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This is the story of: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA |  There are few times in the history of a city when so many courageous and determined people, |
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THE EARLY YEARS:Las Vegas had been inhabited by native Americans for hundreds of years before the first westerners ever arrived. In the early 1700’s a Spanish trader Rafael Rivera is believed to have been the first European to penetrate the valley, where the city stands today. Finding it full of wild grasses and with a plentiful supply of water he named it: Las Vegas.
In 1844 John Charles Fremont entered the valley, noting the name for the first time in his exploration journal and it still remains today as: Las Vegas (The Meadows). In 1855 Mormon Colonists sent by Brigham Young were the first none-native American settlers in the area and although there fortifications were abandoned only two years later, the subsequent owner Octavius Decatur Gass, established a working Ranch that flourished throughout the rest of the 19th Century. An adobe remnant of the original complex built by the Mormon Colonists is the oldest building in Nevada and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Gass Ranch as it was to become known was eventually owned by Mrs Helen Stewart until 1902 when she sold most of the 1,840 acres to Montana Senator William Clark. The Senator also owned the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City Railroad and after merging with his previous competitor, Edward H. Harriman’s: Union Pacific, the new company laid tracks through the Mountains of Southern California (near where many Nevadans drive along the Interstate 15 today). By October 1904 the tracks had reached the Las Vegas: Clark’s Ranch, spreading through the area known today as “Downtown” Las Vegas. In 1905 things started to happen in a big way. Firstly Senator Clark’s held a Land auction on 15th May selling 110 Acres of his land in just two days. (This auction founded the modern Las Vegas and was part of Lincoln County until 1909 when it became part of the newly established Clark County). Additionally, approximately 80 acres of land that Mrs Stewart hadn’t sold to Senator Clark was purchased by John T Mc Williams. This land was West of the Railroad and was also sold off as lots in the area now known as West Las Vegas. Mc Williams was doing well but soon water became the problem. The water supply was controlled by Clark’s Big Springs and Mc Williams was forced to dig well’s throughout his new Township. However this was not enough. In 1905 Mc Williams West-side Town-site burnt down and although others would eventually settle there, Senator Clarks Town-site became the Las Vegas known throughout the World Today. By 1910, in just five years, the Railroad dominated not only the physical Landscape but also the Towns growth. The establishment of some 64 bungalow style cottages to house rail road workers were significant structures for the new town-site. Only a few of the cottages now remain but they are a powerful reminder of the industry that once dominated the city.>From the large mission style depot on Freemont Street, the city’s main business corridor, to the three story concrete Ice Plant on Main Street, the railroad continued to be the focus of the community until the mid 1920’s when the main yards were moved to Caliente Nevada and hundreds of Railroad workers were laid off. Abandoned by the railroad and feeling the effects of the Great Depression, the future of the town was uncertain. However, three events would soon change the face of Las Vegas forever In 1931 Gambling became legal in Nevada and the first legal Casino called the Northern Club was opened. At the same time divorce laws were liberalized making a quick divorce possible after only six weeks of residency. This combined with the construction of Boulder Dam, later to be called Hoover Dam, brought an influx of Federal Dollars and construction workers into the fledgling city. Today, the Hoover Dam is a testimony to a countries ability to construct Monolithic projects in the midst of adverse conditions. Built during the Depression., thousands of men and their families came to Black Canyon to tame the Colorado River. It took less than five years, in a harsh an baron land, to build the largest Dam of its time. Now years later,Hoover Dam still stands as a world-renowned structure and is a national Historic Landmark. By 1941 Las Vegas Army Airfield, now called Nellis Air force Base, was built on the site of Western Air Express field, located in the North East part of the valley which is now known as the City of Henderson. It was on this site also that a basic Magnesium Plant began operations to supply raw materials to the US War Department. World-war 11 brought additional funding to the area in the form of Military and Defense Industries. During November 1944 Walter Liberace arrived in Las Vegas and made his debut at the Hotel Last Frontier. This magnificent, flamboyant, spectacular entertainer first played his impeccable piano performances whilst clad in sequined capes. He was to continue to pack Las Vegas Show Rooms for the rest of his life until 1987. In 1945 at the end of World-war 11 Kirk Kerkorian, a dare devil pilot who had flown some 33 missions delivering aircraft for the RAF across the Atlantic Ocean arrived in Las Vegas. He became known as the father of the Mega-resort, building three hotels in Las Vegas that were the largest in the world in their time. He proved that contrary to the wisdom of the day, courting the convention and family travel markets could be profitable. |
By 1949 many new Hotels and Casino’s were built mostly along Las Vegas Blvd ( The Strip).
Tropicana, Dunes, Stardust and Riviera In 1951 Frank Sinatra first appeared at the Desert Inn on the Strip, bringing a new sense of style and sound track to Las Vegas. A magic combination that was to last for some 43 years. In 1952 Jack Entratter, who had cashed out of the New York Copacabana Club to become General Manager of the Sands Hotel, persuaded Sinatra to perform at the new Copa Room and the rest is History. By the 1960’s tourism had become the life blood of the Las Vegas community and yet even now another transitional period was about to begin. An act of the Nevada Legislature was to allow Publicly Traded Corporations to obtain gambling licenses and the sky became no limit. 1966 however, brought bad news and good news. The bad news was that mobsters were skimming Las Vegas casinos. The good news came when billionaire Howard Hughes arrived quietly in the city and began buying casinos and real estate. The eccentric billionaire, it was speculated, was on a mission. He would de-mob Las Vegas and make the city safe for legitimate business. Just by showing up Howard Hughes changed Las Vegas forever. If one of the richest men in the world, one of the nations largest defense contractors and a genuine national hero, was willing to invest in Las Vegas it must not be such a sordid evil place after all. Las Vegas July 26th 1969.“Return of the King. Elvis Presley.” After his first appearance at the New Frontier Hotel in 1956, manager, Col. Tom Parker, booked Elvis into Kirk Kerkorian’s International Hotel, for a VIP event. His show was magnificent and gave rave revue’s around the world. For Elvis, the transition was abrupt, dramatic and calculated. He was the first big name rock ‘n’ roller to regularly headline in a Las Vegas Showroom. Just in time too, for in the late 60’s and early 70’s Las Vegas was losing its grip on its claim of being the entertainment capital of the world. The big stars of the 40’s and 50’s were losing their luster, retired or dead and very few survivors--Frank Sinatra was the exception--had the drawing power to fill the entire town. In his new flashier incarnation, Elvis brought the national spotlight once again on Las Vegas and made it a safe place for rock ‘n’ rollers to recycle themselves. During the 1970’s and 80’s the city of Las Vegas would re-invent itself as the entertainment capital of the world. Gambling developed into “Gaming” and evolved as a legitimate business opportunity for corporate investment into the hotel/casino industry. Shows, Nightclubs and outdoor activities were offered to visitors of all ages from around the nation and around the world. Strong city institutions were expanded bringing into the city, Planners, Architects and Tradesmen of all crafts. Massive highways were constructed giving access to and from the city allowing established traders to move to the city on a permanent basis. High rise apartment blocks were built to house the thousands of workers needed to staff the hotel and casino resorts that were growing almost daily and with each apartment block came the establishment of thousands of new homes for the massive influx of people who now call Las Vegas home, so much so that in the closing decade of the 1990,s an unparalleled growth in the city shocked many throughout the world. For the International air passenger traveling to Las Vegas on the new jumbo jets, requiring longer runways at US International Airports, the trip could bring considerable delays, whilst changing to a smaller air carrier operating a shuttle service into the city. However Las Vegas is never far behind in International developments and with the new Runway and Terminal Building at Mc Caron Airport completed “Mc Caron International Airport” was ready to face the 21st Century. As the closing years drew on to the "Centennial Celebrations" for the city of Las Vegas, the rise and rise of one particular "Mega Boss" brought into prospect a new sense of direction for the future. Steve Wynn had traveled along the Las Vegas Blvd. since his early youth and throughout this period arose at every opportunity to present "Style and Elegance" to all those who were willing to pay the price. It was a major winning combination that set the standards for the beautiful city of Las Vegas today. Mega resort locations so distinct in style and facilities such as the Mirage, Treasure Island, and Bellagio, took up their position on the Las Vegas Strip. Finally in 2005, almost One Hundred Years to the day since Senator Clark's "land auction" came the magnificent "Wynn Resort".
On Thursday December 15th 2005 Las Vegas City Mayor Oscar B Goodman
Buried a time capsule |
joined others. These resort properties offered unmatched entertainment and accommodations.
to commemorate 100 years of Las Vegas. It is to be opened in 2105. 