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Las Vegas HistoryLas Vegas
In the early 1700's Spanish traders making their way to Los Angeles
via the Spanish Trail, began searching for a quicker travel route. The Spaniard
traders referred to the trail they used through the vegas valley as the "jornada
de muerte" journey of death.
The party sent out a scout by the name of Rafael Rivera who was the first European
to discover what we now call Las Vegas. Looking down at the valley Rafael Rivera
saw wild grasses and a plentiful supply of water which could reduce the trek by
days. This valley earned its Spanish name of "The Meadows" which translates
to Las Vegas.
On May 15, 1905 Las Vegas is founded as a city. By 1911 the divorce laws for the
state of Nevada were very free, residents could obtain a fast divorce in only six
weeks; through being a resident of Nevada for a mere six week period. Short term
residents stayed at "dude ranches". These were the large Las Vegas strip
hotels.
In 1931 Hover Dam began its construction, an influx of skilled construction workers
became residents of Las Vegas. The population increase was a welcome opportunity
for financial growth. Vegas like all American cities were in the grip of Great Depression.
Las Vegas Offered many natural resources adding its isolation made it a viable site
for the US military. Nellis Air Force Base was established in the Vegas Desert in
1940.
First Vegas Casino
In December 1946 the first Vegas casino opened outside the city
limits of Las Vegas on the Los Angeles highway. This was the well know Flamingo
Casino. 1957 marked the Las Vegas time line, Topless Showgirls debut on the Strip
with "Minsky's Follies."
The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, was created by Betty Willis and was erected
in 1959.
In the early 60's Howard Hughes saw Las Vegas as a highly desirable investment opportunity.
Giving way to establishing large corporations and the building of & or the acquisition
of Hotel & or Casino properties. With the influx of these larger corporations;
"Gambling" would soon be known as "Gaming".
By the last 1960's the big Hollywood names were holding lavish parties and used
Las Vegas as a weekend getaway. The famous "Rat Pack" headed by Frank
Sinatra, also included great identities as Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop,
and Peter Lawford, were all regular visitors to the Nevada and the Las Vegas strip
Casinos.
In 1969 the International Hotel (now known as the Las Vegas Hilton) opened. Elvis
Presley officially open this the Las Vegas Hilton Casino landmark.
Las Vegas Strip
Also known as "The Strip" it is 4 miles long and features many of the
well know Vegas Casino hotels, such as the: Palms, Venetian Casino Resort, Circus
Circus Hotel-Casino, Casino Royale & Hotel, Flamingo Las Vegas, Caesars Palace,
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Bally's Las Vegas, Excalibur Hotel-Casino and many others.
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