Uncover the captivating timeline of Las Vegas history, from its humble beginnings to a bustling gambling mecca. Follow the city's evolution over the decades below.
The Las Vegas Valley has a fascinating geological and cultural history. This region boasted a prehistoric landscape, characterized by a sprawling marshland teeming with water and lush vegetation.
The rivers that initially fed this marsh eventually disappeared underground. However, in the early stages of the valley's geological history, water resurfaced and began to flow, giving birth to what we now know as the Colorado River.
THE BIRTH OF LAS VEGAS
700 B.C.
The Native Americans, specifically the Paiute tribe, established their presence in the Las Vegas Valley for countless generations. However, their tranquil way of life faced a significant upheaval with the arrival of the first European explorers.
A group of 60 men, led by the Antonio Armijo, ventured to establish a crucial trade route connecting the territories we know today as Las Vegas and Los Angeles – The Armijo Route of the Old Spanish Trail. Captivated by the valley's beauty, Spanish merchants bestowed upon it the name "Las Vegas", signifying "the meadows" in their native language.
Today's Las Vegas was initially under Mexican rule. Nevertheless, in May 1844, John C. Fremont, a prominent US Senator from California, gave the order to prepare the Las Vegas Valley for the impending war with Mexico.
1846-1848
Following the Mexican American War, America emerged triumphant, and the Las Vegas Valley fell into their hands, becoming part of their expanding territory.
1855
William Bringhurst spearheaded a group of Mormon missionaries from Utah who were supposed to teach the Las Vegas Paiutes how to farm. Though the missionaries hoped to live among the Native Americans, the first thing on their agenda was to lay out a fort. Today, remnants of this historic fort can be admired at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park.
Native Americans, who had not yet accepted the Mormons’ teachings, stole the harvest from the missionaries. At a special conference in Santa Clara, Utah, church officials abandoned the Las Vegas Mission.
1860
During American Civil War, a small detachment of U.S. Army troops was assigned to protect the settlers at the fort. The fort was called Fort Baker, named after Edward Dickinson Baker, an American politician, lawyer, and US Army officer.
Octavius Gass, a visionary entrepreneur, and politician, purchased the fort with Nathaniel Lewis and Lewis Cole, calling it the Las Vegas Rancho. Gass made wine at his ranch, and Las Vegas became known as the best stop on the historical trade route.
1902
William A. Clark's San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad acquired the property of Las Vegas Rancho from Helen Stewart along with what is now downtown Las Vegas, transferring most of the company's land to the now defunct Las Vegas Land and Water Company.
1905
Construction of the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad main line was completed. The railway was also known by its nickname, "The Salt Lake Route", and was also referred to as "The Clark Road".
Did you know? During the 18th century, Paris gained the moniker "City of Lights". Contrary to popular belief, this title was not solely attributed to its streetlights, but rather to its intellectual movement known as the "Siècle des Lumières" or the Century of Lights, which is also recognized as the Age of Enlightenment. However, in the realm of electric illumination, Las Vegas takes the crown. Renowned as the brightest city on Earth, the city lights are visible from space during nighttime.
The town of Las Vegas emerged around 1905 as a small railroad settlement, officially recognized by the state of Nevada. Initially, it had a modest population of around 800 residents.
THE RISE OF LAS VEGAS
1906
Golden Gate, the first casino in the area, opened its doors at 1 Fremont Street.
Nevada prohibited gambling, becoming the last Western state to do so. Even flipping a coin for the price of a drink, a common Western custom, was outlawed. Nevertheless, gambling persisted in illicit casinos, and organized crime began to establish roots in the city.
1931
Gambling was legalized again. In March of 1931, the Northern Club became the first establishment in Las Vegas to receive a gambling license.
Construction began on the Hoover Dam, which was one of the largest engineering projects in U.S. history, and that attracted thousands of workers to nearby Boulder City. The dam's construction put Las Vegas on the map as a destination for both tourists and workers. The town's population, which had been around 5,000, surged to 25,000 by the time the dam was completed in 1935.
With the end of Prohibition, both alcohol and gambling began to generate significant profits for Las Vegas. Aware of the potential financial gains, organized crime, commonly referred to as the Mob.
1938
A new mayor of Los Angeles intensified efforts to crack down on illegal gambling. Individuals with expertise in running gambling operations saw an opportunity and relocated to Las Vegas. One such influential figure was Guy McAfee, a former LAPD officer involved in running gambling and prostitution rings. He sought refuge in Las Vegas to evade prosecution.
The infamous gangster Benjamin Siegel, also known as Bugsy Siegel, ran the Northern Club and astutely saw the gambling potential of Las Vegas, thereby consolidating the Mob's power in the city. Allegedly, he disliked being referred to as Bugsy.
Did you know? Obtaining a gambling license at this time was a challenging task, resulting in only a handful of casinos operating in Las Vegas. Most of the establishments were situated on Fremont Street, which later gained the nickname "Glitter Gulch" due to its dazzling lights. The Hoover Dam provided the electricity that illuminated Las Vegas at night, making it one of the few cities in the country to be brilliantly lit after dark.
From Mobsters to a Gambling Mecca
During the heyday of Las Vegas, the Mob played a significant role in the city's fame as a gambling mecca. Mobsters like Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky were well-known figures in Las Vegas. They owned and operated some of the most popular casinos in the city, attracting both locals and celebrities alike. However, the transformation of Las Vegas into a gambling paradise truly began when experienced gambling entrepreneurs started migrating there.
FROM MOBSTERS TO A GAMBLING MECCA
1941
Guy McAfee opened El Rancho Vegas, the first hotel-casino along a section of Highway 91, later known as the Strip. El Rancho Vegas' success made gambling a popular vacation activity, leading to the establishment of more hotel-casinos.
The Strip's first wedding chapel, the Little Church of the West, opened. From the early 1900s, Nevada was known as a place where unhappy couples could divorce quickly. Las Vegas later embraced the idea of quick marriage as well.
Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo Hotel opened, quickly becoming a hotspot for Hollywood elites, solidifying Las Vegas as a glamorous destination. The success of Siegel's Flamingo, which earned a staggering $4 million profit in 1948 alone, inspired the Mob to open more casinos on the Strip, including the Frontier and the Sands.
One of the oldest Las Vegas hotel-casinos still around today, Golden Nugget first opened its doors. Its great neon sign became an icon of Fremont Street. The resort has been featured at the huge display numerous times, along with Elvis Presley's Viva Las Vegas.
Bugsy Siegel was shot dead by a sniper through the window of Hill's Linden Drive mansion. His car is permanently buried under The Flamingo after his murder.
1951
On Fremont Street, Benny Binion was a notable player in the casino business. He opened the popular Horseshoe Casino, which distinguished itself as a gambling-centric venue, devoid of entertainment shows, music, or private gambling rooms. Binion also revolutionized casino culture by introducing no upper limit on bets and pioneering the concept of comps for gamblers.
The Sands Hotel and Casino opened on the Las Vegas Strip and operated till 1996. Designed by architect Wayne McAllister, with a prominent 56-foot (17 m) high sign, the Sands was the seventh resort to open on the Strip.
1953
Frank Sinatra made his debut in Las Vegas at the Sands Hotel. Together with fellow artists Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford, collectively known as the Rat Pack, Sinatra was the featured act on some of the city's largest stages. They would go all around the city eating, drinking, gambling, and doing combined stage appearances.
The growing number of luxurious casino complexes in Las Vegas attracted millions of tourists, with over eight million visitors spending more than $200 million in the state's casinos in 1954.
Did you know? Las Vegas resorts leveraged the proximity of the Nevada Test Site, located about 65 miles away, to entice tourists. Before early morning atomic detonations, resorts hosted parties that lasted until the visible nuclear explosion at dawn. These celebrations featured special "atomic cocktails" and "Miss Atomic Energy" pageants, adding a unique and unconventional element to the Vegas experience.
Crime had a significant role in creating Las Vegas, but its dominance was short-lived. In 1950 the United States Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime in Interstate Commerce, also known as the Kefauver Hearings, convened in Las Vegas. Kefauver Hearings provided substantial evidence linking organized crime to flourishing casinos, which led to the proposal of federal gambling control as a countermeasure.
By the late 1950s, the Nevada Gaming Commission took decisive action to restrict the influence of gangsters within the city. A significant step in this process was the creation of the so-called Black Book that served to identify individuals with criminal records and prohibit their entry into casinos. These measures proved highly effective in separating crime organizations from the casinos, allowing corporations to take control.
BOOMING DECADES
1955
Resort Riviera opened and operated until May 2015.
1956
As the tallest building in the state of Nevada, the Fremont Hotel opened on 200 Fremont Street. It was designed by architect Wayne McAllister. At the time of its opening, it had 155 rooms, cost $6 million to open, and was owned by Ed Levinson and Lou Lurie. Today, the casino is operated by the Boyd Gaming Corporation.
The sign " Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" was built and installed. Even today, the sign is recognized all over the world. Interestingly enough, it's never marked the actual city limits of Las Vegas – it sits around 4 miles (6km) from the actual city of Las Vegas.
The Sin City nickname for Las Vegas centers mostly on the city being an adult playground, with gambling, showgirls, and alcohol. The reference, according to several experts, was made for the first time in the 1963 book "Las Vegas, City of Sin?" by then-casino executives Pat Howell and Dick Taylor.
1966
Private individuals also played important roles in Las Vegas's development. Howard Hughes, a prominent figure in American business and aviation, made Las Vegas his home until 1970 and acquired the Desert Inn, expanding his financial empire.
Caesars Palace took inspiration from the Roman Empire, complete with marble columns and statues, while the Circus Circus' main structure was designed as a giant circus tent – these hotels were the first to set the trend for themed hotels in Vegas.
1968
After Circus Circus casino made its debut with the largest permanent circus in the world and a "junior casino", Las Vegas gained popularity as a family vacation destination.
After a disappointing Las Vegas debut in 1959, Elvis Presley came back to Vegas 10 years later and marked the start of what would become a seven-year-long residency at the International Hotel (now Westgate).
Through many television shows, Las Vegas entered American living rooms. Merv Griffin started filming his chat show during the day at Caesars Palace with local celebrities as main guests.
1978
The TV show Vega$ premiered, portraying the images of actor Robert Urich driving a red Thunderbird convertible down the Strip.
Did you know? From the 1950s to the early 1960s, entertainment venues, including those in Las Vegas, were segregated based on race. White-owned businesses dominated the industry, barring black Americans from entry, except for those employed in menial roles or entertainers. The first racially integrated casino and hotel in Las Vegas was Moulin Rouge. Poor management caused the facility to close in October 1955, after only six months of operation.
Las Vegas experienced a brief setback in the late 1970s due to a nationwide economic recession. The city experienced a slowdown in investment, resulting in a lack of excitement compared to the newly legalized gambling scene in Atlantic City.
Eventually, the city's fortunes took a turn for the better in the late 1980s when its overall growth aligned with the flourishing gambling and tourist economy. Within a decade, between 1980 and 1990, the population swelled by nearly 100,000, surpassing a quarter million residents.
MEGARESORT ERA
1980
Following the devastating fire that occurred at the MGM Grand Hotel in November 1980, tourism experienced a significant downturn, resulting in the loss of more than 80 lives.
1980
William Lee Bergstrom walked into Binion's Horseshoe Casino carrying a suitcase containing 777,000 dollars, equivalent to around 2.31 million dollars today. He placed bets at the craps table and won. He later won again in 1984 but subsequently lost 1,000,000 dollars on a bet, leading to the end of his gambling endeavors.
1989
The megaresort era commenced with the construction of The Mirage – an iconic resort built with Wall Street funding amounting to an impressive $630 million. The Mirage set a new benchmark for luxury in Las Vegas, boasting 3,044 rooms, each adorned with gold-tinted windows. This architectural marvel enticed throngs of tourists and ignited a surge of investment and rapid growth along the renowned Las Vegas Strip.
MGM Grand originally opened on December 18, 1973, reopened on the Las Vegas Strip. In the same year, Treasure Island (today known as TI) launched.
1993
The entertainment scene in Las Vegas was transformed by the Canadian circus/theater group Cirque du Soleil. They debuted their show Mystére at the newly opened Treasure Island, marking the first of eight Cirque productions that would captivate audiences over the following two decades.
Luxor Las Vegas opened. The hotel is named after the city of Luxor in Egypt. Following the theme of Ancient Egypt, it has some incredible Ancient Egyptian attractions. One of the most notable attractions is a replica of the Great Sphinx in Las Vegas, which is much larger and taller than the original Egyptian sphinx. On the other hand, the hotel's pyramid is similar in size to the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid of Egypt.
Downtown Las Vegas was given new life when the Fremont Street Experience was completed. In downtown Las Vegas, the westernmost five blocks of Fremont Street, including the neighborhood long known as "Glitter Gulch", are a pedestrian mall and attraction.
Closer to the Strip, rock restaurant magnate Peter Morton launched the Hard Rock Hotel, touted as "the world's first rock 'n' roll hotel and casino".
1996
Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, now known as The Strat Hotel & Casino & Tower, includes a 1,149 ft (350.2 m) observation tower, the tallest in the United States.
The opening of the Bellagio elevated the standard of luxury on the Las Vegas Strip. The resort's elegance and exceptional amenities set a new benchmark for luxury resorts in the city. To this day, the Bellagio remains one of the most iconic and prestigious hotels and casinos in Las Vegas.
The Venetian casino stood out from the beginning thanks to popular gondola rides. Visitors can take a gondola ride through the indoor and outdoor canals, which are skillfully crafted to resemble the waterways of Venice.
Paris Las Vegas is a casino hotel opened, including the replica of the Eiffel Tower and other Paris landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Paris Opera House, and the Musée d'Orsay. The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable structures in the iconic Strip – it spans 540 feet, making it less than half the size of the real tower in Paris.
At the southern end of the Strip, Mandalay Bay made its presence known.
Did you know? Las Vegas' famous motto, "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas," became an integral part of the American vernacular. The original slogan, „What Happens Here, Stays Here", was created in 2003 by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and advertising agency R&R Partners. The idea was to brand Las Vegas as more than a gambling destination, promoting adult freedom and empowerment. In 2020, the campaign was updated and launched as "What Happens Here, Only Happens Here."
Las Vegas in the New Millenium
The megaresort trend that emerged in the 1990s continued to thrive. As Las Vegas expanded, new hotels sought to outdo each other in terms of entertainment offerings beyond gambling. Decadent nightclubs, celebrity chef-backed restaurants, luxurious spas, and world-class shows became part of the competition among the newer hotels.
From 2008 to 2010, Las Vegas experienced the repercussions of the financial crisis – the economic success of the city was greatly affected as new home construction projects came to a halt. Several notable projects, such as CityCenter, Fontainebleau, Echelon, and The Plaza, were affected by these challenges.
LAS VEGAS IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
2000
The Desert Inn, also known as the D.I., was a prominent hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip from 1950. After casino mogul Steve Wynn purchased the property for $270 million in 2000, he decided to demolish it and replace it with a new hotel, resort, and casino. The remaining towers of the Desert Inn were imploded in 2004, making way for the Wynn and Encore, which now occupy the same location.
The excess and extravagance of Las Vegas also became a significant aspect of popular culture. Mentionable is the movie Ocean's Eleven, featuring A-list actors like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts.
2003
Renowned artists such as Mariah Carey, Cher, Gwen Stefani, and Bruno Mars embraced Las Vegas as their performing home, contributing to its reputation as a destination for world-class entertainment. Céline Dion kicked off a 5-year residency at Caesars Palace in 2003 and returned in 2011.
2003
The biggest jackpot in the history of slots was won in Excalibur Casino based in Las Vegas. The player wagered $100 on a Megabucks slot, which resulted in an unbelievable win of $39.7 million. The casino has agreed to pay out the winnings over 25 years, so the installments should finish sometime in 2028.
2007
Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino had its grand opening in November after the remodeling of the Aladdin Hotel & Casino.
Las Vegas held the title of the gambling capital of the world until 2007, when it was overtaken by Macau in Hong Kong, with gambling revenues exceeding Vegas each year.
2008
Encore Las Vegas, now known as Encore at Wynn Las Vegas or simply Encore, opened on December 22.
One of the most ambitious projects in Las Vegas was CityCenter, which comprised a 4,000-room megaresort, two 400-room boutique hotels, condos, shopping areas, dining establishments, and more. Spanning over 60 acres, CityCenter became a city within the city.
The new Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, connected to the existing resort, opened in January. This luxury vacation ownership and condominium tower featured over 1,200 units ranging from 1 to 4 bedrooms, including a four-story penthouse with 28 luxury condominiums ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 square feet.
2010
The biggest roulette bet in Las Vegas history was made at Golden Gate at $250,000.
2012
As part of the Downtown revitalization project The Year of Downtown, attractions like DISCOVERY Children's Museum, The Mob Museum, and The Neon Museum all opened their doors.
2012
Mayor Oscar Goodman became a proponent of The Mob Museum. The facility housed in a former courthouse that once hosted the Kefauver hearings, delves into the history and impact of the Mafia in America, with a particular focus on its influence in Las Vegas.
A study showed that although 15% of people visit primarily for gambling, about 71% do so during their visit anyway.
2017
A mass shooting left 60 dead and 867 injured when a 64-year-old man, Stephen Paddock, fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay casino and hotel into the Route 91 Harvest country music festival.
At the Consumer Electronic Show, Elon Musk's Boring Company tested the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) Loop at full capacity, which was their largest trial so far. The Vegas Loop is a transport system with three stations and 1.7 miles (2.7km) of tunnels, and it's now officially open.
Did you know? In Las Vegas, more than 300 weddings take place each day. There are a ton of walk-in wedding locations where you can get married right away. In less than ten minutes, you can get married by an Elvis impersonator, which is a very popular choice.
Las Vegas Today and Tomorrow
During its rich history, Las Vegas has undergone several fundamental, pioneering changes. The same is true today, as the gambling industry has seen significant technological transformations. Resorts World became the first casino in Nevada to introduce cashless betting for slots and tables, along with digital payment options for purchases like food and entertainment through their app in 2021.
Virtual and online gambling have also emerged as potential challenges and opportunities for Las Vegas casinos. While brick-and-mortar establishments still dominate the city, virtual gambling at online casinos has gained traction. However, the atmosphere and excitement of Las Vegas are expected to continue attracting visitors, ensuring demand for its casinos.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted Las Vegas in various ways, including business closures, event cancellations, and the temporary decline of tourism. Nevertheless, the Las Vegas Convention Center underwent an extension to the Strip, reinforcing its status as a premier destination for conventions, and is set to undergo further renovations from 2021 to 2024.
Whatever it will be, one thing is certain – interesting things await in Las Vegas. From a humble railroad city to an entertainment haven, Las Vegas, a city of constant reinvention, keeps us guessing about the exciting future ahead.
Meanwhile, if you're interested in the thing that made Las Vegas famous, don't hesitate to find out more about the
history of gambling.
