Opening in 1942 as the Last Frontier, this was the second hotel/casino on the Las Vegas Strip, following the El Rancho Vegas, which opened the year before. The property underwent numerous name changes over the course of its 65 years in business: Last Frontier (1942), New Frontier (1956), the Frontier (1967), and once again the New Frontier (1998). The “longhorn” Frontier signage in the Boneyard is estimated to be from the 1980s.
Elvis Presley had his Las Vegas performance debut at the New Frontier in 1956. Originally booked for a two-week engagement opening for comedian Shecky Green. Presley found little success as his teenage fan-base was not permitted entry to see him perform. His performance, mostly in front of an unimpressed middle-aged audience, lasted about 12 minutes. Elvis, not thrilled by his lackluster reception, did not return to Las Vegas stages until 1969, for his legendary engagement at the International Hotel (now the Westgate Las Vegas) which ran for over 600 sold-out shows.
The Frontier was also the site of the longest labor strike in U.S. history. Started in September 1991 over cuts in benefits and compensation. The strike ended in February 1998, in favor of Culinary Workers Local #226. Overall, it lasted a total of six years, four months, and ten days.
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