Wilbur Clark moved to Las Vegas in 1943. He operated the Monte Carlo Casino, downtown, until around 1949. With his profits from the sale of the Monte Carlo, he began building the Desert Inn. He ran out of money before he finished, and took in Moe Dalitz as his partner.

The Desert Inn opened in 1950 and was called Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn until 1967. When Howard Hughes came to Las Vegas in 1966, he moved into the top floor of the DI. The DI management wanted him to move out so they could use the penthouse for high rollers. Howard Hughes wanted to stay, so he bought the hotel. After the DI, Hughes bought 6 more Nevada Hotel/Casinos (5 more in LV, and Harold's Club in Reno).

This card is from 1951

Also from 1951

The Sheraton Corporation ran the DI from 1993-1998

I've heard that there are 8 of these cactus menus out there...we only have 4 (so far! )

The MC plate is from the Monte Carlo room, a gourmet restaurant in the DI. Notice the sugar cubes...they resemble pairs of dice.

The DI was open until 2000. Now the site of the Wynn.