Las Vegas is one city that has grown to become a household name. Although it sits situated in the middle of vast desert land it continues to flourish. Once people see Las Vegas and all it has to offer it’s hard for them to imagine a time when all of that area was nothing but desert land and wild life. However, there was a time when Las Vegas wasn’t even a thought, let alone a place people from all around the world would travel to. Many people travel from miles around to Las Vegas on a regular basis. Others will save up for the trip and consider it the vacation of a lifetime. No matter who comes to Las Vegas, there is a certain rush they feel as they approach all of the lights the strip has to offer.
At one time Las Vegas had plentiful rivers and vegetation. Although the area that would one day become Las Vegas was surrounded by desert, it still managed to be discovered and turn into something almost magical. It would take some doing for this area to be discovered since traveling through the desert made getting there quite a task. The unforgiving elements served as a challenge, but soon enough this gorgeous area would be found and become something great. Years ago it would have been difficult to look at the area and even imagine what it would soon become.
The first travelers known to visit the area were the Paleo Indians. It is noted that this was about 10,000 years ago they were Nomads and Petroglyphs serve as proof that they had been there. Not only does it prove their existence in the area, but they also give us some idea of how they lived. About 8,000 years later the Anasazi Indians found their way to the rivers which were situated Northwest of Las Vegas. Slowly but surely Las Vegas was becoming known and serving as a refuge for desert travelers.
In 1829, a party of 60 traveled the Spanish Trail trying to make their way to Los Angeles when they found themselves around 100 miles Northeast of Las Vegas. It is noted that this happened on Christmas day. A young man named Raphael Rivera found himself separated from the scout party he had been a part of which were out to find water, he found himself at the Vegas Springs. As far as we know, this would be the very first time a non Native American would walk on this land. The finding of the Las Vegas Springs and the shortening of the trail also helped the Gold Rush.
14 years after Rivera stumbled on the springs, John Fremont and his expedition party camped in Las Vegas and he noted his findings in his journal. It would later be this journal that would draw more attention to Las Vegas. There are many places in Las Vegas today which are named after John Fremont. Perhaps one of the most notable of these places would be Fremont Street. Little had he known that his journal would help lead to such an amazing occurrence as the building of Las Vegas as we know it today.
Mormon settlers appeared in Las Vegas in the year 1855 and started developing a fort made from sun baked bricks. The Mormons also planted vegetation such as vegetables and fruit trees. However, they left the area in 1858 due to raids by the Native Americans. This fort can still be found in Las Vegas and many tourists like the idea of seeing a piece of history from so long ago and with such an interesting story to tell. The area where the fort was built has since become the site of archaeological digs. Today, ten percent of the Las Vegas population is Mormon.
One big leap in the creation of Las Vegas took place with the arrival of the railroad. Las Vegas would be considered a great place for the railroad to offer a stop facility. This led to a city forming which consisted of such establishments as saloons and boarding houses. All of this led to the founding of Las Vegas which occurred in 1905 on the 15th of May. The railroad served as a huge contribution to what Las Vegas would one day become.
Las Vegas grew to have a population of more than 8,000 residents by the 40’s. There was a casino built which had become a popular casino for patrons to visit. This casino was known as the El Rancho Vegas Casino and it led to more casinos being established. The Flamingo opened its doors in 1946 and was built by “Bugsy” a notable mobster who would be killed the same year the Hotel and Casino opened its doors. Topless girls debuted on the strip in the 50’s and the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign was designed.
Las Vegas continued to grow and more Hotel and Casinos were built. The city soon became known as the place to go for trips, gambling, fine dining, shows, and an all around great time. Today, the strip can be seen from miles away thanks to the bright light show which is created by the hotels and casinos situated on the strip. This amazing city has become one of the most talked about cities in the world.
