Pop's Oasis
Historical Archive. Jean Nevada
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Pop's Oasis was more than just a casino; it was a landmark in the small town of Jean, Nevada, serving travelers along the busy Highway 91 (now I-15). Established in 1947 by Peter A. "Pop" Simon, Pop's Oasis began as a modest motel, store, gas station, and casino complex. It quickly became a favorite stop for those journeying between Las Vegas and California.
The casino officially opened its doors in 1972, marking Jean’s first foray into the gaming industry. For years, Pop's Oasis was a bustling hub, providing much-needed services and entertainment to travelers. However, its success was eventually overshadowed by the opening of newer, larger casinos like the Gold Strike Hotel and Gambling Hall in 1987. This shift led to the closure of Pop's Oasis in 1988, with the building later demolished.
Interestingly, the location where Pop's Oasis once stood is now home to the Jean Substation, a police station operated by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The police station is situated at 1337 S. Las Vegas Boulevard, near the intersection of NV-161 and South Las Vegas Boulevard, marking the site where Pop's Oasis served as a vital stopover for over four decades.
In a unique twist of fate, chips and tokens from Pop's Oasis were poured into the foundation of the Nevada Landing Hotel Casino, which was built shortly after. Though Nevada Landing itself closed in 2007 and was leveled the following year, the legacy of Pop's Oasis lives on through these remnants, forever part of Jean’s history.
Today, Pop's Oasis is remembered as a pioneer of Jean’s development, symbolizing the town’s early days as a key stopover on the route to Las Vegas.
Whats the future of Jean? 2.6M square feet of warehouse and manufacturing facilities. It's called South Vegas Industrial Center. The hotels are long gone. What remains there now is Terribles Roadhouse. It's across the street from where Nevada landing was. It contains the worlds largest Chevron station. It has 96 pumps, 60 restroom stalls, and a 50,000 sq ft (4,600 m2) convenience store. There is a starbucks near where Nevada landings Shell gas station once stood.And a Terrible Herbst Truck Plaza gas station and convenience store across the street from Goldstrike.
