The Story Of What's Buried Under This Classic Nevada Hotel Will Give You Chills

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Nevada—and certainly Las Vegas—has its share of allegedly haunted locations. Downtown Las Vegas is rife with stories of haunted hotels and the ghosts that haunt the Mobster Museum. One of the most famous of these locations is the historic El Cortez hotel, located at 600 Fremont Street. Read on to learn about the history of this classic Nevada hotel, Las Vegas mobsters, and the chilling secret in the basement.

The El Cortez Hotel was built in 1941 as downtown Las Vegas' first major hotel resort with 59 rooms and at a cost of $245,000.

In 1945, original owners John Kell Houssels and John Grayson sold the El Cortez to a midwest group of investors that included mobster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel.

In 1952, the El Cortez installed its neon arrow, marquee, and signature large roof sign which remain downtown landmarks.

In 1963, Jackie Gaughan purchased the El Cortez. Gaughan was fiercely loyal and provided an excellent standard of care to his customers; however, he did harbor a little secret in the basement of his hotel: the cremated remains of several bodies. Legend has it that many of these ashes belonged to former employees who had no family, as well as other, shall we say, rivals, placing the El Cortez on many Haunted Las Vegas lists.

One of Siegel's henchmen, "Fat Irish" Green was left behind at the El Cortez when Jackie Gaughan purchased it. Green allegedly had a briefcase full of ill-begotten cash he was guarding for Siegel. In return, Green got free room and board for life at the El Cortez. When Green died, rumor has it that he now haunts the hotel's vintage wing.

Current employees report having had paranormal experiences and refuse to go to certain areas of the hotel, particularly the basement.

The El Cortez Hotel today. If you take the Haunted Nevada tour, you will hear the story about early Las Vegas mobsters and the ashes in the El Cortez's basement.

Whether you believe in ghosts and haunted hotels or not, the El Cortez is a classic Nevada hotel rumored to be full of ghosts. Have you visited and/or stayed in this classic Nevada hotel? Please share your experiences below.

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The Story Of What's Buried Under This Classic Nevada Hotel Will Give You Chills

Natalie Faulk

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