City of Las Vegas

When you mention the City of Las Vegas, many people think of the Strip, casinos, “Sin City,” show girls, neon lights, mobsters and many other distinctive traits that have been tied to the city for decades. What many don’t think about is the rich history that dates back to 1829 when the first European settler discovered the wild grassy meadows and an abundance of water. It wasn’t until May 15th, 1905 that the City of Las Vegas was actually established with the arrival of the railroad. In the 76 years in between, Mormon Church members set up fort, the mining industry took off with the discovery of precious metals and minerals, and writings by John C. Fremont describing plentiful spring waters in the region attracted many travelers.

 

A few years later, in 1911, divorce laws are relaxed in the state and short-term residences or “dude-ranches” are set up drawing individuals looking for a quick relationship fix. When the Hoover Dam construction began in early 1931 there was an influx of construction workers boosting the cities population and economy. It was also that same year that gambling was legalized, although it had been taking place underground for many years. The city continued to grow with the onset of World War II and the founding of Nellis Air Force Base. When the war ended, people flocked to Las Vegas to see top name performers and glitzy show-girls at resort hotels and gambling casinos. It was at this time that tourism and entertainment took over as the largest employer in the valley. For the next several decades, big corporations bought, sold and invested in casinos and the gaming industry prompting a steady and continual increase in both population and jobs.

 

Today, Las Vegas continues to expand and build and focus energy on the industry that has kept the local economy going for so many years. Outside of all the glitz and glam, there is a vibrant community and real down-home neighborhoods where parents are proud to raise their children. Las Vegas is known for being a big city but has a little city feel where many families and business owners have established themselves and known each other for years. The casinos and tourism industry is only one part of what Las Vegas has to offer.

 

More Information on the City of Las Vegas

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