In 1969, the International Hotel opened as the largest and tallest hotel in Las Vegas. Built on the grounds of Las Vegas Park, a defunct horse racing track in the late 50s. One of the first resorts built off of “The Strip,” The International has, from its very inception, had to provide the best Vegas had to offer to attract its guests. Perhaps the biggest attraction Vegas has ever had was Elvis Presley, who played his first show at the International Hotel in 1969, less than a month of the opening of the hotel. This first performance on July 31st, 1969 would be the first of 636 consecutive sold-out shows, a run that was seemingly only cut short by his untimely death in 1977.
In 1971, despite the hotel's success, the original owners of the International Hotel were in financial trouble and forced to sell the International (and the Flamingo) to the Hilton company. Under new ownership, the hotel was now known as the Las Vegas Hilton. In the 1970’s, the property rose to be arguably the most successful in town. In the 1970s and 80s the Hilton expanded with over 1000 new rooms, numerous suites, and a sports arena (primarily used for boxing). By the late ’80s, the casino was known for being one of the few casinos that could attract high rollers.
Pictured above is a $1 chip from the Las Vegas Hilton. Minted in 1972, this chip has seen everything, from Elvis to Muhammad Ali to decades of gamblers, truly a piece of Vegas history. This chip and all other degen memorabilia are proudly on display in the Degen’s Museum.