Vegas Myths Busted Howard Hughes – VEGAS MYTHS BUSTED: From Secret Tunnels to Winning Slot Machines | 10BET
VEGAS MYTHS BUSTED: From Hidden Tunnels to Winning Slot Machines
Many tales circulate in the glitzy underbelly of Las Vegas, but few are as tantalising as the legend of Howard Hughes allegedly constructing a secret tunnel beneath Las Vegas Boulevard. Many tales circulate in the glitzy underbelly of Las Vegas, but few are as tantalising as the legend of Howard Hughes allegedly constructing a secret tunnel beneath Las Vegas Boulevard. It is whispered that this underground passage was designed to allow him to move undetected between the Desert Inn, his residence from 1966 to 1970, and the Frontier Hotel. Some theorists even suggest these hidden routes were meant to bypass the crowded casino floors, allowing him to oversee the massive influx of wealth generated by the spinning reels of the citys most lucrative slot machines.
Upon investigating the origins of this captivating urban myth, we speculated that it might stem from a mixture of Hughes’ mysterious persona and the real Desert Inn Road Super Arterial, which opened in 1996 and runs beneath the Las Vegas Strip, alleviating traffic congestion. However, our research unveiled a more compelling narrative from the enigmatic years of Hughes in Las Vegas.
Tunnel Vision
The notion of a hidden tunnel was supposedly popularised by Wayne Newton, a Las Vegas entertainer frequenting both hotels. A forum post on Tripadvisor dated back to 2012 mentioned that Newton claimed to have used the tunnel. Yet, in our thorough search of Newton’s interviews and memoir, we found no reference to such a passageway.
Moreover, the construction of a tunnel beneath Las Vegas Boulevard would require substantial documentation, such as county permits and excavation records, which are notably nonexistent.
The Real Reason
The last surviving member of Hughes’ inner circle, Paul B. Winn, disclosed to us an astonishing piece of history. He revealed that Bill Gay, president of Hughes’ Summa Corporation, truly explored the idea of building a public pedestrian bridge connecting the Desert Inn and Frontier.
Winn mentioned, “They wanted to build it wide enough to have slot machines so that people could enjoy a bit of gambling on their way across.” Over time, perhaps this sensible project morphed into lore, giving the impression that Hughes preferred secrecy.
Due to Las Vegas Boulevard being designated as a federal highway at the time, building a bridge was deemed impossible, leading to the eventual decommissioning of US Route 91 in 1974.
The first pedestrian bridge linking the MGM Grand and New York-New York opened in 1995, thus cementing a historical misunderstanding that likely transformed a straightforward proposal into a tale of intrigue.
Join us every Monday for more entertaining insights as we continue to investigate myths surrounding the famed city of Las Vegas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main Las Vegas myth discussed in the article?
The main myth is that Howard Hughes built secret tunnels beneath Las Vegas Boulevard to move between the Desert Inn and the Frontier Hotel undetected.
Who supposedly popularized the notion of a hidden tunnel?
Wayne Newton, a Las Vegas entertainer, supposedly popularized the notion, though no evidence of his claims appears in his interviews or memoir.
What was the real reason behind the idea of connecting the Desert Inn and Frontier?
The real reason was Bill Gay’s exploration of building a public pedestrian bridge connecting the two hotels, possibly with slot machines, a project that was eventually deemed impossible due to Las Vegas Boulevard’s status as a federal highway.
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