
Golden Nugget Atlantic City, NJ, Then & Now: Never Seen Photos
I have such sentimental memories of the original Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Last night, my wife Margie and I were driving to Resorts Casino Hotel for dinner with very special friends.
SIDE BAR: Our dinner at Dougherty’s Steakhouse was spectacular.
Whenever I pass by The Golden Nugget, I am compelled to snap photos.
I can hardly believe what it looks like now. It’s falling apart before our eyes.
I spent 10 years of my life there working for Steve Wynn and one year for Bally’s, when they purchased The Golden Nugget.
It was a great time of personal and professional growth. I learned so much, during very formative years, spending my Twenties there.
This is where I met Paul Steelman in 1980. Paul Steelman was a young protégé of the legendary Joel Bergman, who was a world class architect hired by Wynn to design The Golden Nugget Atlantic City.
The incredible, never before seen photos below were taken by Steelman, which we share here with Paul’s permission.
During the 1980’s, The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino was the most profitable casino in the history of the world.
Working at The Golden Nugget was magical.
The term “Special Event” was born at The Golfen Nugget Atlantic City and Wynn would spare no cost to put them on.
They were centered around Frank Sinatra, The Wizard of Oz, Vic Damone married Diahann Carroll, Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Marvin Hagler and so many others.
This is how I will always remember The Golden Nugget:
This is how The Golden Nugget looks today. It is literally falling apart before our eyes and it’s heartbreaking.
Paul Steelman provided us with truly iconic images of the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, taken at various stages during its construction from more than 40 years ago.
Immediately below this article, is a gallery of 30 photos provided to us by Steelman, with his permission granted to publish them in this exclusive coverage.
Many of these photos have never been seen before.
Please join us and take this special walk down Atlantic City memory lane and enjoy the photo gallery directly below.
An Exclusive Look Back at the Golden Nugget, Atlantic City from 1980
Gallery Credit: Harry Hurley
Atlantic City's Firsts Throughout History
Gallery Credit: Harry Hurley