Great Wall Architecture

Trying to be helpful, I suggested that the architect who steals my covers might want to emulate these fine examples. It seems he's a little stubborn and not open to new ideas.

Amazingly, the Great Wall is still standing.  It looks much the same in the street view, but it was closed in 2010.  Here's a link to the street view and to a photo on Flickr with commentary on the restaurant.

I think it's fair to say that the Sands is in a separate category from the other two. I'm adding some extra information, inspired by Howard's question in the comments below.
The Sands was designed by Architect Wayne McAllister and built in 1952.  In its heyday, it was the place to be.  It was the place where Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.,  Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford first appeared on stage together.  At one point,  the Sands was owned by Howard Hughes.  By 1996, despite the addition of a large tower, it had lost its appeal and was imploded and demolished.  The Venetian was built in the same location after the Sands was demolished. It looks like this now. Makes the Sands look kind of quaint in comparison.

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Here are the backs of these cards, in case you want to go see them in person.

 

 

The Boulder Damned

Oh sure, this sounds like fun...reminds me of the Catacombs of Paris! Would you like to descend 528 feet below the roadway crest of Boulder Dam and be led into a dark, tiled corridor and then find yourself cornered by a menacing group of the UNDEAD? Be my guest. I'll look at the dam from above and save this for some future Halloween adventure when I really want to be creeped out.

Elko, Nevada

I had a special request from Grace for a postcard from Nevada, so here it is. This postcard, circa 1950, is from a lovely motel in Elko, Nevada. Elko is located between Salt Lake City, Utah and Reno on US 80.  It's the biggest city between Salt Lake and Reno! In 1950, the population of Elko was about 5,400.

Every year in January, Elko hosts the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Elko also hosts the National Basque Festival in July. If they serve those tasty Basque croquettes, I might have to go. Elko and Winnemucca are the places to go if you want to find Basque restaurants.