Boulder City, Nev. Moves to Protect the Historic Motels That Vegas Bulldozes

Posted on: April 14, 2026, 03:09h. 

Last updated on: April 14, 2026, 03:09h.

Corey Levitan Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas, Restaurants, Vegas Myths Busted.
  • Boulder City, Nev. has approved a plan to create a protected district for its historic motels
  • This initiative follows the recent demolition of three landmark mid-century motels by Las Vegas
  • The district will provide legal protections for eight vintage properties that have hosted visitors to Hoover Dam since 1932

Boulder City, Nev. is taking steps to safeguard the icons of Nevada’s roadside history that are rapidly disappearing just 25 miles away in Las Vegas. On April 10, the Boulder City Historic Preservation Commission (BCHP) voted unanimously to advance a proposal creating a Boulder City Motel Historic District.

The El Rancho Boulder Motel, no relation to the El Rancho in Las Vegas, opened in 1954. (Image: Shutterstock)

If successful, the measure aims to help prevent what happened last month in Las Vegas, where three historic mid-century motels, all previously abandoned along Fremont Street, were torn down.

The eight similar mid-century motels listed below have hosted visitors to Hoover Dam at Boulder City since 1932. All were documented in the city’s intensive‑level architectural survey, which found that its main thoroughfare, Nevada Way, retains a rare concentration of intact mid‑century motor‑court architecture.

  1. Nevada Inn (built in 1932)
  2. Western Inn Motel (1936)
  3. Boulder City Inn (1948)
  4. Flamingo Inn (1949)
  5. El Rancho Boulder Motel (1954)
  6. Kitchenettes (1960)
  7. Oasis Boutique Motel (1962)
  8. Sands Motel of Boulder City (1967)

Though the Flamingo, El Rancho and Sands all share their names with historic casino hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, they never shared ownership. Boulder City has prohibited gambling since its founding in 1931, and its motels developed independently as modest roadside lodging rather than resort destinations.

Lost Vegas

The Valley Motel is one of three Fremont Street motels torn down by the city of Las Vegas in March. (Image: Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty)

The preservation push comes as Las Vegas continues to lose its own mid‑century motel stock. In March, the shuttered Alicia, Gables, and Valley motels on Fremont Street were demolished after years of deterioration, fires, vandalism, and unresolved code violations.

All were once part of the property portfolio of former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, who had promised to renovate them but never did.

Their removal followed a pattern of teardown activity that has erased much of Las Vegas’ historic motel landscape.

Designating a section of Boulder City as a historic motel district would provide legal protections and financial incentives to maintain the properties’ architectural character.

Before the proposal moves to the City Council, each motel owner will have the opportunity to provide input at a public hearing.