INTRODUCTION

Spanish traders en route to Los Angeles in the early 1700’s along the Spanish Trail seek a route that passes through the then unexplored Las Vegas Valley. The Spaniards refer to the route through the valley as "jornada de muerte," journey of death. A young scout named Rafael Rivera is the first person of European ancestry to look upon the valley. His discovery of a valley with abundant wild grasses growing and a plentiful water supply reduces the journey by several days. The valley is named Las Vegas, Spanish for "The Meadows."

The completion of the main railway in the late 1800’s, linking Southern California with Salt Lake City, establishes Las Vegas as a railroad town. The availability of water makes Las Vegas an ideal refueling point and rest stop. The railroad is the principal industry in Las Vegas for the next 25 years.

On March 19th 1911, gambling is legalized in the State of Nevada. One month later, the city issues six gambling licenses.

During the 1960s, a phenomenon lead by Howard Hughes, occurs in Las Vegas. Corporations are building and/or buying hotel/casino properties. They have the capital necessary and the profitability makes entrance into the casino industry extremely attractive. Gambling becomes "gaming" and starts the transition into legitimate business

The city of Las Vegas celebrated its 100th birthday on May 15, 2005. The events celebrates the May 15, 1905 auction in which100 acres of downtown Las Vegas laid the foundation for the city we know today.

FACTS

The first hotel and casino to open in Las Vegas was the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino in 1906.
The Hoover Dam was completed in 1935. It took a total of 21,000 men five years to complete the structure.
In 1957, topless showgirls debuted on the Las Vegas Strip in “Minsky’s Follies” at the Dunes.
The famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign was created in 1959 by Betty Willis.
More than 22,000 conventions were held in Las Vegas in 2004.
In 2004, visitors stayed an average of 3.6 nights.
More than 5,000 people move into the Las Vegas valley on a monthly basis.
The famous Las Vegas strip is for the most part, not within the city limits of Las Vegas. The majority of the strip is located within Clark County.
The Stratopshere Hotel and Tower, at more than 1,100 feet, is the tallest building west of the Mississippi and the fifth tallest building in the United States.
A marriage license costs $55 in Nevada. Many couples choose to marry in Nevada because there is no blood test or waiting period.
Currently some 450.000 people live in Las Vegas, whilst on average almost 40 million people visit each year.

Sources: Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Clark County School District.

NEXT CHAPTERS
TO GET IN VEGAS
TO GET AROUND
HOTELS
CASINO'S
NIGHTLIFE/CLUBS
SHOWS