Getting to Know About Vegas History
Few imagine that the history of Las Vegas is as interesting as the city itself. Long before the casinos and famous tourist spots, the place was just a big desert. There was almost no population and the temperature was very high.
With parties, casinos, theaters, lots of lights and a unique look, Las Vegas is today a true paradise of luxury in the middle of the Mojave Desert. The popular city in Nevada, United States, has been the scene of numerous films and television series. It is also one of the greatest tourist destinations in the country, carrying an emblematic name for tourists from all around the world.
Anyone who travels to the most populous city in the state of Nevada may even think that they will only know the “city of sin”. The truth is that you can find little pieces of the whole world there! You can wander through New York, Paris, Venice, and even Egypt, which are the theme of some of the hotels. Totally extravagant, they rule the city and are responsible for making the Las Vegas itinerary so unique and interesting.
Remember that to enjoy everything the city has to show, you will need to rent comfortable chauffeured transportation. This is the best way to get to know the city and its amazing hotels, casinos, restaurants, and more. Vegas VIP Limousine is here for you. Contact us!
So, one of the first questions that may come to your mind is: how did this extravagant place, full of lights, that boasts luxury, arise in isolation in the middle of a desert?
The Beginning of Vegas History
Las Vegas got its name from the Spanish adventurer Antonio Armijo, in 1829 in the Mojave Desert. At the time, the region was home to the indigenous Paiutes. The Mormons settled there in 1855 when the territory became part of the United States.
The year 1844 marked the arrival of John C. Frémont, the leader of a group of scientists, scouts, and observers from the United States Army Corps of Engineers to an area that still belonged to Mexico. Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas got its name after him.
The US army built Fort Baker in the city in 1967, something that boosted population settlement in the region. In 1905, the building of a train station that traveled from Los Angeles to Albuquerque, passing through the city of Nevada, started the fame of the city of Las Vegas.
Gambling and Casinos in Vegas History
Gambling became legal in the city on March 19, 1931. The initial success of casinos in the city is clearly related to organized crime. Most of the first big casinos were managed or financed by mob figures like Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, Meyer Lansky, or other mobsters of the day.
With a very clear strategy – linked to the laws of Las Vegas – the government of Nevada attracted the public. It legalized gambling and simplified marriage and divorce procedures. All of this has made the city a popular destination for all Americans.
Between the 1930s and 1940s, several casinos and hotels were built, attracting even more tourists. This investment made the population jump from 5,000 to 40,000 inhabitants in a few years.
The first casinos opened their doors in 1941. Those were “The Rancho de Las Vegas” and “The Last Frontier”.
Some say you don’t have to go to a casino to experience Vegas. However, going to Vegas and not placing a bet is like going to a fast food restaurant and ordering salad and water. It does not make sense.
From then on, the fame of Las Vegas was already created. Investments began to appear more and more frequently and the city began to differentiate itself from the others. Las Vegas’ path to success was set.
As a complement to the game rooms, in 1950 musical activity was incorporated into the leisure offer. Theatrical offers and circus soon followed. The famous Cirque du Soleil has fixed shows in Las Vegas.
The Growth of Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the fastest-growing city in the United States. In 1940, it did not reach 40,000 inhabitants. In 1954 it had 54,000 inhabitants, and in 1995 its metropolitan area reached one million people.
The last census, in 2010, recorded a population of 1.95 million. According to the statistics by the United States Census Bureau, responsible for the US census, there are already 2.2 million living in this metropolitan area in Clark County (where the city is located). Every month, thousands of people settle in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Today
After everything that’s happened to the city—from its discovery to its nickname Sin City—Las Vegas has become, without a doubt, one of the most amazing cities on the planet. Due to the city’s fame, it is possible to understand that its main source of income is tourism, but there are other very important areas in the region.
Civil construction keeps pace with the growth of the city, being of paramount importance in the GDP of the Vegas region. Likewise, the business also takes place in the city of casinos. In addition to several companies, Las Vegas hosts many professional fairs and events, most of which are held at the city’s convention center. At CES alone — the world’s largest electronics event — there are 150,000 visitors.
The city is also one of the biggest cultural hubs in the world, as the best shows in Vegas are performed by different artists every month. Not counting, obviously, residents who already have a fixed agenda in the city.
Add to that the circus activities in the region — represented mainly by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas — and the sporting events — mainly linked to martial arts — and the result is one of the most eclectic and lively cities in the world.