I spent a lot of time hanging out in the joints that
occupied the Sahara/LV blvd corner. The Centerfold
had gambling and topless dancers but gaming control
wasn’t keen on that combination and required a curtain
separating the two. When I first came to town in 1965
the location was a Mayfair market where I used to buy
donuts. There was a coin shop on the south end of the
center that sold silver dollars for under $2. There was a
dry cleaner next to Honest John’s where I ate free peanuts
at the bar. Every time the light at the intersection changed,
a very loud bell would ring. The Big Wheel, later just the
Wheel preceded the Centerfold and later became the Jolly
Trolley that had the best steak sandwiches in town. To the
West was the Jackpot Casino that had a one dollar Baccarat
game dealt with real dollar bills. There was a drug store on
the far east of the center. The Money Tree with loud bells
and flashing red lights was the last joint before the whole
place became the Bonanza gift shop. Vegas was a fun place
in the 60s and 70s.