Vintage Collection Hotel Casino Agua Caliente, Tijuana, México (1927)

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The luxurious Agua Caliente Casino and Resort made its debut in June 1928 in Tijuana, Baja California's vibrant city center. It was a magnificent resort that boasted a casino, spa, championship golf and tennis facilities, a private airstrip, and exciting entertainment options galore. Stylishly blending Mexican colonial, California mission, and neo-Islamic architectural elements, the resort showcased stunning mosaic minarets, cozy guest bungalows, and scintillating Turkish baths. Designed by 19-year-old visionary architect Wayne McAllister, it was built by a dynamic team of developers, including Baron H. Long, Wirt G. Bowman, James N. Crofton, and Abelardo L. Rodríguez, the charismatic Military Commander and Governor of Baja California who would later become Mexico's President. A mere two years after its grand opening, the Agua Caliente racetrack launched in December 1929, boasting a stunning $2.5 million price tag. As the neighboring U.S. state of California banned drinking, gambling, and horse racing, a slew of high-rollers and Hollywood stars flocked to Agua Caliente. Talented actress Rita Hayworth discovered her break performing in a show there, while filmmakers captured the glamour of this iconic resort in movies like In Caliente and The Champ. The crème de la crème of high-stakes gamblers could be found in the opulent Gold Room, where patrons wagered with lavish gold chips – reportedly with a minimum bet of $500. Even infamous mobster Bugsy Siegel took inspiration from Agua Caliente when constructing his own resort on what would eventually become Las Vegas's infamous Strip.