The El Morocco is gone! Peppermill Threatened!

El%20Morocco.jpg

The wonderful little El Morocco on the Las Vegas Strip was torn down this afternoon. Located next to the La Concha and the Peppermill Restaurant, the El Morocco opened in 1964. It was originally a Motel. The Bank of Las Vegas had a branch in the main building and the lobby was located there as well. The architecture with its scalloped windows fit right in with the nearby La Concha. It was briefly called Ash Resnick's El Morocco. Jack Dennison opened his very popular eatery, Jack Dennison's Copper Cart restaurantt that was known for its steaks and prime rib dinners. The Copper Cart later became the Carving Cart after Dennison had moved on.

A casino replaced the Bank of Las Vegas in the 1970s. In addition to the casino there was a coffee shop, cocktail lounge and a full service beauty salon

The motel stayed in operation through the 1990s. The casino portion of the main building became a gift shop in 1983. The motel lobby became the popular Gingseng Korean B-B-Que Restaurant in the 1990s.

By 2000, that restaurant had closed and the entire building became a souvenir store and internet cafe. Part of the motel wing was demolished in October, 2006.

The rest of the motel wing and the main building were slated for demolition and that process began on Friday.

The loss of the El Morocco is sad. The Strip continues to be overtaken by large faux Tuscan and Mediterranean architecture that is devoid of character. The El Morocco was a hold-over from the days when the Las Vegas Strip celebrated roadside architecture and signage. It would have been a wonderful addition to the Neon Museum and joined the La Concha there. But, sadly, it was not to be.

The Peppermill which also was near the El Morocco is threatened as well. Though it is a popular eatery, the truth is that the land that Peppermill sits on is very valuable and that could doom the famed eatery and Fireside Lounge to the wrecking ball.

We will keep you posted!

El%20Morocco%20at%20night.jpg

The El Morocco at night.

Films%20developed.jpg

Pieces of history

Lighting%20fixture.jpg

Jack%20Dennison's.jpg

Jack Dennison's Copper Cart and the El Morroco

Special Thanks to RoadsidePictures for letting us use these images.

Posted on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 5:34PM by

LasVegasLynn in Current Day, Historical, Las Vegas History, Las Vegas Strip, Memories, Neon, Roadside Architecture, automobile |

14 Comments

View Printer Friendly Version

Email Article to Friend

Reader Comments (14)

That's really sad. El Morocco and La Concha were two of my favorite places to see when I came to Las Vegas as a tourist just because of their unique architecture. In fact, I used to love that all of the resorts and motels had their own look and theme, but those days are gone. It's too bad really, all the newer places are so dull and cold. At least La Concha survived.

March 10, 2008 |

Rob-L

Another one bites the dust!! And I guess it wasn't saved, and relocated, like the La Concha.

I hope that the Peppermill truly isn't being threatened (but it doesn't surprise me). That's one of the few restaurants around with a distinct 70's (updated) theme and history. And I love the sunken fireplace in the bar. I also like the hot pink and blue neon color scheme.

It's been used in several movies (notably "Casino") and is the favorite hangout of many local celebrities (Penn Jillette, of Penn and Teller, among them).

Say it isn't so - that it won't go!

March 12, 2008 |

Judy

I remember when I was 15 staying at the el morroco. We were in our room by the pool all of us huddled around the t.v. Watching neil Armstrong taking his first step on the moon! Later that night we went to the movies to see john Wayne in true grit. What a great night that was!

April 11, 2008 |

ken

first place I ever stayed in vegas in 1979 - fond memories.. really starting to dislike vegas.. and it was a fave destination of mine for decades - not much of the vegas cool is left.. you have to go downtown.. but so rundown.. it wont be there forever either

April 24, 2008 |

adam

Happy during our Christmas in Vegas 2007 I dragged the significant other to The Peppermill and on the way out snapped some shots of what once was this cool old motel ... such CHARM even run down and in it's last days.

Simple pleasures like this MADE Vegas famous.

June 4, 2008 |

RJP3

We used to stay here when I was a teenager back in the 1970's.

I remember the swimming pool, the copper cart and walking over to Circus Circus to play the first video games like pong.

June 6, 2008 |

Tom

So sad to see this old time Las Vegas place gone. Loved the Peppermill and the Fireside lounge was so cozy and romantic. Nice memories. I miss the old Las Vegas.

February 27, 2009 |

Karolyn

I remember as a kid in the 70's, on our way to the family cabin from Califoria to Utah, we would stay a few nights in Las Vegas - both going and coming back. One of my most fondest memories was going to the El Morocco with my grandma, parents and sisters for their free shrimp cocktail. My grandma would always have a few coupons good for one shrimp cocktail. We would then venture over to Stardust and have brunch the next morning at The Royal. I really really miss 60's/70's Vegas.

September 11, 2009 |

Wally4th

Hate to see all of the old Vegas go away. Me and my family took a trip to vegas every year at Christmas time when I was a kid. The first time I stayed there was in 1977. My father would take me to the Carving cart every morning for breakfest. They had the best strawbery waffles. And the frozen yogurt was the best. For twelve years that was my home for christmas. So many great memories of that area in vegas. Would love to take my father for strawberry waffles one last time.

September 3, 2010 |

Scott

You mention that Jack Dennison "moved on"- he certainly Did- he was allegedly poisoned by his wife who was allegedly having an affair with a Verteranarian who allegedly poisoned His wife. I loved Jack's "humility"-"In MY humble opinon it's the ONLY place to dine". His magnificent head of hair- a Really Classy Guy! Folks would drive from Florida to eat at The Cart!

March 14, 2011 |

William Carter

Does anyone remember the vibrating beds? I remember as a kid around 1980 usinig quarters for the beds and the mirrors on the ceilings, as kids we thought it was a play ground!! I remember the rooms were red. Now that I think about it I hope I didn't use the bed spread as a blanket!!

August 26, 2011 |

Karen

The El Morroco was the first motel/hotel I ever stayed at in Vegas in March 1979 during Spring Break. It was my first ever visit to Vegas. It was recommended by my Mother in Law. The first time in my life that I ever gambled anywhere was at the blackjack tables in the El Morroco Casino. I think I got 15 dollars ahead and I quit. We always ate at the Peppermil next door.

January 25, 2012 |

Mike Ryan

El Morocco was the first place I ever stayed in Vegas in the mid 80s. I remember it, well. First time I ever saw and tried a vibrating bed. We used to go to a little piano bar away from the Strip called Play It Again Sam. Very entertaining times. The last few times I've been to Vegas it seemed like a giant Disneyworld with less reliance on gambling as a source of income. It's now more family friendly but because there's less reliance on gamblers the meals are much, much more expensive (but just as good).

February 21, 2012 |

Waliboy

I've been to Vegas a few times (back in the 70's and 80's) and always checked into the El Morocco. the city had character back then--Nob Hill, El Morocco, and the Castaways, among many others. Now it's just a bunch of over-the-top flash with absolutely NO ambience. How sad..... If I ever won millions of dollars, I'd bring back the old (i.e., GOOD) hotels. Are you listening, Donald Trump?????

February 17, 2013 |

Anita

Post a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »

Author:

Author Email (optional):

Author URL (optional):

Post:

↓ | ↑

All HTML will be escaped. Hyperlinks will be created for URLs automatically.