Bonnie Springs Ranch

Bonnie Springs Ranch
Bonnie Springs, seen from the Spring Mountains in 2006
Location	16395 Bonnie Springs Road, Red Rock Canyon, Clark County, Nevada, United States
Coordinates	36°03′34″N 115°27′15″W / 36.059405°N 115.454048°W / 36.059405; -115.454048
Opened	1958
Closed	March 17, 2019
Attendance	130,000 (2007)
Area	63.86 acres (25.84 ha)
Website	bonniesprings.com

Bonnie Springs Ranch was an attraction near Blue Diamond, Nevada that included an 1880s Western town replica and a zoo. It is located on 63.86 acres (25.84 ha) in the Mojave Desert, below the Spring Mountains in the Red Rock Canyon area, 20 miles west of Las Vegas. The ranch has natural oasis habitat because of the spring water surfacing there.

The ranch was originally created in the 1840s, as a stopover for wagon trains heading to California. Bonnie McGaugh purchased the ranch in 1952, and it was subsequently named Bonnie Springs Ranch after her. Horseback riding and a restaurant were added by the mid-1960s. Old Nevada, the western town replica, was opened at the ranch in 1974, followed by the zoo and a motel in the 1980s. In January 2019, plans were announced to demolish the ranch and replace it with approximately 20 custom homes, a new restaurant and motel, and a barn to be used for events. Bonnie Springs closed on March 17, 2019. Its replacement, The Reserve at Red Rock Canyon, began construction three years later, after a delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early history

The site is located at approximately 4,000 feet elevation, and includes natural springs, which were within the Paiute peoples homeland for centuries. They moved their dwellings into small enclaves in the rocky cliffs to the west after settlers moved in.

The site was established in 1843 as a watering stopover for wagon trains going to California on the Old Spanish Trail. The site included a ranch house. In 1846, General John C. Frémont, on his way to Alta California, stopped at the springs to prepare for the trip through Death Valley to the Pueblo de Los Angeles. By 1860, the site consisted of a blacksmith shop and a cabin with one room.

Bonnie Springs Ranch was named after Bonnie Levinson (née McGaugh; July 30, 1921 – January 29, 2016), the daughter of western film actor and assistant director Wilbur McGaugh. In her youth, McGaugh performed as a Las Vegas dancer and showgirl. She also performed as an ice skater, eventually touring with figure skater Sonja Henie. In the 1940s, McGaugh and her mother began a turkey farm in Twentynine Palms, California. Bonnie McGaugh would deliver the live turkeys to restaurants and hotels in Las Vegas.

In 1952, Bonnie McGaugh delivered turkeys to a friend who owned a diner in Las Vegas and a ranch in the nearby Red Rock Canyon. The friend showed the ranch to Bonnie McGaugh, who liked the nearby mountain scenery. McGaugh leased and subsequently purchased the ranch that year. The 115-acre ranch – located 20 miles west of Las Vegas near Blue Diamond, Nevada – included a broken-down bar and a three-room house. McGaugh lived on the ranch from that point on, and Bonnie Springs Ranch would ultimately grow to occupy 63.86 acres (25.84 ha) of the ranch land. Initially, McGaugh re-opened the bar in 1952 and operated it for the next 12 years without electricity, instead relying on kerosene lamps. A dirt road provided the only access to the bar, which had previously operated as the Red Rock Tavern, opened in 1939.

Al Levinson (1924–1994) came to Las Vegas from New York in 1949; he and McGaugh met in 1952, after McGaugh re-opened the bar. According to McGaugh, they met "because someone told him he should meet the dizzy blond running the bar in the desert." The couple married in 1954, and they would stay married for 40 years until his death. Al Levinson operated a car dealership. The bar became popular among the Levinsons' friends, including Las Vegas showgirls and other celebrities who performed in shows on the Las Vegas Strip. The bar also received patronage from residents of nearby Blue Diamond. In the 1950s, Bonnie Levinson added two horses to the ranch to satisfy customer interest in horseback riding. A man subsequently traded two horses for a car at Al Levinson's dealership, and the couple later had a total of six horses. Bonnie Springs Picnic Ranch received a business license in 1958.

By 1962, the ranch included a swimming pool. A stable, Red Rock Riding Stables, was added to the ranch in 1963, followed by a restaurant in 1964. During the 1960s, Al Levinson planned to develop a housing community on 34 acres of vacant land located a half mile east of the ranch. The community was to include an airplane runway for homeowners, but the entire project was cancelled. By 1966, Bonnie Springs Recreation Ranch included picnic areas and playgrounds, as well as 28 horses for riding. Bonnie Springs became popular among Las Vegas families while remaining mostly unknown to city tourists. During the early 1970s, composer Don Swander played a piano at the ranch on weekends. In May 1974, a western town replica known as Old Nevada was added to the ranch. The following month, a fire at the ranch destroyed a barn, a trailer, and a corral.

Businessman Howard Hughes owned the adjacent Sandstone Ranch. Before his death in 1976, Hughes made an offer to purchase Bonnie Springs; his offer and others up to that point were rejected by Bonnie Levinson, who did not want to sell it. A zoo had been added to the ranch by 1985. During the mid-1980s, Al Levinson had a three-year disagreement with Clark County officials over who would pay for 1.3 miles of flood-damaged road leading to the ranch. After Levinson sued county officials to repair the road, the county declined to issue him a building permit for a motel addition to the ranch, due to undecided zoning issues. In August 1986, Levinson received a building permit for a 150-room motel, after a District Judge ordered the county to issue the permit. At the time, Al Levinson also planned to eventually add a golf course to the ranch, although it never materialized. A 50-room motel was added in 1989.

The Levinsons' children, Alan Levinson and April Hopper, took over the ranch's operations after the death of their father Al Levinson, who died in December 1994. A copper and fiberglass statue of the Levinson couple was added in the mid-1990s, after approximately 18 months in the making. As of 2004, the ranch averaged 8,000 visitors during holiday weeks such as spring break and Memorial Day. In mid-2005, Alan Levinson had plans to develop a 17-house neighborhood as part of Bonnie Springs, with each house located on two acres of land, in accordance with local zoning laws. The property was one of the few sites in the Red Rock area with zoning for housing, and the development would be a joint project between Levinson and developer Randy Black Jr. The project was to be built on 34 acres of vacant property located a half mile east of the ranch, where Al Levinson previously planned a housing community in the 1960s. There were no plans to close the ranch. The ranch-style housing project received little opposition, and was approved by the Red Rock Citizens Advisory Council and the Clark County Planning Commission. The Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club, environmental organizations, did not believe the project would have a large impact on the Red Rock Canyon area. However, it never began construction and the land remained vacant.

As of August 2005, the ranch had 86 employees, and approximately 32 of them lived there at the motel. At the time, the ranch averaged 1,000 to 1,500 visitors on Saturdays, and an average minimum of 2,000 visitors on Sundays. The clientele generally consisted of state residents and tourists. As of 2006, Bonnie Springs included the only restaurant and lodging in the Red Rock Canyon area. As of 2007, the ranch received an annual 130,000 visitors. Bonnie Levinson, at 94 years old, died in January 2016 following a brief illness. Alan Levinson and April Hopper continued to operate the ranch following her death.

Redevelopment plans

In early 2018, the ranch was put up for sale, at a cost of $31 million. Upon learning that the site was for sale, Joel Laub, a housing developer, contacted his friend, attorney J. Randall Jones; they partnered to purchase the 63-acre property, under the name BSR6276 LLC. After four months of negotiations, they beat out several other prospective buyers, including one developer who planned for a hotel and casino on the site. The partners announced redevelopment plans for the site in January 2019. New plans included the addition of approximately 20 custom homes, as well as new amenities similar to the current ranch, including a new restaurant and motel, and an "event barn" that would be used for weddings. The event barn would include 5,400 sq ft (500 m), while the new motel would include 25 rooms. The ranch's western town and zoo would need to be demolished to make room for the new development. In addition, Jones stated that he and Laub were not licensed to operate a zoo. Under the agreement, construction of the project would not begin until the ranch's animals were relocated, a task that would be handled by the Levinsons, who were supportive of the redevelopment plans. Hopper stated that the ranch was being sold because the family was ready to retire.

Laub headed the local Nature Conservancy group at the time, and stated that his goal was to develop the land "in a very conscientious way that takes into consideration the environment and conservation." Regarding Bonnie Springs, Laub said, "What's there now is not environmentally friendly." For the new project, Laub consulted with wildlife experts and arborists for a design that would include native plants and encourage movement of desert animals. Laub also planned to rehabilitate the property's natural springs as a water source for plants and animals. One of the springs had been dynamited years earlier. The project would include 8.5 to 10 acres of public space, while the remainder would be used for the housing project, with each home being built on two to three acres. The proposed houses would be designed and built to blend in with the natural environment of the Red Rock area. Jones said the houses would not be "giant McMansions with only 5 feet between them. We want it to feel like a rural area." Each house would have a maximum of 5,000 square-feet and would be allowed to occupy only 10 percent of each lot. Most of the existing trees and plants, including yuccas, would be retained, and the ranch's parking lot would be re-vegetated with plants. To drivers along Red Rock Canyon's loop road, the project's houses would be obscured by landscaping. Jones and Laub would be among residents in the new project. Zoning laws allowed for up to 31 houses to be built on the land. Jones stated that while additional homes and a larger motel could have been added to the redevelopment plans, they chose not to do so, to keep the area as similar to Bonnie Springs as possible. A water company, CSR Water Cooperative, ultimately had to be created to serve the needs of the future community. It includes a 375,000-gallon storage tank.

The sale was expected to be finalized in mid-March 2019, at which point demolition would begin on the ranch. The partners wanted to retain the Bonnie Springs name for the new project, although negotiations with the Levinson family had yet to be held regarding the transfer of naming rights. Visitation increased by hundreds of people in the days following the announcement of the redevelopment plans, which received backlash from the public, as expected by Laub and Jones. Two petitions were started to save the ranch and have it declared a historic landmark, although such a designation would not prevent the ranch from being sold or demolished. In addition, there were no government agencies that had the necessary funds to purchase the ranch. Within several days of the redevelopment announcement, the petitions had garnered more than 25,000 signatures, and had reached 51,000 signatures within two weeks. Jones acknowledged that "people are emotionally attached to Bonnie Springs," including himself and Laub, as well as their families. Jones further stated that the new project would be "different for sure. A transition, no question. Sometimes transitions make people sad. I understand that. Our hope is to make a transition that everybody feels good about in the end."

Later in January 2019, it was announced that a third party buyer was interested in fully relocating the ranch's western town to a new site to continue its operations as an attraction. The new owners also considered ways to incorporate the property's history and artifacts into the redevelopment project. It was later announced that a local woman, Sharon Linsebardt, wanted to relocate the western town's wedding chapel to her farm animal sanctuary in northwest Las Vegas, which also conducted weddings. The Levinsons agreed to donate the chapel to Linsebardt on the condition that she pay to have the 20-foot-wide building relocated.

In February 2019, the Clark County Planning Commission unanimously approved the redevelopment plans, including 22 homes and a bed and breakfast, despite some opposition. Opponents included Nevada's Center for Biological Diversity, which believed that the homes – referring to them as "McMansions" – would "fundamentally alter the character of Red Rock." The commission stated that the project would not set a precedent for more homebuilders to develop in the area. Planning commissioner Nelson Stone said the new project would allow for a restoration of the natural environment, and believed that noise in the area would "all but disappear". The Red Rock Citizens Advisory Council and Clark County staff also recommended approval of the project. At the time, nearly 54,000 people had signed one of the petitions to declare the ranch a historical landmark, although the commission stated that no part of the ranch had been deemed historic. An appeal against the new project was filed with the Clark County Commission, by a Las Vegas resident who cited unanswered questions about the new project's public facilities.

Bonnie Springs closed on March 17, 2019. The ranch endured long lines during its final two days, with wait times up to 40 minutes to enter. Kathy Espin, an opinion writer for Las Vegas Review-Journal, believed that Bonnie Springs' closure was not a significant loss for the community. Three days after the closure, the Clark County Commission upheld the new project's approval against the appeal, with Laub stating that the public facilities did not require county approval through a public hearing. The sale was finalized on April 2, 2019, at a cost of $25 million. By that time, the ranch's animals had been relocated to other zoos and habitats. A live auction of various Bonnie Springs memorabilia took place at the ranch's outdoor arena area later that month, followed by online auctions. The first phase of demolition, including the motel and restaurant, was approved by the county on June 17, 2019.

Twenty residential parcels went on sale in February 2020, when it was announced that the new project would be named The Ranch at Red Rock. Laub and Jones were unable to work out a deal with the Levinsons to acquire the rights to use the "Bonnie Springs" name. The residential lots ranged from 2 to 4 acres each, with prices from $3 million to $6.5 million. The homes would be accessed through a guard-gated community entrance. The future owners of each lot would be responsible for building their own homes. Design and construction guidelines were created to limit the size of the homes and to ensure that they blend in with the surrounding environment. Seven of the parcels were reserved within the first week. At the time, many of the buildings at Bonnie Springs had been demolished, with the exception of the Old Nevada buildings. Laub said he was giving away wood and other materials from the buildings to anyone who was interested "before we just demo it and send it to the dump."

The project was put on hold in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nevada. During this time, the project was redesigned, and the number of home lots was reduced to 16, allowing for more public space, totaling nearly 14 acres. The project will incorporate a biophilic design, and houses are now limited to 7,500 sq ft (700 m). New amenities include a boutique hotel and spa, as well as an amphitheater. Groundbreaking for the project, now known as The Reserve at Red Rock Canyon, took place on March 15, 2022. The remaining structures at Bonnie Springs had been demolished by that point. The 15,000 sq ft (1,400 m) event hall is the first phase of the project's commercial element, and will not be completed until at least 2024. The next phase would include the restaurant, followed by a third phase consisting of the hotel and pool.

Features

The two-story Bonnie Springs motel included a swimming pool and themed rooms such as Chinese, Spanish, and American Indian. The motel had 48 rooms, some of which include a jacuzzi. The ranch also included the Red Rock Riding Stables, with pony and horseback riding. The ranch's outdoor arena included bleacher seating used for events such as rodeos. On weekends, a miniature train provided optional transportation from a large parking lot to the ranch's motel and the Old Nevada western town. A smaller parking lot was located near the entrance to Old Nevada. In February 2018, after a year of negotiations, the ranch was expected to begin offering helicopter tours of Red Rock Canyon.

Bar and restaurant

Restaurant and pond

Restaurant interior

Prior to the opening of a restaurant on the property, Bonnie Levinson had served biscuits and coffee as a snack to friends who came to visit the ranch. She subsequently began cooking meals for her various ranch hands, and she later said, "Word soon got around that you could get a good cup of coffee here, and people started dropping by for meals," which convinced the Levinsons to add a restaurant to the ranch. The Levinsons expanded and refurbished the 1840s ranch house into a restaurant and bar, initially opened as the Bonnie Springs Steak House in 1964. Bonnie Levinson created the restaurant's furniture and helped build the structure's large central fireplace.

A pond was ultimately built in front of the restaurant/bar. The pond once contained fish, which were allowed to be caught with the use of fishing equipment that the ranch rented out. The restaurant offered to then cook the caught fish for customers. By 1980, the pond was inhabited by ducks, geese, and turtles.

The bar/restaurant became known for a collection of neckties that hang from the ceiling, with dollar bills pinned to them. Al Levinson had decided on a policy against ties in the restaurant after he had been turned away from a restaurant at the Desert Inn casino for wearing a bolo tie. From that point on, he would take each tie that came into his restaurant and pinned it to the ceiling, a tradition dating to at least 1974. People later started pinning money to the ties.

In 2001, the money from the ceiling — a total of $18,744 — was donated to local firefighters. The money had been accumulating since 1991, and the Levinson family had been motivated to donate it following the September 11 attacks. The ties of the bar's ceiling continued to accumulate money bills, which were donated to various nonprofit organizations. The restaurant included a half-pound bison burger.

Old Nevada

Buildings at Old Nevada

Old Nevada's saloon

By 1969, the Levinsons planned to construct a western village at the ranch. In 1972, construction began on Old Nevada, the name given to a series of buildings replicating an 1880s mining town, with an opening planned for early summer 1973. Al Levinson had wanted to construct Old Nevada for years.

Research was done to ensure the buildings' accuracy with old western structures. The buildings are made of old wood, which was sought by Al Levinson to replicate old mine town buildings. The Old Nevada buildings were built based on building plans for early western communities. The Levinsons traveled to various small towns in Nevada to obtain information about the local buildings, as research for Old Nevada. The design of Old Nevada's Methodist wedding chapel is based on a chapel located in Belmont, Nevada.

Al Levinson had acquired thousands of historic drawings and pictures of old buildings on which to base the design of Old Nevada. He also had research help from state agencies. Nevada mining camp ruins were also a model for Old Nevada. Despite the buildings' historic appearance, they were designed according to modern building codes and included air-conditioning. However, plumbing was only included in restaurants and bathrooms, while the front of other buildings included an outdoor water pump for historical accuracy. Antique telephones were repaired and connected to a switchboard as the only form of communication in Old Nevada. Sidewalks were made of wormwood planking that Al Levinson had imported from Oregon.

Built at a cost of $800,000, the Old Nevada western town opened on May 1, 1974 with 45 buildings, located on 5 acres (2.0 ha) of the ranch land. A restored 1881 horse-drawn carriage provided transportation around the town. At the time, Old Nevada included the Miner's Restaurant, a casino, and a miniature steam train, as well as a shootout show between a law official and a gunman, followed by a hanging.

Old Nevada also had shops which sold artifacts and antiques that had been collected by Al Levinson, while a western-style saloon included a 900-person capacity for group events such as parties. To increase visitor attendance to the ranch, the saloon began featuring a vaudeville dinner show titled Bonnie's Old West Musical Revue, which ran on weekends from May to August 2012. Later that year, the show moved to the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas, where it was performed under the title Grand Ole Vegas Revue. The saloon later featured karaoke and live music on two separate days a week. As of 2013, Old Nevada included the wedding chapel, the saloon, and a small schoolhouse. Staged gun fights and souvenir shops remained a part of Old Nevada as well. Old Nevada also had two museums, featuring local artifacts and 1800s-era wax figures.

Zoo

In 1975, Bonnie Levinson took in two pygmy goats from Wayne Newton. In addition, someone had dropped off a sheep at the ranch; this was accompanied by the arrival of two deer and Levinson's adoption of a wolf. Levinson, an animal lover, also had cats, dogs, chickens and rabbits, many of which were left at the ranch by uninterested pet owners. The multitude of animals inspired Levinson to build a petting zoo at the ranch for children. The petting zoo had opened by 1985. The zoo was added to increase family visitation to the ranch.

By 1997, the zoo included bobcats, burros, coatimundi and lynx, coyotes, ferrets, hedgehogs, llamas, porcupines, prairie dogs, squirrels, turtles, and a woodchuck. Emus would also be added to the zoo, including one that had been abandoned in the desert. Peacocks and deer freely roamed the fenced zoo area. The ranch also featured a large stable of horses. Levinson raised several of the animals. Most of the zoo was occupied by rescued animals who had been mistreated. The petting zoo included goats, deer, sheep, and buffalo. Some of the animals could naturally withstand the local heat, while others had covered enclosures with misters and bodies of water. To stay cool, the animals were also regularly given ice packs.

As of 2012, the zoo had been entirely renovated with new enclosures. As of 2015, the zoo had four full-time zookeepers, one part-time zookeeper, and several volunteers. As of 2017, the zoo had more than 20 animal species, including more than 70 peacocks. Some of the zoo's animals would be kept by the Levinson family following the ranch's closure, while others would be relocated to zoos in Nevada and California.

Paranormal

The ranch has been speculated to be haunted, as claimed by some visitors to the ranch. Tim Harrison, the ranch's marketing director and events manager, said in 2016, "We were the hub of wagon trains that came through and people camped here and a lot of people died on the way. We believe those spirits still exist and are concentrated in our opera house – that's where they gather and most of the energy is felt." He later said in 2017, "There's a little girl by the school house, several apparitions at the opera house. You hear all kinds of stuff."

Each October, from 2008 to 2018, the ranch was temporarily named "Bonnie Screams" in celebration of Halloween, with various haunted house attractions. In 2015, Bonnie Screams began offering a zombie-themed paintball game, Zombie Paintball Express, in which patrons rode a bus while attempting to fend off zombies with paintballs. As of 2015, a local paranormal society also offered a three-hour tour of the ranch's haunted areas during the last Saturday night of most months. The tours included efforts to make contact with the ranch's ghosts. Additional tours were offered during Bonnie Screams. The tours frequently included celebrities such as Susan Slaughter, from Ghost Hunters International.

In popular culture

A music video for singer Lee Hye-young was shot at Bonnie Springs in 2000.

The motel was briefly featured in the 2005 film Domino. Director Tony Scott had long wanted to include the ranch in one of his films, and also stayed at the ranch's motel.

Bonnie Springs is featured as an abandoned town in the 2010 video game Fallout: New Vegas.

The ranch was featured as a lockdown location in a 2011 episode of Ghost Adventures. The series detected footsteps and sounds, as well as the presence of ghosts in empty rooms. The ranch was subsequently featured in a 2015 episode of Ghost Adventures: Aftershocks.

The ranch is also featured in "The Good, the Bad, and the Punished", a 2016 episode of Impractical Jokers.

In 2017, the ranch was used as a filming location for the Asian television series Farewell, Las Vegas.

Bonnie Springs Ranch was featured as one of the haunted locations in the Paranormal TV series, Most Terrifying Places in America in an episode titled "Devil's Playground" which aired on the Travel Channel in 2018.

References

^ Tell, Jack (September 2, 1966). "Meet Mr. Recreation". Las Vegas Israelite. pp. 1, 9. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
^ Bartlett Pesek, Margo (November 28, 2010). "Bonnie Springs Ranch a nearby taste of Old West". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on January 1, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
"Las Vegas is hub of glamour, glitz, scenery, fun". Sioux City Journal. January 10, 1988. Retrieved January 10, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Bonnie Springs: About Us". BonnieSprings.com. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
^ Martin, Betty (May 29, 1988). "A Safe Bet for Scenery, History in Nevada". Los Angeles Times. pp. 1–2. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
^ Burke, Julia (spring 2012)."Movies to the Mojave". The Rock. pp. 8–9. Archived from the original on October 13, 2014.
^ Hogan, Jan (December 18, 2015). "Red Rock Canyon reeling in tourists after 25 years". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
^ Green, Marian (February 7, 2016). "Bonnie Springs Ranch namesake dies at age 94". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
^ Schumacher, Geoff (July 20, 2008). "Frustrations aside, Las Vegas ain't all bad". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
^ Levitan, Corey (May 14, 2007). "Old Yella: City Slicker". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
"Our Story". Bonnie Springs Ranch. Archived from the original on October 21, 2001. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
^ Rosch, Denise (February 8, 2016). "Bonnie Springs Ranch founder, Bonnie Levinson, dead at 94". KSNV. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
^ White, Ken (September 5, 1997). "Preserving History: Local sites recall Nevada's bygone days". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 8, 2018 – via NewsLibrary.
^ Lundeberg, Cyndi (January 9, 2019). "Bonnie Springs Ranch set to be demolished in March". KVVU. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
"Property record". Clark County Assessor's Office. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
^ "Bonnie Springs Goes Back Further Than the Old West (page 2)". Los Angeles Times. February 3, 1974. Retrieved September 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Plaskon, Ky (September 24, 2004). "Bonnie Springs". Nevada Public Radio. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
"Bonnie Springs". Nevada Magazine. 1981. p. 27. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
"Al Levinson obituary". Tributes.com. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
^ "Bonnie Springs Goes Back Further Than the Old West (page 1)". Los Angeles Times. February 3, 1974. Retrieved September 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Nadler, Danielle (April 7, 2009). "Bonnie Springs keeps Old West alive". View News. Archived from the original on 2009-04-11. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
^ "News". San Bernardino County Sun. March 13, 1969. Retrieved September 7, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
"Amusement Park Master License". ClarkCountyNV.gov. July 2, 1958. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
"Bonnie Springs Ranch-Green Oasis For You...". Las Vegas Sun. July 22, 1962. Retrieved September 7, 2018 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
^ "Successful entrepreneurs share their secrets for running healthy, resilient businesses". VegasInc.com. December 9, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
"Business License Detail Information". Clark County. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
^ "Local Pair Opens New Steak House". Las Vegas Sun. June 28, 1964. Retrieved September 7, 2018 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
^ Packer, Adrienne (July 21, 2005). "Project's 2-acre lots to turn back clock". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 23, 2005. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
"Candidates Corner". Las Vegas Sun. September 1, 1966. Retrieved September 7, 2018 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
Shemeligian, Bob (August 1, 1996). "'Deep in Heart of Texas' composer dies at 91". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
^ "Old Nevada Lives at Bonnie Springs". Las Vegas Israelite. May 10, 1974. p. 6. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
"'Old Nevada' escapes fire". Reno Evening Gazette. Associated Press. June 26, 1974. Retrieved September 7, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Pepper, Choral (March 31, 1974). "A Grand Experience". Independent Press-Telegram. Retrieved September 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Ulmer, Jeff; Gower, Susan (1985). Lions and tigers and bears. Garland Publishing. p. 101. ISBN 9780824087708. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
"Las Vegas". Reno Gazette-Journal. August 18, 1986. Retrieved September 7, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Hawley, Tom (February 20, 2019). "Building up Bonnie Springs". KSNV. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
Billings, Patrick (July 26, 2022). "Pahrump sculptor's work included piece at Bonnie Springs". Pahrump Valley Times. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
Packer, Adrienne (July 22, 2005). "Bonnie Springs ranch homes OK'd; Project is one of only two major developments that can be built in Red Rock area". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 6, 2005. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
Kiraly, Andrew (July 28, 2005). "Homes au natural". Las Vegas CityLife. Retrieved January 10, 2019 – via NewsLibrary.
Schumacher, Geoff (August 21, 2005). "Preserving Red Rock: How to keep developers out". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on November 23, 2005. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
Packer, Adrienne (September 20, 2005). "Groups stay on sidelines: Development featuring 17 homes will have no big effect on area, activists say". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on November 30, 2005. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
"Property record". Clark County Assessor's Office. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
^ Bayer-Polak, Erika (August 26, 2005). "Drawing on the Old West, Business replicates 19th century mining town". Summerlin View. Retrieved January 10, 2019 – via NewsLibrary.
Bartlett Pesek, Margo (May 7, 2006). "Trip of the Week: Bonnie Springs Ranch offers fun for all ages". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on May 18, 2006. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
"Bonnie Mae Levinson obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
^ Ventura, Leslie (February 10, 2016). "Bonnie Springs Ranch is mourning its founder, but her warm, feisty spirit remains". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
^ Reed, C. Moon (January 10, 2019). "Planned housing at Bonnie Springs won't kill site's charm, developer insists". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
^ Segall, Eli (January 9, 2019). "Bonnie Springs Ranch near Las Vegas being sold to developer". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
^ Rothberg, Daniel (February 26, 2019). "Proposal for homes at Bonnie Springs sparks debate over inholdings at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
^ Jaramillo, Sally (January 9, 2019). "Developer plans to build homes at Bonnie Springs". KLAS-TV. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
^ Johnson, Shea (February 20, 2019). "Bonnie Springs Ranch home-building plan advances amid criticism". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
^ Michor, Max (January 16, 2019). "Bonnie Springs supporters sign petition urging landmark status". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
"Developers plan to replace replica 'Old Nevada' mining town". New Haven Register. Associated Press. January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
^ Stone, Susan (January 18, 2019). "Vegas Villas: New plans announced for Bonnie Springs Ranch". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
^ Brean, Henry (March 20, 2019). "Clark County upholds Bonnie Springs housing development". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
^ Reed, C. Moon (January 21, 2019). "Residents try to save Bonnie Springs Ranch from development. But how?". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
^ Segall, Eli (February 11, 2020). "Bonnie Springs has new name, home sites selling for millions". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
^ Laux, Kimber (January 12, 2019). "Bonnie Springs Ranch attracts hundreds after news of looming sale". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
^ Bohner, Tiana (January 13, 2019). "Locals flock to Bonnie Springs ahead of closing". KVVU. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
^ Forest, Ashley (January 16, 2019). "Over 30,000 sign Care 2 petition to save Bonnie Springs Ranch". KSNV. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
Drummond, Cristen (April 5, 2019). "Owner of Las Vegas Farm and Barn Buddies Rescue wants to save Bonnie Springs Ranch chapel". KLAS-TV. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
Loftis, Sasha (February 20, 2019). "Developers expected to pitch plans for Bonnie Springs at Clark County Planning Commission". KLAS-TV. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
Totten, Kristy (March 1, 2019). "Bonnie Springs Demolition Not A Done Deal". Nevada Public Radio. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
Jones, Jay (February 19, 2019). "Last call for Las Vegas' Wild West frontier town". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
Newberg, Katelyn (March 13, 2019). "Bonnie Springs Ranch near Las Vegas to permanently close Sunday". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
^ Newberg, Katelyn (March 17, 2019). "Families lament closing of Bonnie Springs near Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
Richards, Rochelle (March 17, 2019). "Long lines at Bonnie Springs near Las Vegas before closure". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
Manna, Orko (March 18, 2019). "End of an Era: Locals visit Bonnie Springs for the last time". KLAS-TV. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
Espin, Kathy (March 24, 2019). "Commentary: Don't shed tears over Bonnie Springs closure". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
Segall, Eli (April 3, 2019). "Bonnie Springs Ranch near Las Vegas sells for $25M". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
Michor, Max (April 23, 2019). "Bonnie Springs ranch items up for auction". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
Abdelsayed, Amy; Gartner, Jordan (April 28, 2019). "Bonnie Springs items available at live and online auction". KTNV. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
"Bonnie Springs closes auction". KVVU. April 27, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
"Commercial Demolition Permit" (PDF). Clark County Department of Building and Fire Prevention. June 17, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 19, 2019.
"Building Permit Application" (PDF). Clark County Department of Building and Fire Prevention. June 17, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 30, 2019.
Ramalho, Gerard (February 11, 2020). "Bonnie Springs lots up for sale, change name to Ranch at Red Rock". KSNV. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
^ Segall, Eli (March 15, 2022). "Luxury housing project taking shape at former Bonnie Springs Ranch". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
^ "Ground breaks on construction of new project at old Bonnie Springs Ranch site". KSNV. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
^ Wargo, Buck (March 29, 2022). "Reserve at Red Rock Canyon to feature Blue Heron designs". Las Vegas Business Press. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
Rodriguez, Ana (March 15, 2022). "New luxury residential community breaks ground at former Bonnie Springs Ranch". KLAS. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
^ Peterson, Kristen (August 11, 2016). "Ranch retreat: Frontier days carry on at Bonnie Springs". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
"Event Arena at Bonnie Springs Ranch". Bonnie Springs Ranch. June 7, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
Jaramillo, Sally (February 19, 2018). "Bonnie Springs Ranch to offer helicopter tours at Red Rock Canyon". KLAS-TV. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
^ "Ways to take the gamble out of Las Vegas". The Boston Globe. July 12, 1987. Retrieved January 10, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
"5th Annual Bar Hall of Fame". Vegas Seven. June 23, 2016. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016.
^ Bartlett Pesek, Margo (April 13, 2014). "Bonnie Springs remains popular draw". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
"Old West replica". Los Angeles Times. July 20, 1980. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
^ "Decorations to Donations". Las Vegas Review-Journal. October 25, 2001. Archived from the original on 2003-01-22. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
^ "$100,000 donation sent to Red Cross comes back to LV". Las Vegas Sun. October 31, 2001. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
"Old West is new again at Bonnie Springs Ranch". Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 30, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2019 – via NewsLibrary.
^ "Old Nevada to live again". Honolulu Advertiser. May 6, 1973. Retrieved September 7, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Old Nevada Rides Again". San Francisco Examiner. February 18, 1973. Retrieved September 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Gun Shots and Justice: Old West Lives Again in Bonnie Springs". Nevada State Journal. November 16, 1975. Retrieved September 7, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
"Nevada Opens Tourist Spot". Arizona Daily Star. June 16, 1974. Retrieved September 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
"Past Relives In Old Nevada". Oakland Tribune. Associated Press. June 30, 1974. Retrieved September 7, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
"Saloon at Old Town". Bonnie Springs Ranch. May 24, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
Listerview, Nolan (July 23, 2012). "Vaudeville show offers Strip talent in Red Rock locale". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
Del Valle, Anthony (July 10, 2012). "'Old West Musical Revue' surprisingly well-performed". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
"Bonnie's Old West Musical Revue". Nevada Public Radio. July 11, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
"Bonnie's Old West Musical Revue to Open at Bonnie Springs Ranch May 26". VegasNews.com. May 23, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
"Business Briefs". Post Independent. Glenwood Springs, Colorado. April 30, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
Weatherford, Mike (June 14, 2012). "Pavilion or tent? It's all good for Jabbawockeez". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
"In Brief: Music and theater". Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 22, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
Weatherford, Mike (November 11, 2012). "Goodbye chandelier, hello sweet yesteryear". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
Frankenberg, Angelyn (August 29, 2014). "'Gorst, Goss and the Dancer'". Post Independent. Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
^ Clark, Dave (May 1, 2017). "Drunk history". Nevada Public Radio. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
Wigglesworth, Zack (March 10, 1985). "Before Your Eyes Turn to Neon, Take a Chance on 'The Other Vegas'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
"Las Vegas: Breakfast can be a big bargain". Star Tribune. August 4, 1985. Retrieved September 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
"Sights Around Las Vegas". The Odessa American. March 2, 1986. Retrieved September 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
"Bonnie Springs Ranch/Old Nevada in Las Vegas | Frommer's".
"Happenings at the zoo". The Boston Globe. April 4, 1987. Retrieved January 10, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Messerly, Megan (August 3, 2015). "The lion sleeps tonight in Southern Nevada — and so do many other exotic animals". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
^ Meurer, Ginger (October 30, 2015). "Bonnie Springs Ranch sets spooky scene after dark in Red Rock Canyon". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
^ Przybys, John (October 20, 2015). "13 haunted places in Nevada you need to visit". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
^ Wargo, Buck (October 28, 2016). "Ghosts can be good for business in Southern Nevada". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
Hogan, Jan (October 30, 2015). "History makes west valley fertile ground for haunted stories". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
"Bonnie Screams". Las Vegas CityLife. October 6, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2019 – via NewsLibrary.
"Bonnie Springs Become Bonnie Screams for Halloween". KLAS-TV. October 7, 2013. Archived from the original on October 19, 2014.
^ Todd, Camalot (October 19, 2018). "Halloween haunts for the family in Southern Nevada". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
Meurer, Ginger (October 8, 2015). "Southwest Halloween happenings range from sweet to spooky". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
"Zombie Paintball Express". Las Vegas Sun. January 27, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
Leach, Robin (October 31, 2017). "The madness of Halloween: Things that can't happen but did". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
Cling, Carol (7 August 2000). "'Rat Race' rolls into Las Vegas for a week". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 29 March 2001.
"Domino Production Notes: About The Locations" Archived 2014-10-18 at the Wayback Machine. CinemaReview.com. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
Clarke, Norm (August 22, 2012). "Prince Harry photo suggests scandal". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
Ramadge, Andrew (May 16, 2011). "Virtual Las Vegas - the ultimate Fallout fan road trip". news.com.au. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
"Best Pretend Cowboy". Vegas Seven. July 25, 2013. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015.
"Ghost Adventures: Bonnie Springs Ranch Episode Summary - TV.com". Archived from the original on 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
"Best bets". Tulsa World. April 12, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
"Hollywood comes to Bonnie Springs". Facebook. June 3, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
Kelemen, Matt (May 12, 2017). "Q&A: James Murray of 'Impractical Jokers'". Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
"Farewell, Las Vegas Filmed at Bonnie Springs Ranch". Bonnie Springs. June 6, 2017. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
"Devil's Playground".

External links

v t e Zoos of Nevada
Zoos	Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
Aquariums	SeaQuest Las Vegas Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat Shark Reef Aquarium Silverton aquarium
Former zoos	Bonnie Springs Ranch Sierra Safari Zoo Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park Roos-n-More Zoo

Categories:

Early history