Wow. Look at that giant neon slipper. It’s the Silver Slipper neon sign. This isn’t just any sign. It’s a piece of Las Vegas history.
The Silver Slipper casino opened in 1950. It was originally called the Golden Slipper. But it was quickly renamed to avoid a lawsuit from another casino with a similar name. The Silver Slipper stood just north of the Frontier hotel. Both shared ownership at one point. The casino later leased its gaming operations.
Howard Hughes leased the Silver Slipper from 1968 until his death in 1976. There are myths about Hughes and the neon sign. Some say he bought the casino because the sign’s lights bothered him. Others claim he feared photographers hiding inside the giant slipper. Those stories are untrue. Hughes kept his drapes closed. He never mentioned the sign in his memos.
The Silver Slipper featured burlesque shows. It also hosted legendary entertainers like Hank Henry and Christine Jorgensen. The casino even had a weekly boxing series. The Silver Slipper’s two-story building boasted a large convention hall. It was once the largest in Nevada. The casino also showcased artwork by Julian Ritter.
Unfortunately the Silver Slipper closed in 1988. An ownership change led to its demise. It was demolished to make way for a parking lot. The plan to rebuild it as a high-rise never happened. The site remains vacant.
But the iconic neon slipper survived. It’s twelve feet tall with over 900 bulbs. After the casino’s closure the sign went to the Neon Museum. Singer Wayne Newton even posed with it. His foot went through the toe. The sign was restored and placed on a median. It’s now a beloved landmark. It stands as a reminder of the Silver Slipper’s dazzling past. The Silver Slipper’s legacy lives on in this fantastic neon sign. This dazzling testament to a bygone era shines brightly. It beckons visitors to remember Las Vegas’s vibrant history.