The collection dates from 1942 to 1986 and contains a scrapbook and other materials related to the Nevada Biltmore built by Robert Brooks in Las Vegas, Nevada. The scrapbook includes photographs of the resort and newspaper clippings. It also contains some materials from the Seven Seas restaurant owned by Brooks in Hollywood, California. The collection includes newspaper clippings related to Las Vegas gaming and politics, some photographs of Bob Brooks and his wife Jewel at social events in Las Vegas, and a Biltmore menu and stationary.
The collection dates from 1942 to 1986 and contains a scrapbook and other materials related to the Nevada Biltmore built by Robert Brooks in Las Vegas, Nevada. The scrapbook includes photographs of the resort and newspaper clippings. It also contains photographs depicting the construction of bungalows around the Biltmore. The scrapbooks contains some materials from the Seven Seas restaurant owned by Brooks in Hollywood, California as well as his other business interests. The collection includes newspaper clippings related to Las Vegas gaming and politics, some photographs of Bob Brooks and his wife Jewel at social events in Las Vegas, and a Biltmore menu and stationary. The collection offers valuable images and history of the opening of the Biltmore, one of the earliest resorts to open in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Collection is open for research.
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections and Archives website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Robert Lee "Bob" Brooks, who owned the Seven Seas popular Polynesian nightspot in Hollywood, California, built the Nevada Biltmore at the corner of Main Street and Bonanza Road in Las Vegas, Nevada. It opened on June 22, 1942 to much acclaim and attracted top names in entertainment. It consisted of a hotel, casino, and 32 detached bungalows. Brooks recreated his Seven Seas nightclub at the resort. He sold the Biltmore in 1944 and the property then changed hands several times. It reopened briefly as a resort for African Americans in 1949. After several tumultuous years, it reopened as the Shamrock Motel. By the early 1960s, it became the Shamrock Furniture Store. Bob Brooks continued to operate the Seven Seas Nightclub in Hollywood until 1964. He invested in land throughout the Las Vegas valley and owned the Royal Hotel on Convention Center and a Travelodge on the Strip. Bob Brooks passed away in 1995.
Nevada Biltmore Hotel Collection, 1942-1986. MS-00479. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Materials were donated in 2003 by Jewel Brooks via Thalia Dondero; accession number 2003-028.