History of Las Vegas

Las Vegas, often known simply as Vegas, is the largest city within the greater Mojave Desert and the most populated city in the state of Nevada. Despite its relatively recent establishment in 1905, Las Vegas boasts a rich and varied history. Initially, it served as a stopping point for westward-bound pioneers, and later became a key city for the Union Pacific Railroad. The legalization of gambling in 1931 transformed Las Vegas into a prime destination for entertainment and gaming. The city saw further expansion during the post-World War II boom, and by the end of the 20th century, it had established itself as a major resort city known globally for its vibrant nightlife, casinos, and as a top destination for conventions. The city’s history also includes a unique connection with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission; during the 1950s, the city capitalized on the spectacle of nuclear tests that were visible from Las Vegas, further enhancing its reputation as a tourist destination. Today, Las Vegas continues to evolve, balancing its famous entertainment industry with efforts towards economic diversification and sustainable growth.

History of Las Vegas: 1980 to 1998

During the 1980s and 1990s, Las Vegas experienced significant growth and transformation, further establishing its reputation as a global entertainment capital.

1980s Expansion: The 1980s saw the construction of several major casino resorts, including the opening of the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino (now Bally’s Las Vegas) in 1980, which was the largest hotel in the world at the time.

The Mirage: In 1989, the opening of The Mirage, developed by Steve Wynn, marked the start of a new era in Las Vegas as the city began to focus more on luxury resort experiences.

1990s Megaresorts: Throughout the 1990s, many “megaresorts” were built, including the Excalibur (1990), Treasure Island (1993), the MGM Grand (1993), and the Bellagio (1998), transforming the cityscape with their grand scale and themed designs.

Fremont Street Experience: In an effort to draw tourists back to the downtown area, the Fremont Street Experience, a pedestrian mall with a massive overhead light show, opened in 1995.

History of Las Vegas: 1999 to 2020

The period from 1999 to 2020 saw Las Vegas continue to grow and diversify, despite facing significant challenges.

Continued Construction: The new millennium saw the opening of numerous additional luxury hotel-casinos, including The Venetian (1999), The Palms (2001), Wynn Las Vegas (2005), and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (2010).

Economic Crisis: The Great Recession of 2008 hit Las Vegas hard, causing a significant downturn in tourism and a halt to many construction projects. However, the city gradually recovered over the following decade.

The “Entertainment Capital”: During this period, Las Vegas further solidified its reputation as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” attracting numerous high-profile musical residencies, including those by Celine Dion, Elton John, and Britney Spears.

The Arrival of Professional Sports: In 2016, the NHL approved the creation of the Vegas Golden Knights, marking the city’s first major professional sports team. This was followed by the relocation of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders (now the Las Vegas Raiders) to the city in 2020.

October 1, 2017 Shooting: This period also saw tragedy, with a mass shooting on October 1, 2017, that claimed 60 lives and injured hundreds. The city banded together in the aftermath, showing resilience and community spirit.

This period of Las Vegas history was marked by growth and diversification, but also by resilience in the face of economic and social challenges.

History of Las Vegas: 1930 to 1959

This period in Las Vegas history saw unprecedented growth and transformation, driven largely by the legalization of gambling and the city’s unique entertainment offerings.

 Legalization of Gambling (1931): Gambling was legalized in Nevada in 1931, a move that set the stage for Las Vegas’s development into a world-renowned resort city.

Boulder Dam (1931-1936): The construction of the Boulder Dam (later renamed the Hoover Dam) brought an influx of workers to the area, stimulating economic growth during the Great Depression.

 World War II (1941-1945): Las Vegas experienced another economic boost during World War II, when the U.S. military established a gunnery school for the Army Air Corps and a magnesium production site in the area.

Post-War Boom (1940s-1950s): Following the war, Las Vegas began to gain a reputation as an entertainment capital. Luxury hotels and casinos such as the Flamingo (1946) and the Sands (1952) were built, bringing in top-notch entertainers, like the Rat Pack, Elvis Presley, and Marilyn Monroe.

Atomic Age (1950s): During the 1950s, the city capitalized on the spectacle of nuclear tests conducted at the nearby Nevada Test Site, marketing the atomic explosions as a tourist attraction.

History of Las Vegas: 1960 to 1979

The years between 1960 and 1979 saw Las Vegas further grow and evolve, with significant developments in its entertainment industry and urban landscape.

The Rat Pack Era (1960s): The early 1960s, often referred to as the Rat Pack era, saw entertainers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. regularly perform in Las Vegas, further enhancing the city’s reputation as an entertainment hotspot.

 The Corporate Era (late 1960s-1970s): The late 1960s and 1970s marked the beginning of the corporate era in Las Vegas, with corporations buying up and constructing larger, more elaborate resorts. Notable developments during this period include Caesars Palace (1966) and the MGM Grand (1973).

 Urban Development: During this period, the city also continued to expand beyond the downtown area, with the development of residential neighborhoods and commercial districts.

This period solidified Las Vegas’s reputation as a city of entertainment and growth, setting the stage for the massive expansions and evolutions that would come in the following decades.

History of Las Vegas: 1850 to 1899

The period from 1850 to 1899 was a time of exploration, pioneering, and settlement in the Las Vegas area.

Exploration and Early Settlement (1850-1860): In the mid-1850s, the area that would become Las Vegas was explored by John C. Fremont and Kit Carson. The first non-native settlers were Mormon missionaries who built a fort in 1855 but abandoned it a couple of years later.

Octavius D. Gass (1860s-1880s): In the late 1860s, Octavius D. Gass established a ranch at the abandoned Mormon fort and began farming the area.

 Land Disputes and Ownership Changes (1880s-1890s): Gass defaulted on a loan in the 1880s, and the ranch was purchased by Archibald Stewart. After Stewart’s death, his wife, Helen, took over and later sold the land to the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad.

History of Las Vegas: 1900 to 1928

The early 20th century saw the birth of Las Vegas as a city and the beginning of its transformation into a key stop for travelers.

Establishment of Las Vegas (1905): The city of Las Vegas was officially established on May 15, 1905, when 110 acres of land adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks were auctioned off.

Growth as a Railroad Town (1905-1920): Following its establishment, Las Vegas grew as a railroad town, serving as a major stopover for people traveling westward as well as a maintenance stop for trains.

Prohibition Era (1920-1933): During Prohibition, the city’s close proximity to California, a state where alcohol was still legal, made it a significant spot for importing alcohol.

Boulder Dam Project (1928): In 1928, Congress authorized the Boulder Dam project (later renamed the Hoover Dam). This project, which began in 1931, brought a significant number of workers to the area and stimulated economic growth.

These periods set the stage for Las Vegas’s later growth and development into a world-renowned resort city.

History of Las Vegas: Before 1850

The history of Las Vegas before 1850 is primarily marked by its indigenous cultures and the exploration of European and American traders and settlers.

Indigenous Cultures: Archaeological evidence suggests that the area now known as Las Vegas has been inhabited by different indigenous cultures for at least 10,000 years. The Ancestral Puebloans, who lived in the region from around 300 B.C.E. to 1150 C.E., were followed by the Southern Paiute tribe, who were present when European explorers first arrived.

Spanish Exploration (1776): The first Europeans to explore the Las Vegas area were Francisco Garcés, a Franciscan missionary, and his party. They named the area “Las Vegas,” which means “The Meadows” in Spanish, due to the grasses and spring-fed greenery they found there.

Mexican Territory (1821-1848): After Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, Las Vegas became part of Mexican territory. During this period, the Old Spanish Trail trade route was established, passing through the Las Vegas Valley.

 American Exploration and Settlement (mid-19th century): In the mid-19th century, American explorers and traders, including John C. Fremont and Kit Carson, began to explore the area. Following the Mexican-American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 ceded Nevada, and therefore Las Vegas, to the United States.

This period laid the foundations for the later development and transformation of Las Vegas into a dynamic and vibrant city.