Terrible's Hotel and Casino

Terrible’s Hotel and Casino was situated in the heart of Las Vegas off of Paradise Road. The property featured 325 guest rooms, jacuzzi suites, an oversized pool and spa, state-of-the-art 200-seat bingo room, and a lavish gaming floor that housed more than 900 slots, non-stop table game action and a race & sports betting parlor.

Founder Jerry Herbst was among the first to introduce the idea of the convenience store to drivers. He piloted the notion that a gas station was more than just a place to fill your car up with gas, it was also a place to fill up the folks INSIDE the car too. Herbst’s stations offered a full range of snacks, drinks and other must-haves that expanded his business beyond the pump.

Herbst was dubbed “The P.T. Barnum of Gasoline” for his over the top marketing techniques to get customers lined up to buy his gas. Stations gave away free bubble gum, offered pony rides to young buckaroos and even handed out free orchids to the female customers. These memorable marketing ideas kept customers coming back for more and helped grow his business throughout the southwest.

The Neon Museum also has another “Terrible” in our collection. Located in the Small Business section of the Main Boneyard. Terrible can be seen tipping his trademark black hat and offering his ever-friendly “Howdy” greeting. In the spirit of Terrible’s founder Jerry Herbst he makes visitors to our Boneyard feel welcome, even without free pony rides.  The Museum also house a larger “Terrible” in the North Gallery as part of the immersive experience “Brilliant! Jackpot.”