Post #522379 by Dustycajun on Tue, Apr 6, 2010 12:35 PM

Some more history.

The Castaways was originally the Sans Souci hotel.

In 1963, the name was changed to the Castaways Hotel & Casino when a group of investors headed by Ike P. LaRue of Jackson, Mississippi, remodeled it.

Sometime later somebody came up with the idea of putting a 1,500-gallon fish tank behind the bar. It didn't have a fish in it. A nude showgirl swam lazily through the water three times a day holding her breath while everyone watching held theirs.

The Castaways ran into financial trouble in late 1964, and the casino was forced to close down. The hotel, showrooms, and restaurant continued to operate.

It reopened in 1967, as Oliver's New Castaways Casino when Oliver Kable bought the resort. The Castaways had 230 suites.

In 1969 or 1970, The Castaways was sold to Howard Hughes via Hughes Tool Company for $3 million dollars.

Here is an aerial showing the entire grounds. What is that round stone structure in the foreground right?

As far as the architecture goes, I found out that the architect for the Castways in Miami, M. Tony Sherman, also designed the Tropicana in Las Vegas but not the Vegas Castaways.

He also designed the cool Jolly Roger in Fort Lauderdale which I understand has gained historical status.

Still no solid connection between the Miami and Las Vegas Castaways.

DC