Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel was a celebrity gangster who is believed to be one of the founding fathers of Sin City, Las Vegas. The gangster had invested tremendous amount of time, money into designing and building the Flamingo Hotel, the first of its kind in Las Vegas. After much fanfare, the hotel and casino opened in December of 1946 and shut down soon after a month, only to reopen in March of 1947, this time able to make a profit. But Bugsy could not live long to see the success of his venture and was soon shot and killed in Beverly Hills by an unknown assailant. Recognizing his contributions, the hotel has forever memorialized him in a simple stone pillar, bearing a plaque with his details that stands behind the resort’s flamingo habitat and waterfalls.
