Entry No. 27 — the Las Vegas file — filed under: haunted
Woodlawn Cemetery
Established in 1914 on 10 acres (now 40) and listed on the National Register since 2006, this working cemetery holds mob associate Frank Cullotta — the FBI informant whose testimony helped bring down the skimming operation later dramatized in 'Casino' — alongside legendary gambler Nick 'the Greek' Dandolos and a former Las Vegas mayor.
The story
In 1914, long before neon swallowed the desert, the railroad handed over a ten-acre patch of dirt north of town to give Las Vegas its first formal public burial ground. That original gift expanded over the decades into 40 acres, making Woodlawn Cemetery the oldest working burial ground in the valley and earning it a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
Walk the grounds and you are standing over an unedited index of old Vegas history. Frank Cullotta lies here—the mob associate and Hole in the Wall Gang enforcer whose turn as an FBI informant dismantled the casino skimming operation later dramatized in Scorsese's 'Casino'. A short walk away rests legendary high-stakes poker player Nick 'the Greek' Dandolos, buried in the same soil as early Las Vegas mayors and pioneers who arrived when water was rarer than a deck of cards.
Administered for the City of Las Vegas by Bunkers Mortuary, the cemetery sits as a quiet, green anomaly directly against the sun-baked asphalt of North Las Vegas Boulevard. It holds the physical remnants of every era this town cycled through—from dusty railroad outpost to mob sandbox.
What it's like
Stepping onto Woodlawn's grounds is a sudden shift from the heavy traffic of North Las Vegas Boulevard into a quiet stretch of green grass and mature trees. It remains an active public cemetery, so keep your visit respectful and discreet. If you want to find the mobsters, gamblers, and city founders without wandering aimlessly across 40 acres, aim for the Nevada Preservation Foundation's periodic 'Shadows of Woodlawn' guided walk, or arrive in the late afternoon as the desert heat eases—just be sure to check current gate hours before you head out.
The move: Book the Nevada Preservation Foundation's 'Shadows of Woodlawn' guided walk to hear the crime, murder, and pioneer stories tied to specific graves, then linger on your own through the 40-acre grounds as the light drops.
- 📍 North Las Vegas Blvd corridor, Las Vegas
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1500 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort — Blacksmithing Classes — Pair a morning walk through Las Vegas's oldest cemetery with a visit half a mile down the road to Nevada's oldest standing non-Native structure.
- The Neon Museum — Night Tours — Visit the quiet graves of early Las Vegas figures by day, then see the lit-up signs from their era down the boulevard at night.
- The Underground at the Mob Museum — After finding Frank Cullotta's grave at Woodlawn, head down into the basement speakeasy at the Mob Museum for a drink and the rest of the skimming story.
- Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum — Follow up the outdoor quiet of Woodlawn's historic graves with a walk through 30-plus rooms of dark oddities and macabre relics just down the road.
Good to know
Where is Woodlawn Cemetery located?
It is located at 1500 Las Vegas Blvd N, just north of downtown Las Vegas.
Who are some notable people buried at Woodlawn?
Notable interments include mob associate and FBI informant Frank Cullotta, high-stakes gambler Nick 'the Greek' Dandolos, and former Las Vegas mayors.
Is Woodlawn Cemetery open to the public?
Yes, it is a working, city-owned cemetery managed by Bunkers Mortuary, though visitors should confirm gate hours before visiting.
Are guided tours available?
The Nevada Preservation Foundation periodically hosts the 'Shadows of Woodlawn' guided walking tour, which covers crime, pioneer history, and mob stories connected to specific grave sites.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Wikipedia · nevadapreservation.org · coffeeteatravels.com · lasvegasnevada.gov · findagrave.com
last checked: 2026-07-20