on March 19, 1931. Built by brothers Frank and Louis Cornero (later known as Tony Cornero), the property was located on what was then the outskirts of town at the intersection of Fremont Street and Charleston Boulevard. The Meadows featured 30 rooms, a small casino with table games (slot machines were not yet widespread), a restaurant, and the Meadows Revue nightclub show. The property was rustic but luxurious for its time, with air conditioning being a notable amenity in the desert. The Meadows was closed by the federal government in 1942 under the May Act during World War II, which targeted vice near military installations (Nellis Air Force Base). The building was destroyed by fire in 1943.
Key Stats
Amenities
Highlights
- First resort hotel-casino in Las Vegas
- Historic significance
- Pioneered the casino-hotel concept
Consider
- Primitive by modern standards
- Short operational life
- No surviving structures
Dining Highlights
Nearby Attractions
The Meadows Casino & Hotel FAQ
Was The Meadows really the first casino hotel in Las Vegas?
Yes, The Meadows opened on May 2, 1931, making it the first resort hotel-casino in Las Vegas, just weeks after gambling was legalized in Nevada.
Why did The Meadows close?
The federal government closed it in 1942 under the May Act during World War II, which prohibited vice near military installations. The building was destroyed by fire in 1943.
Who built The Meadows?
Brothers Frank and Louis Cornero (Tony Cornero) built The Meadows, using profits from their bootlegging operations during Prohibition.
