Nevada’s history lives on in its old hotels and casinos away from the glitz of the Las Vegas Strip. These historic properties tell stories of mining booms, Prohibition-era escapades, and the early days of legalized gambling.
From small mining towns to the first settlements, these nine landmarks offer a glimpse into Nevada’s colorful past while still welcoming guests today.
1. Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah: Once the Tallest Building in Nevada
Built in 1907 during Tonopah’s silver boom, the Mizpah Hotel stood as Nevada’s tallest building for decades. Mining magnates and wealthy investors spared no expense, creating a five-story masterpiece with elegant furnishings, crystal chandeliers, and a grand staircase that still impresses visitors today.
The hotel’s notorious “Lady in Red” ghost supposedly haunts the fifth floor, leaving pearls for lucky guests. After closing in 1999, the historic landmark underwent a loving restoration and reopened in 2011, preserving its Edwardian-era charm while adding modern comforts.
Today’s visitors can enjoy the original ornate lobby bar, admire period details throughout the building, and sleep in rooms named after famous former guests. The hotel stands as a testament to Nevada’s mining prosperity and architectural ambition in the early 20th century.
2. Goldfield Hotel in Goldfield: A Desert Icon with a Storied Past
Standing hauntingly vacant yet majestic on Goldfield’s main street, this four-story hotel represents the brief but spectacular prosperity of Nevada’s last great gold rush. Opened in 1908 at a staggering cost of $400,000, it featured telephones in every room, heated steam radiators, and an elevator when such luxuries were rare even in major cities.
Mining magnate George Wingfield’s opulent vision included a lobby adorned with mahogany paneling, black leather upholstery, and crystal chandeliers. Though closed to overnight guests since the 1940s, the building’s limestone and brick exterior remains an impressive sight in this remote ghost town.
Paranormal enthusiasts flock here for ghost tours, drawn by legends of spectral miners and a woman supposedly chained in Room 109. Preservation efforts continue to save this landmark of Nevada’s mining heritage.
3. Ormsby House in Carson City: A Landmark of the Capital
First established in 1860 by Major William Ormsby, this hotel became the social center of Nevada’s territorial days. Politicians, journalists, and visiting dignitaries gathered here when Carson City was selected as the capital. The original wooden structure burned down and was rebuilt several times before the current 10-story building took shape in 1972.
Mark Twain mentioned the Ormsby House in his writings while working as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise. The property’s glory days featured elegant dining rooms, a casino floor, and the most luxurious accommodations in the capital city.
Currently closed for renovations that have stretched over decades, the Ormsby House remains an iconic part of Carson City’s skyline. Its distinctive white exterior and blue windows stand as a reminder of Nevada’s political history and the boom-and-bust cycles that define the state.
4. Hotel Nevada in Ely: A Classic Stop on the Loneliest Road
Neon signs beckon weary travelers along Highway 50, America’s “Loneliest Road,” to this six-story brick landmark that opened in 1929. Hotel Nevada proudly advertised itself as the tallest building in Nevada when it debuted, offering luxury accommodations to miners, railroad workers, and early automobile tourists crossing the state.
The hotel’s walls display an impressive collection of mining artifacts, vintage photographs, and mounted wildlife that tell the story of eastern Nevada. Famous guests have included Hollywood stars like Wayne Newton and Ingrid Bergman, alongside politicians and notorious gangsters during its 90+ years of continuous operation.
Rooms maintain their vintage charm while the casino floor preserves the authentic feel of old Nevada gambling halls. The property survived Prohibition and the Great Depression by operating as a boarding house before returning to its original purpose when gaming was legalized in 1931.
5. Carson Nugget in Carson City: Historic Gaming Roots
Founded in 1954 by Howard Weese and Judge Clark J. Guild, the Carson Nugget represents Nevada’s mid-century casino boom that expanded beyond Las Vegas. Its distinctive neon signage and Western-themed architecture have made it a Carson City landmark for nearly seven decades.
Unlike glitzier establishments, the Nugget maintained its hometown feel while serving as a gathering place for politicians, journalists, and locals. The original casino featured just a few slot machines and table games before expanding into a full-service hotel and entertainment complex.
Famous for its oversized Awful Awful Burger that originated at the Nugget’s coffee shop, the property continues traditions started generations ago. Vintage gaming memorabilia decorates the interior, including antique slot machines and photographs of notable Nevada gamblers who frequented the establishment during the state capital’s heyday as a gaming destination.
6. Riverside Hotel in Reno: A Riverfront Gathering Place
Perched alongside the Truckee River since 1927, the Riverside Hotel symbolizes Reno’s transformation from railroad town to divorce destination. The six-story brick building replaced the original 1896 structure after a devastating fire and quickly became the most fashionable address in “The Biggest Little City.”
During Nevada’s famous six-week divorce residency period, wealthy Easterners stayed at the Riverside while establishing state residency. Hollywood celebrities including Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and Montgomery Clift lodged here while filming “The Misfits” in 1961.
After closing as a hotel in 1987, the building found new life as an arts center housing galleries, studios, and cultural spaces. The Spanish Baroque architecture with its distinctive terra cotta trim remains beautifully preserved. Its riverside terrace once hosted Reno’s elite for afternoon cocktails while watching the Truckee’s flowing waters.
7. Cal Neva Resort in Crystal Bay: Celebrity History on Lake Tahoe
Straddling the California-Nevada state line since 1926, this Lake Tahoe landmark gained fame when Frank Sinatra purchased it in 1960. The Chairman transformed the property into a playground for his Rat Pack friends and Hollywood elite, building a showroom and underground tunnels rumored to help celebrities and mobsters move discreetly between states.
Marilyn Monroe stayed in cabin #3 just weeks before her death, while President John F. Kennedy reportedly visited secretly. The resort’s Indian Room restaurant features original Native American drawings on stone walls dating back to the 1930s.
Currently closed for renovations, the Cal Neva’s distinctive circular lodge building with its timber beams remains an iconic sight on Tahoe’s north shore. Ghost stories abound about Sinatra and Monroe haunting their former retreat. The property represents the glamorous intersection of entertainment, politics, and alleged mob connections that defined Nevada gaming in its golden era.
8. El Cortez Hotel and Casino in Downtown Las Vegas: Old Vegas Preserved
Opening its doors in 1941, El Cortez stands as the longest continuously running hotel-casino in Las Vegas. Mobster Bugsy Siegel and his associates briefly owned the property in 1945 before selling it at a profit to finance the Flamingo’s construction on what would become the Strip.
The Spanish Colonial Revival exterior remains largely unchanged since the 1940s, making it a favorite for film productions seeking authentic vintage Vegas settings. Inside, vintage cage elevators, classic neon, and the original lobby ceiling preserve the atmosphere of mid-century Sin City.
Located on historic Fremont Street, El Cortez survived as downtown declined when mega-resorts dominated the Strip. Today, it attracts visitors seeking authentic Vegas gaming with lower table minimums and looser slots than its glitzier counterparts. The property earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013, cementing its status as a true Las Vegas landmark.
9. Virginia City’s Delta Saloon and Hotel: Echoes of the Comstock Era
Housed in a stone building dating to the 1860s silver boom, the Delta Saloon contains what many consider Nevada’s most famous gambling device: the “Suicide Table.” Legend claims three different owners killed themselves after losing fortunes at this faro table, earning it its macabre nickname.
The establishment began as a simple miners’ drinking hall before expanding to include overnight rooms, gambling, and entertainment. Original pressed tin ceilings, antique bar fixtures, and period furnishings transport visitors back to Virginia City’s heyday when the Comstock Lode produced millions in silver.
Mark Twain would recognize much of the Delta’s interior from his days reporting for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper in Virginia City. Located on C Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, the Delta continues serving drinks and basic accommodations to tourists exploring this remarkably preserved mining town perched on the slopes of Mount Davidson.
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