However, this did not stop those who had already caught the gambling bug from continuing to take advantage with underground games taking place all through the state. In 1911 Las Vegas officially became a city. It was only by the Great Depression that gambling was legalized. Initially, it was only a small industry and tax revenue from the industry went to fund the State's public education.
El Rancho Vegas was the first gambling establishment built on "The Strip" and that began to fuel further development on the Las Vegas Strip. A number of other hotel-casinos soon began construction along what is called 'the strip' today. These first places were the Hotel Last Frontier, Flamingo Hotel and the Thunderbird. Only the Flamingo Hotel-Casino is still standing today.
The Flamingo Hotel & Casino was built by Benjamin Bugsy Siegel, a famous mobster of the era. This became one of the most popular resorts, attracting many celebrities. This casino was recognizable by the pink flamingos on the lawn, and this also started the trend of flashy designed casinos on the strip. The Flamingo Hotel is owned by the Caesars Entertainment Corp. today and still holds onto that Miami theme this spot was always known for.
Following the development of the Flamingo, in 1955 a number of high-rise hotels and casinos were developed, starting with the Riviera Hotel. The Tropicana is one of these casinos still standing today from this development period. The Moulin Rouge hotel and Casino came out around this time period. This is where entertainment in the resorts became popular as they featured a kind of strip show. In the late 1950s, the first convention center was developed in Las Vegas, attracting more tourists and business travelers.
The first entertainment, other than strippers, began with El Rancho Vegas. They only had a small showroom called the "Round-Up Room", but they hired singers and dancers to entertain guests who were looking for more than just the opportunity to gamble.
Las Vegas has gotten its name as an easy city to be in because there are fewer limitations. There is no personal income tax or corporate income tax in Nevada, individuals can get a marriage license immediately and the lenient divorce proceedings and the City's tolerance for various forms of adult entertainment have earned it the title of Sin City.
The Mega Hotel-Casino Resorts in operation today started around the late 1950's, mid 1960's and early 1970s. The first was The Tropicana and then Circus-Circus, which appears as a big circus tent, it's the largest permanent big top in the world today. These mega resorts were designed to offer everything and then some to those visiting Vegas. They offer everything so people don't actually need to leave, although they surely appreciate the opportunity to see all of the other sights and sounds of the city!
Las Vegas has come a long way since it all began, but it has still held onto many of those things people appreciated about it!
Las Vegas History Timeline - Past and Present - Noted and Recorded
Pre 1776 - A few tumbleweeds blow around the desert while smoke signals slowly drift upwards from the Native American tee-pees that were known as the "Southern Paiute". They inhabited the area in and around what is today known as Las Vegas.
1776 - 1829: A few more tumbleweeds and smoke signals are still prevalent as the area is still part of Mexico. Las Vegas was named by Spaniards in the Antonio Armijo party.
1829 - The Spanish Scout Rafael Riviera becomes the first recorded European to visit the Las Vegas Valley. Also in 1829, Antonio Armijo arrives after his scout Rafael Riviera.
1844 - John C. Fremont Arrives in Las Vegas as a leader of a group of scientists, scouts and observers for the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
1848 - Mexico ceded to the U.S.A. the area that is known today as the State of Nevada.
1855 - William Bringhurst and a group of 30 Mormon missionaries arrive in Las Vegas and establish a fort near the current downtown area to try to convert the Paiute Indian population to Mormonism. The first Post Office was established and was named Bringhurst after Mission President William Bringhurst.
1857 - The Mormons decide to abandon the fort and Las Vegas. We reckon they had already had enough of
Sin City!
1864 - Nevada is admitted into the Union by President Lincoln.
1865 - Octavius Decatur Gass takes over the old Mormon Fort and re-establishes it as the Las Vegas Rancho.
1881 - Archibald and Helen Stewart acquire the Las Vegas Rancho from Octavius Decatur Gass for $5,000.00. The Las Vegas Rancho eventually evolved into a local resort and then a testing laboratory for the Bureau of Reclamation during the construction of Hoover Dam in 1931.
1884 - Archibald Stewart was murdered at Kiel Ranch. The first recorded Las Vegas Murder that still remains unsolved to this day.
1903 - Helen Stewart sells the Las Vegas Rancho to Montana Senator William A. Clark for $55,000.00
1905 - The Town of Las Vegas was established as a railroad town when 110 acres owned by the Salt Lake, San Pedro & Los Angeles Railroad were auctioned off. Las Vegas was then part of Lincoln County until 1908 when it became part of the newly established Clark County. Also in 1905, the first train arrives in Las Vegas.
1907 - The first telephone wires were installed in Las Vegas.
1909 - Clark County, Nevada was created and the first Theater named the Isis opened.
1910 - The State of Nevada Bans Gambling.
1911 - The City of Las Vegas was incorporated.
1912 - The Majestic Theater opened up for business.
1914 - The first Movie filmed in Vegas was called 'The Hazards of Helen'.
1920 - The first Airplane lands in Las Vegas. Randall Henderson and his Jenny, but where was Forrest?
1923 - The first official Rodeo takes place.
1927 - The first Golf Course was built.
1926 - The first commercial airline flight takes place by Western Air Express.
1929 - Las Vegas High School opens.
1931 - Hoover Dam construction began in Black Canyon. Gambling was legalized in Nevada and the first State Gaming License was issued to Las Vegas resident Mayme Stocker.
1933 - The Historic Downtown US Post-Office and Federal Courthouse opens for business and justice.
1935 - Hoover Dam is completed and was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt. The dam also formed Lake Mead which is the USA's largest man-made lake and reservoir.
Related Articles:
Las Vegas History Timelines Part II
Las Vegas History Timelines Part III
Las Vegas History Timelines Part IV
Las Vegas History Timelines Part V
