History Of Las Vegas

Hoover Dam actually was the creation of the Las Vegas we know today. When the dam was being built staring back in 1928, thousands of workers came to Nevada looking for work. In 1931, gambling was made legal once more. Fremont Street's gaming casinos attracted the workers from the Hoover Dam.

Bugsy Siegel, the man who is credited with developing Las Vegas actually just bought a few blocks of already developed properties. El Rancho Vegas Hotel was built in 1941 right across the street from where the Sahara is today. Throughout the 1940's, the El Rancho became a place where Hollywood stars came to relax. In 1947, the Flamingo opened with Dean Martin headlining several shows.

Hotel growth continued into the 1950's. The Riviera was the ninth hotel to open in 1957. Liberace was a headliner at most of the shows. In 1958, the Stardust opened and Wayne Newton got his start in Las Vegas.

In the 1960's, the Sands Hotel invited the Rat Pack to headline. Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford all came and stayed there while the group was in town filming Ocean's Eleven. In 1968, Circus Circus was opened to the Las Vegas visitors. This hotel boasted circus acts every hour right over the casino floors.

In the 1970's, a flood causing almost one million in damage. Gambling was also legalized in Atlantic City costing Las Vegas a lot of customers.

In 1989, Steve Wynn finally made people take notice of Las Vegas. The Mirage opened and Siegfried & Roy took over as headliners.

As the 1990's and 2000's come and go, even more luxurious hotels will be opening. The Luxor, Venetian, Mandelay Bay, and THE Hotel have even more to offer guests in shopping and gambling. Las Vegas, like its hotels, will keep on growing and making more money every year.