by Christine Lorraine Morgan ~ December 6, 2023

Touring the west with my mom, Marge Frazzini, in 1989 resulted in this collection of photos, as well as a video which is posted on youtube titled “Rayna River’s Quest for Gold.”

From what I’m told, three out of four places presented here have changed notably, the one which remains constant is Montezuma’s Castle. It’s tricky to renovate an ancient apartment complex carved into a mountainside. Probably not allowed either (thank goodness).

All of these images were captured on film as there were no digital cameras, personal computers, cell phones or other digital nonsense available at the time. Don’t get me wrong, I love today’s technology, but I also recognize that we were able to somehow survive before it all existed.

Please enjoy this photographic presentation as well as the 30-minute video feature at the bottom of this page. Thanks.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Holiday Casino – This colorful riverboat casino was demolished in 1997, the property changed to Harrah’s in 1992.

Caesars Palace – The sign in front of this historic haven of gambling proclaims “Diana Ross.” This place has expanded and changed its appearance dramatically in a big-time Vegas way since this 1989 film image.

The Mirage – The appearance of this palm-tree studded spot hasn’t changed too much over time, based on photos we perused on the internet.

The Riviera with Sahara billboard – This is still one of the most colorful, brightest casinos in Vegas at night when the lights kick in. Hasn’t changed a whole lot since this 1989 film photo. What has changed a bit, though, are prices for food at the Sahara. Doubt there’s a 14-oz T-bone steak on the menu for $6.95 anymore. We did find a “Surf and Turf 8oz Prime Flat Iron Steak with metro d’ butter, 5oz Lobster Tail, Mashed Potato, Whiskey Glaze Vegetables” for $60 on the present menu at Chickie and Pete’s at the Sahara.

Excalibur – This is another Las Vegas casino which hasn’t changed too much in appearance since 1989. Those cute little castle turrets light up the night sky with a colorful display.

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GHOST TOWN IN JEROME, AZ

Jerome/Haynes was a copper mining town that was established in the 1870s, and eventually abandoned, then revived into a ghost town museum of sorts. When we visited in 1989 it was owned by a gentleman named Don Roberts.

Author Christine Lorraine Morgan poses and pauses to offer a treat to one of the mules at the Jerome, AZ ghost town.

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HOOVER DAM – Clark County, Nevada

In 1989 there was a place titled “Snacks.” Today there is a pretty snazzy looking spot named The High Scaler Cafe.

Vantage-point view of the Black Canyon and the Colorado River from the Hoover Dam.

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“Montezuma Castle National Monument protects a set of well-preserved dwellings located in Camp Verde, Arizona, which were built and used by the Sinagua people, a pre-Columbian culture closely related to the Hohokam and other indigenous peoples of the southwestern United States, between approximately AD 1100 and 1425,” according to Wikipedia.

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Thanks for visiting this photographic presentation, please check out our 30-minute video showing these places.