How did the desert city of Las Vegas evolve into a gambler’s mecca?

Have you ever wondered why this desert city bears the name “Las Vegas”? And how Las Vegas evolved over the years into the iconic, glitzy and glamorous vacation destination we know today?

A city that hardly needs an introduction

Las Vegas is located in the district “Clark County”, in the Mojave Desert in the American state of Nevada. The Mojave Desert is named after the Mojave Indians and is located in the southwest of the U.S. This desert includes large parts of Southern California, southern Nevada and smaller parts in Utah, Arizona and central California.

As a tourist you can discover a vibrant nightlife with spectacular shows, trendy restaurants and of course the presence of numerous casinos. Las Vegas has become world famous for offering entertainment in stylish, luxurious interiors.

The city that never sleeps and is immersed in breathtaking neon lights make the contrast very big with the surrounding desert. It is impressive to see how this gem in the desert has been transformed into the ultimate holiday resort.

How it all started

Did you know that “Las Vegas” is Spanish for “The meadows?” Although the city was not officially founded until 1905 thanks to the connection to the railway network, this area was actually known to Spanish explorers for much longer. They gave it the name “Las Vegas” because of the grasslands and water sources in the middle of the desert. It was initially just a small area where travelers stopped during their journey through the arid landscape.

But with the development of the railways it soon attracted travellers, among them also people who dreamed of a new future. The first shops and hotels were soon established. In 1911 “Las Vegas” was officially recognized as a city and also got a city government.

How did the first casinos emerge in Las Vegas?

Let us first look back to October 24, 1929, the date that would become better known as “Black Thursday” and “The stock market crash of 1929.” These events had major consequences because after them followed “The Great Depression” that dominated the 1930s. The world was experiencing an unprecedented economic crisis at the time. It was a period of unemployment, uncertainty and misery.

The first foundations for the world city we know today were laid in this dark period, because no matter how disastrous it looked at the time, people were looking for ways to breathe new life into the economy. The state of Nevada saw the legalization of gambling as a way to stimulate the economy. In 1931, this was legalized. This decision would also create a lot employment. This gave the small desert town the opportunity to grow.

The construction of the Hoover Dam (also called Boulder Dam) also played a crucial role in the expansion of Las Vegas at the time. This dam is named after Herbert Hoover. He experienced the stock market crash and “The Great Depression” up close as he was president from 1929 to1933. He first served as minister of economic affairs in the 1920s and proposed this dam as the solution to get periodic flooding under control. This dam would also become self-sufficient with income that would be generated from the sale of electricity that would be generated from the water.

This large project attracted thousands of workers who sought relaxation after their hours and they visited the first bars, casinos and hotels. In the 1930s, the first entertainment shows were also a fact, consisting of musical performances or Vaudeville theater. Thanks to the construction of highways, more and more travelers passed through Las Vegas.

During “The Great Depression”, the world also needed ways to escape the daily grind and experience moments of pleasure. Thus, in the 1930s, the foundation was laid for Las Vegas, the entertainment city par excellence.

Nowadays, everyone knows the famous Las Vegas Strip. The first casino at this iconic location opened in 1941, El Rancho Vegas. Businessman Thomas Hull combined a hotel, restaurant and casino with accompanying entertainment. The concept for luxury resorts was born.

What sets Las Vegas apart from other gambling cities?

Of course, names like Macau, Atlantic City and Monte Carlo will also sound familiar, but none of them have built up such a mythical reputation as Las Vegas.

Focusing on a broad entertainment spectrum in which the casino sector is an important segment, this city reflects an oasis of luxury and adventure where the billboards and impressive lighting have become synonymous with living an unforgettable experience.

Source of inspiration for the film industry

And perhaps you have seen Las Vegas as a location many times during film scenes? 

You may be familiar with the movie “3000 Miles To Graceland” (2001)? Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner and Courteney Cox play the leading roles and Las Vegas is an important setting at the beginning of the movie. A robbery is planned at a casino during an Elvis Presley meeting. Dressed as Elvis impersonators, they decided to strike.

The following films also featured Las Vegas:

• Honeymoon in Vegas (1992) starring Nicolas Cage en Sarah Jessica Parker
• Casino (1995) starring Robert De Niro en Sharon Stone
• Leaving Las Vegas (1995) starring Nicolas Cage
• Ocean’s Eleven (2001) starring George Clooney en Brad Pitt
• The Hangover (2009) starring Bradley Cooper

And of course many more. The visualization of this legendary location contributes to the creation of a world full of magic that you can also experience in reality.