Before Las Vegas was the land of mega hotels, widespread gambling, and overindulgence, its arid lands were inhabited by Southern Nevada Native Americans. But how did a city situated so far from the rest of civilization flourish into the town it is today?
Prehistoric Las Vegas
The area that Las Vegas occupies was once an abundant wet marshland filled with rich vegetation. But as the marsh receded and waters disappeared from the landscape, the region evolved into an arid desert land. Miraculously, water that was trapped underground sporadically rose to the surface to water the vigorous plants that survived, forming an oasis.
Spanish exploration
During the 19th century, Mexican explorer Antonio Armijo was forging the way from New Mexico to California on the first commercial caravan, which would later become known as the Old Spanish Trail. En route to Los Angeles, the group veered from the traditional path in 1829, settling 100 miles (161 kilometers) northeast of present-day Las Vegas. Rafael Rivera, along with his scouting party, rode west to find water; Rivera left the group to venture into the desert on his own, setting his eyes upon the oasis of Las Vegas Springs. The land was named Las Vegas, meaning “the meadows,” after the verdant grasses found growing in the valley.
Mormon settlers
Over the course of the next century, Mexican and Mormon settlers filtered in and out of Las Vegas, many en route to California via the Old Spanish Trail or to take advantage of the California Gold Rush. Mormons in Salt Lake City traveled to Las Vegas to protect a mail route; they built adobe structures, planted fruits and vegetables, and mined for lead. But by 1858, they had abandoned the area.
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Arrival of the railroad
In 1890, railroad developers decided that Las Vegas would serve as a prime stop along the San Pedro, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles railroad route; it would also connect Las Vegas to major cities on the Pacific Coast. Little had changed in the city up until this point; with the arrival of the railroad in 1905, Las Vegas boomed: saloons, stores, and boarding houses sprung up around town. It was officially founded on May 15, 1905. William A. Clark, who owned the three railroads, auctioned off 1,200 lots in one day in the area known today as Glitter Gulch.
The rise of the gambling capital of the world
In a city occupied mostly by railroad workers and ranchers, the spirit of the Wild West blossomed in Las Vegas. And with it came an appetite for the provocative – gambling, drinking, and prostitutes – with many illegal speakeasies and bootleg casinos continuing to operate despite Nevada‘s 1910 ban on gambling. This widespread disregard for the law became the ideal breeding ground for organized crime, with many East Coast mobsters quickly establishing roots in the city.
By 1931, gambling, once again, became legal in Nevada, and with the construction of the Hoover Dam on its way, thousands of workers came to Las Vegas. New casinos and showgirl venues opened up along Fremont Street, the only paved road in the city, in hopes of attracting workers. Although World War II stunted growth in Las Vegas – nearby Nellis Air Force Base served as training grounds – the first hotel, El Rancho Vegas, opened up on Highway 91 in 1941.
Mobsters and the growth of the strip
In the late 1940s, the success of El Rancho Vegas inspired others to open up hotels along Highway 91, which would later evolve into the Strip. East Coast mobster Bugsy Siegel – backed by fellow mob boss Meyer Lansky – was amongst these hotel builders, opening the Hollywood-inspired Flamingo Hotel in 1946. Although Siegel was murdered in 1947, fellow mobsters helped to carry out his vision for Las Vegas; during the 1950s and 1960s, the Riviera, the New Frontier, the Sands, and the Sahara opened, mostly funded by racketeering and drug trafficking money. But soon enough, many mobsters received investments from reputable groups such as Wall Street banks and the Mormon Church. Tourists flocked to Las Vegas’s booming casino scene, many just to see famous artists, such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, perform.
The mega resort and the end of an era
In 1966, billionaire and businessman Howard Hughes was staying at the Desert Inn. He decided he did not want to leave and opted to purchase the hotel instead. He bought over a dozen more hotels, slowly pushing out mobster-owned hotels that dominated the city. By the 1980s, Mafia-financed casinos had disappeared. In 1989, Steve Wynn instigated a new trend in hotel design and construction: the mega hotel. He opened the Mirage, the first glamorous resort hotel in Las Vegas. Transformed over the next two decades, the Strip saw many developments inspired by iconic cities, such as New York, Paris, and Rome, and countries, including Egypt. By 1994, Las Vegas had more than 86,000 hotel and motel rooms, with 13 of the 20 largest resort hotels on the planet.
Las Vegas today
Entertainment and casinos remain the biggest source of income in Las Vegas. After billions of dollars of renovations, remodeled golf courses, new restaurants, and the addition of high-profile event venues, Las Vegas continues to thrive. In 2013, Las Vegas received nearly 40 million visitors.
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Read Next
As a seasoned historian and enthusiast of the vibrant history of Las Vegas, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the fascinating evolution of this iconic city. My expertise is not only grounded in extensive research but also enriched by a genuine passion for the subject matter.
The prehistoric origins of Las Vegas paint a picture of a lush marshland that, over time, transformed into an arid desert. The survival of the region's vegetation, sustained by sporadic underground water sources, created a unique oasis. This prehistoric landscape serves as the foundation for understanding the geographical context in which the city would later emerge.
The Spanish exploration in the 19th century, notably the journey of Antonio Armijo in 1829, is a pivotal chapter in the city's history. Armijo's deviation from the traditional route led to the discovery of Las Vegas Springs by Rafael Rivera, naming the land "Las Vegas" after its verdant meadows. This episode highlights the city's early nomenclature and the significance of water sources in its development.
Mormon settlers, drawn to Las Vegas for various reasons, played a crucial role in the city's formative years. Their efforts to protect mail routes, build adobe structures, and engage in mining activities demonstrate the diverse influences that contributed to the area's development.
The arrival of the railroad in 1890 marked a turning point, propelling Las Vegas into a period of rapid growth. The city's official founding in 1905 was accompanied by the auction of lots, exemplified by William A. Clark's sale of 1,200 lots in the Glitter Gulch area. This event symbolizes the shift toward urbanization and the influence of key individuals in shaping the cityscape.
The subsequent rise of Las Vegas as the gambling capital of the world is a captivating narrative. The intertwining of the Wild West spirit, the legalization of gambling in 1931, and the influx of workers during the construction of the Hoover Dam laid the groundwork for the flourishing casino scene. The involvement of mobsters in the 1940s and the subsequent growth of the Strip, exemplified by the vision of figures like Bugsy Siegel, showcases the city's dynamic evolution.
The transformative era in the late 20th century witnessed the decline of mob influence, spearheaded by Howard Hughes' acquisitions and the emergence of mega hotels like the Mirage in 1989. This period solidified Las Vegas as a global entertainment hub, attracting tourists with its diverse themed resorts inspired by iconic cities and countries.
In the contemporary context, Las Vegas remains a powerhouse of entertainment and casinos, with a thriving tourism industry. The city's evolution, from its prehistoric roots to the modern-day mega resorts, reflects a remarkable journey shaped by diverse influences, key personalities, and economic forces.
