Tony Cornero, an Italian-American bootlegger turned casino operator, opened The Meadows in 1931—one of the first resort-style casinos in Las Vegas. His vision anticipated the modern integrated resort by decades, though his timing was too early.

From Bootlegger to Builder

Cornero made his fortune running rum during Prohibition. When Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, he saw an opportunity to go legitimate. The Meadows represented his vision for a new kind of entertainment venue.

The Vision

Unlike the sawdust joints on Fremont Street, The Meadows offered fine dining, lavish entertainment, and high-stakes gambling under one roof. It was the first glimpse of what Las Vegas would eventually become—though the market wasn't ready.

The Failure

Despite its innovation, The Meadows closed in 1932, a victim of the Depression, legal troubles, and perhaps being too far ahead of its time. Cornero's alleged ties to organized crime also complicated his operations.

Legacy

Cornero never stopped dreaming. He later tried to build the Stardust, dying of a heart attack at the craps table in 1955 while still fighting for licenses. The casino eventually opened without him—a monument to a vision he never lived to see completed.