A glittering oasis in the heart of the Nevada desert, Las Vegas is known primarily for its casinos, fine dining, entertainment, shopping, and nightlife. The dazzling neon signs that create a fascinating display after the sun goes down are always a treat for the eyes.
If you’re wondering how the Sin City evolved over the years, read on to learn about the colorful history of Las Vegas.
The Origins of Las Vegas
Las Vegas history can be traced back to around 12,000 years ago.
Paleo-Indian peoples, whose tools have been discovered at several sites in the valley, were the first inhabitants in the area.
Their descendants include the Paiute peoples, who, along with Ancestral Puebloans, settled soon after and migrated between seasonal camps in the mountains and the valley.
Las Vegas in the 19th Century
The first European known to have arrived in Las Vegas was Rafael Rivera, who scouted the area in 1829. He was part of a Spanish expedition to open up a trade route—the Old Spanish Trail—between New Mexico and California which was led by Santa Fe trader Antonio Armijo.
In the same year, the first Americans to see the valley were in a trapping party that included frontiersman Kit Carson. Carson returned 15 years later as a guide for the pioneering mission to the region led by John Charles Frémont.
Las Vegas was officially founded in 1905 by a group of developers seeking to build a railroad stop in the desert between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.
The Role of Water in Vegas’ Early Days
Despite its location in the basin of the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas valley was an oasis with a water source in the form of artesian springs.
It was because of this water source that railroad magnate and U.S. Senator William Clark decided to acquire 2,000 acres of land and water rights in 1902, to build a waypoint for the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad.
The railroad line through Nevada began construction in 1904. The following year, Clark auctioned off 600 parcels of his land, which was located east of the railroad tracks. It was during this year that Las Vegas was established as a town on May 15, 1905.
Around the same time, civil engineer John T. McWilliams was attempting to build a township west of the railroad tracks. He had only 80 acres of land.
This sparked short-lived competition, which ended on September 5, 1905, when a fire almost completely consumed McWilliams’ townsite.
Clark eventually founded the Las Vegas Land & Water Company and, with his partners, vowed to leave no stone unturned and foster the growth and development of Las Vegas.
The Birth of the Las Vegas Strip
The first casino opened in 1931 on what is now known as the Las Vegas Strip was The Pair-O-Dice Club, a nightclub that was famous for its gambling.
In 1941, El Rancho Vegas opened its doors at the north end of the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada.
The Strip was originally a two-lane highway lined with casinos and motels. However, as Las Vegas gained popularity as a destination for both gambling and entertainment, the Strip began to grow and evolve.
The Impact of the Hoover Dam
Built in the 1930s, the Hoover Dam is one of the most famous landmarks in Las Vegas, NV. It is located just outside of the city.
Construction of what was then called Boulder Dam started in 1931. Casinos and showgirl venues opened up on Fremont Street, the town’s sole paved road, to attract workers.
Hoover Dam was completed in 1936, and the creation of this dam led to low-cost hydroelectricity that made it possible for Las Vegas to become the City of Neon Lights.
It was the electricity provided by Hoover Dam that helped Las Vegas evolve from a sleepy frontier town into the tourist attraction that it is today.
The Golden Age of Las Vegas
During the 1930s, more and more hotels and casinos were being built in Las Vegas. It was during this time that the city began to establish itself as a destination for entertainment and gambling.
During World War II, Las Vegas served as a training ground for soldiers headed to the Pacific Theater. After the war, many of these soldiers decided to stay in the city and make it their home, leading to further growth in the city’s population.
The Mob’s Influence on Las Vegas
The history of Las Vegas is closely linked to the history of organized crime in the United States. Some of the most famous mobsters in the country, including Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky, were heavily involved in the development of the Sin City.
During the 1950s, the mob was instrumental in bringing celebrity acts to Vegas to entice more people to go to the casinos. Mobsters owned nightclubs in many major cities, so they had connections with performers like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jerry Lewis, Judy Garland, and Liberace.
Many of the early casinos on the Strip were financed by money from organized crime. However, as Las Vegas grew and evolved, its ties to organized crime diminished.
The Impact of Corporate Ownership
In the mid-1960s and ‘70s, the ownership of Las Vegas resorts began to change as the state of Nevada passed the Corporate Gaming Act. This made it easier for corporations to run casinos and paved the way for corporations to buy Las Vegas resorts.
In 1967, Howard Hughes, one of the richest and most influential people in the world during his time, bought the Desert Inn. This was followed by more investments, including the Frontier, the Sands, the Castaways, the Landmark, the Silver Slipper, North Las Vegas Airport, Alamo Airways, and thousands of acres of undeveloped land.
In one year alone, Hughes spent more than $65 million on Las Vegas properties. By the following year, Hughes had control of one-third of the revenue earned by all the casinos on the Strip.
Hughes was heralded as the man who helped save Las Vegas from the mobs and usher in an era dominated by corporate conglomerates. He played a key role in drawing businessmen to invest in the city. Within two years, hotel corporations arrived in Las Vegas.
The Era of Mega Casinos
Steve Wynn is the man who paved the way to the first megaresort to open on the Strip – The Mirage. Construction of this massive complex cost $630 million. It opened in 1989.
The Mirage led to other iconic megaresorts, including Wynn’s own Treasure Island, the MGM Grand, Luxor, Bellagio, and Venetian.
Unlike the hard gambling and raunchy entertainment of Las Vegas in its early years, these megaresorts offered an affordable, luxurious experience to middle class customers in a family-friendly setting.
Most of these casino resorts helped usher Las Vegas into the 21st century, and many of them still stand as the most notable buildings in Sin City today.
Conclusion
Now that you know more about Las Vegas’ past, visiting the Sin City would be much more meaningful.
If you have any questions about this amazing city, we’re just a phone call away. Feel free to give us a call today at +1 702-389-7369. You can also email us at info@vegashomesnv.com for inquiries or to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Las Vegas founded?
Las Vegas was officially founded in 1905 by a group of developers seeking to build a railroad stop in the desert between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.
Why is Las Vegas called “Sin City”?
Las Vegas is called “Sin City” because of the prevalence of illegal activities in the area in the early 1900s, including gambling and prostitution.
What was the first casino on the Las Vegas Strip?
The first casino on the Las Vegas Strip was The Pair-O-Dice Club, a nightclub that was famous for its gambling.
