As they re-develop Fremont eastward up to the Western’s parking lot, some of the “class” may fade east towards the Western but by speaking to the locals, you'd learn that place was rough from day one.

Back in the early 70’s, when the trade of the soiled doves was mostly legal in Clark County, there were unofficial joy houses in that area. These are the low budget “hotels” you still see lining Fremont and the adjoining streets today, not the formal place you see in movies or on HBO. Although unlicensed, these places stayed open through an “understanding” with the beat cops who benefited greatly from the commerce and were sure to keep things nice and quiet to insure the cash flow to all concerned, so there was little trouble.    

After such activities became illegal in Clark County, these places closed or went undercover and the soiled doves shifted more to the casinos and bars and, worst case, the street. Then the hard drugs came in and things got real bad. Drugs caused the area to become like a war zone, and the Ambassador was the worst. The deal at the Ambassador was that everyone worked for the street gangs, sometimes just for drugs and maybe food. Customers had a good chance of getting robbed by resident gang bangers.

Now with the closing of the Ambassador a few years ago and the hard drugs are moving out, things are really beginning to improve in that area. Cops patrol a lot. Security in and around the El Cortez is tight and newer businesses like the Beauty Bar, Griffin and similar trendy places will not tolerate those illicit activities, so the area is beginning to finally return to quasi-respectability.

Perhaps if the El Cortez joins the organization that runs the FSE, the bike security officers will move down there as well. Only time will tell.