As best I can tell in researching the Club La Rue, located on the strip in Las Vegas, is that it was built by Billy Wilkerson, perhaps partially with what ever funds he might have received from Bugsey Seigel when he sold him his interest in the Flamingo after he ran out of money. It sounded like Club La Rue was a small establishment, and, with Billy Wilkerson's background, I would surmise it was a club more concerned with dining and entertainment than it was with getting its primary income from the casino. I surmise that the casino was small, even by the standards of the day.

It opened in 1950 and closed in 1951, I again surmise due to a lack of operating capital. It reopened sometime in 1951, perhaps with a new owner or investor, and, I presume, closed sometime between 1952 and 1954. What I'm not clear in is whether it closed in 1952 and the Sands was built on its location, or the Sands was built adjacent to Club La Rue, and upon its closing, or forcing Club La Rue to close, the Sands expanded onto its location.

Can anyone add-to or correct any of these details, and perhaps shed some more information on the closing of Club La Rue and the opening of the Sands.

Thanks in advance.