Las Vegas: A Centennial History (Wilber S. Shepperson Series in Nevada History)

The meteoric rise of Las Vegas from Mormon outpost to international entertainment center. Since Las Vegas was founded on May 15, 1905, when the Union Pacific auctioned off land around its new railroad shops, the city has grown from a ramshackle village to a sprawling metropolitan area of well over a million people. Las Vegas: A Centennial History offers a detailed and deeply knowledgeable account of the growth of this unique city, the impact of politics and of wars, and the city’s struggle to establish diversified economy. The authors’ scope extends chronologically from the first Paiute people who settled around the artesian springs that gave the city its name, right up to the construction of the latest megaresort, and geographically far beyond the original township to include the several municipalities that make up the metropolitan Las Vegas area. Las Vegas: A Centennial History celebrates the city’s unparalleled growth in the brief century of its existence. It also offers fresh insight into the process of city building in the American West, where urban needs and aspirations must contend with water scarcity, isolation, erratic economies, highly diverse populations, and the rocky relationship between the need for civic order and the Western spirit of independence. Its story will engage residents and visitors alike, as well as all readers interested in the history and workings of an American city. The Meteoric Rise of Las Vegas from a remote Mormon outpost to an international entertainment center with a sprawling metropolitan area of well over a million people was never a sure thing. In its first decades, the town languished, but when Nevada legalized casino gambling in 1931, Las Vegas met its destiny. This act-combined with the growing popularity of the automobile, cheap land and electricity, and changing national attitudes toward gambling-led to the fantastical casinos and opulent resorts that became the trademark industry of the city and created the ambiance that has made Las Vegas an icon of pleasure.

Las Vegas: A Centennial History celebrates the city's unparalleled growth in the brief century of its existence, examining both the development of its gaming industry and the creation of an urban complex that over a million people proudly call home. Here are the colorful characters who shaped the city as well as the political, business, and civic decisions that influenced its growth. The story extends chronologically from the first Paiute people right up to the construction of the latest megaresort, and geographically far beyond the original township to include the several municipalities that make up today's vast metropolitan Las Vegas area. It also offers fresh insight into the process of city building in the American West, where urban needs and aspirations must contend with water scarcity, isolation, erratic economies, highly diverse populations, and the rocky relationship between the need for civic order and the Western spirit of independence.

The meteoric rise of Las Vegas from a remote Mormon outpost to an international entertainment center was never a sure thing. In its first decades, the town languished, but when Nevada legalized casino gambling in 1931, Las Vegas met its destiny. This act—combined with the growing popularity of the automobile, cheap land and electricity, and changing national attitudes toward gambling—led to the fantastic casinos and opulent resorts that became the trademark industry of the city and created the ambiance that has made Las Vegas an icon of pleasure. This volume celebrates the city’s unparalleled growth, examining both the development of its gaming industry and the creation of an urban complex that over two million people proudly call home. Here are the colorful characters who shaped the city as well as the political, business, and civic decisions that influenced its growth. The story extends chronologically from the first Paiute people to the construction of the latest megaresorts, and geographically far beyond the original township to include the several municipalities that make up today’s vast metropolitan Las Vegas area. "Las Vegas: A Centennial History celebrates the city's unparalleled growth in the brief century of its existence, examining both the development of its gaming industry and the creation of an urban complex that over a million people proudly call home. Here are the colorful characters who shaped the city, as well as the political, business, and civic decisions that influenced its growth. The story extends chronologically from the first Paiute people who settled around the artesian springs that gave the city its name right up to the construction of the latest megaresort, and geographically far beyond the original township to include the several municipalities that make up today's vast metropolitian Las Vegas area. It also offers fresh insight into the process of city building in the American West, where urban needs and aspirations must contend with water scarcity, isolation, erratic economies, highly diverse populations, and the rocky relationship between the need for civic order and the Western spirit of independence."--Jacket Before the city Birth of a railroad town, 1902-1910 A new city takes shape, 1911-1920 Setting the tone, 1920s The dam era : railroad town into tourist town World war and its aftermath : gambling becomes king City and strip : laying a metropolitan foundation Growth and community conflict, 1960s Gaming and world recognition Suburbanization and diversity, 1970-2005. This is an account of the growth of Las Vegas, the impact of politics and war, and the struggle to establish a diverse economy. Aspects of city building, creation of infrastructure and transportation, the struggle to obtain a reliable source of water, and the function of cultural, educational and religious institutions are all given consideration.