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The Boulder Club

The Boulder club was one of the first casinos to open to serve the workers of the Boulder dam in 1929 .

The Boulder Club made the news in 1931 when the famous evangelist Minnie “Ma” Kennedy came to Las Vegas and gave a sermon on top of one of the Boulder Club blackjack tables.
Ma Kennedy is also the mother of the more famous Aimee Semple McPherson who dissapeared in 1926 while swimming. She later re-appeared claiming to have been kidnapped. The disappearance was never solved.
Boulder Club advertising Ma Kennedys visit. This is the Boulder club advertising the visit of Ma Kennedy, the day after she made her sermon on the blackjack table.

This is pre-electric signage.
But the  Boulder club really rose to fame when it erected the first electric light display in 1934. And as such become responsible for what is known a “Glitter Gulch”.
The sign was erected by the Young Electric Sign Company which became responsible for almost three quarters of Las Vegas’ electric signage.
The Boulder Club in the process of errectng it's electric signage in 1934. The Boulder Club errecting it's electric sign in 1934.
The boulder club closed its doors in 1960, but not without leaving a permanent mark on Las Vegas, making itself an integral part in the history of the gambling world.

Significant Dates

21 December 1928
The signing of the Swing-Johnson Bill was anounced. The bill sanctioned the building of a dam at or near Boulder canyon.  
1929
The Boulder club opens it|s doors, to cater to all the Boulder Canyon Project workers.  
March 1931
Nevada legalizes gambling.  
1934
The Boulder club errects the first electric signage  
29 May 1935
The construction of Boulder dam completes, ahead of schedule and under budget.  
Chip used at the Boulder Club
Above: Boulder Club Chip
Did you spend more tonight than you originally planned?