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A Brief History of Las Vegas aka Sin CityTalk to anyone about Las Vegas and the immediate gut reaction you are most likely to receive is either
one of dreamy enthusiasm about a city where anything goes, or it is a somewhat thinly veiled disgust at
the perceived looseness of Sin City. Yet did you know that before Las Vegas became a hot property in the
Nevada desert it was little more than a small town that saw its fair share of tumbleweeds blowing
through? Even after the legalization of gambling it did not become a hot commodity.
As a matter of fact, what put Las Vegas on the map was the 1936 completion of the Hoover Dam, which is
an outstanding monument to construction skill and know how even for todays standards. Not only does the
structure help
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people involved with the planning and building of the dam gave it a certain aura of mystique that has
caused many visitors to come just to see the monument that exacted such a high cost in human life.
Yet it was not until the 1941 that famous mobster Bugsy Siegel saw the potential of Las Vegas as a
gambling town. He is responsible with the building of the famed and notorious Flamingo Casino, which
was completed in 1946. The project was marred from the beginning by Siegels inexperience, driving up
construction costs to well over $6 million. Surprisingly, the venture was a complete flop, and Siegel
was murdered by his mob buddies in response.
Gambling was still legal and sought after, but back at the old address of Fremont Street. While the
beginnings of the famous Las Vegas Strip were less than promising, the idea was never quite put to rest.
Yet it would take until 1968 for another developer to not only see the potential of the Strip but to
actually act on it. Kirk Kerkorian is undeniably tied to not only Las Vegas history as the inventor of
what could be considered the luxurious gambling resort, but also to American tourism for his vision of
turning humble Las Vegas into a gambling Mecca that not only caters to the gambling clientele, but to
the whims of a large variety of travelers.
At first Mr. Kerkorian purchased a piece of property across the street from the Flamingo where he built
Caesars Palace. After selling the property in 1968, he not only built what today is known as the Las
Vegas Hilton, but he also purchased the Flamingo. From then on, Mr. Kerkorian proceeded to shape Las
Vegas looks and future by creating the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, which then went on to create a
snowball effect on the Vegas Strip with the creation and improvement of several of the largest
properties.
Today Las Vegas has taken its rightful place in the annals of history as being the most sought after
vacation destination for those who enjoy a quick roll of the dice, fantastic food choices, and also
themed resorts. While Las Vegas for a while attempted to front a family friendly image, Sin City has
long since conceded that it is indeed a playground for adults, and not for children. While there are
babysitting services available for those who insist on bringing their kids, not a lot of development
dollars are being spent on facilitating entertainment options for children. Nonetheless, the city has a
regular draw and many visitors bring repeat business to the casinos and hotels. Thus, the gambling
industry is not the only aspect of Nevadas economy that is being enriched. As a matter of fact,
transportation, hospitality, and even retail have experienced a huge upswing in the wake of eager
tourists spending their vacation dollars in Vegas.
Five Must Sees when in Las Vegas
While in Las Vegas, there is so much to see and do that there is a good chance that you will not be able to see and do it all on your vacation. However, there are some hot spots in Las Vegas that you will not want to miss. Here are some of the...
Youll Always Have Paris in Las Vegas
France is not the only place that is home to a famous Paris; Las Vegas, Nevada also has a famous Paris, the Paris Hotel and Casino. Paris Las Vegas is located on the Vegas Strip and is owned and operated by Harrahs Entertainment. The hotels...
Relocating to Vegas A Few Statistics to Keep You Informed
Las Vegas has one of the hottest real estate markets in the United States. For a while California threatened to steal its thunder, but with home prices on a slight decline in Los Angeles and other California areas, Las Vegas is once again the...
Quench your Thirst with These Hot Places to Grab a Drink
Part of the fun of Las Vegas is that it is one never-ending party. Besides the other adult entertainments such as gambling and dancing, there is always plenty of alcohol flowing. If you are gambling, you might find that you drinks are free as...
Mandalay Bay in Vegas A Class Act
Las Vegas is full of beautiful hotels and resorts, and Mandalay Bay is among the most recognizable and most beautiful sites in the city. Mandalay Bay is seen as one of the most elegant and exciting spots on the Vegas Strip. It sits at the south...
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