Spanish traders en route to Los Angeles along the Spanish Trail seek a route that passes through the then unexplored Las Vegas Valley. The Spaniards refer to the trail through the valley as "jornada de muerte," journey of death. A young scout named Rafael Rivera is the first person of European ancestry to look upon the valley. His discovery of a valley with abundant wild grasses growing and a plentiful water supply reduces the journey by several days. The valley is named Las Vegas, Spanish for "The Meadows."

Brigham Young assigns 30 Mormon missionaries to build a fort in the Las Vegas valley. The fort constitutes the first non-Indian settlement in the region and is still located on the corner of Washington Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard. Their primary purpose is to teach the Paiute Indians farming techniques. The Paiutes reject the teachings and occasionally raid the fort.

Famed explorer Captain John Fremont writes about Las Vegas - bringing the valley to the attention of others besides the Spanish explorers and missionaries and the indigenous Indian population. The discovery of minerals, including precious metals and gems, leds to the beginning of the mining industry and the first influx of residents.

The completion of the main railway, linking Southern California with Salt Lake City, establishes Las Vegas as a railroad town. The availability of water makes Las Vegas an ideal refueling point and rest stop. The railroad is the principal industry in Las Vegas for the next 25 years. The State Land Act of 1885 offers sections of land at $1.25 per acre. Farmers move in and agriculture becomes the dominant industry for the next 20 years.

The State Land Act of 1885 offers sections of land at $1.25 per acre. Farmers move in and agriculture becomes the dominant industry for the next 20 years.

Las Vegas is founded as a city on May 15, 1905, when 110 acres of land situated between Stewart Avenue on the north, Garces Avenue to the south, Main Street to the west, and 5th Street (Las Vegas Boulevard) to the east, are auctioned off. Las Vegas becomes an incorporated city and adopts its first charter on March 16th. At the time of incorporation, the city encompasses 19.18 square miles, and has approximately 800 inhabitants, less than 1 percent of the states total population. Clark County has a population 3,321. The city became the county seat of Clark County in 1909 and was incorporated in 1911.

On March 19th, gambling is legalized in the State of Nevada. One month later, the city issues six gambling licenses. Divorce laws are also liberalized in the State, making residency easier to get. A "quickie" divorce can be had after 6 weeks of residency. These short-term residents stay at "dude ranches" which are the forerunners of the sprawling Strip hotels.

Beginning in 1931, the construction of Hoover Dam brings an influx of construction workers which starts a population boom and gives the Valley's economy, which was in the grips of the Great Depression, a needed boost.

By 1940, Las Vegas' population has grown to 8,422. The outbreak of World War II brings the defense industry to the valley. The isolated location, along with plentiful water and inexpensive energy, makes Las Vegas an ideal site for military and defense related industries. The site for Nellis Air Force Base is located in the northeast, and the Basic Management Complex, providers of raw materials, is located in the southeastern suburb of Henderson. The defense industry continues to employ a significant number of valley residents.

Following World War II, lavishly decorated resort hotels and gambling casinos offering top-name entertainment come into existence. Tourism and entertainment took over as the largest employer in the valley. In 1945, the Gaming Board is created.

In 1955, Moulin Rouge, Las Vegas' first racially integrated hotel, opens its doors. 2 years later, Topless Showgirls debut on the Strip with "Minsky's Follies."

1956 The city of Las Vegas annexes one square mile of land, its first such addition since incorporation 45 years earlier. 1959 "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign is created by Betty Willis.

Las Vegas encompasses 25 square miles and has a population of 64,405. Las Vegas has more than 22 percent of Nevada's total population on less than .02 percent of the State's land. At the same time, Clark County has a population of 127,016.

1960's During the 1960s, a phenomenon lead by Howard Hughes, occurs in Las Vegas. Corporations are building and/or buying hotel/casino properties. They have the capital necessary and the profitability makes entrance into the casino industry extremely attractive. Gambling becomes "gaming" and starts the transition into legitimate business.

In 1969, Elvis opens at the International Hotel, now known as the Las Vegas Hilton.

During the 1970s, Corporations continue to invest in the hotel/casino industry. Gaming becomes a legitimate business and some properties have stock traded on the market. Las Vegas economy remains strong and the population increases to 164,674. Clark County, meanwhile, grows to a population of 463,087.

1980's Starting in the mid 1980s, a period of unprecedented growth begins. Annual population increases averaging nearly 7 percent causes the city's population to almost double between 1985 and 1995, increasing from 186,380 to 368,360, a 97.6 percent increase. That is equivalent to building a city larger than Reno in 10 years! At the same time, Clark County's population increases from 562,280 to 1,036,180, an increase of 84.3 percent.

The Dunes Hotel implosion in 1993 followed the new trend in mega-hotels after Steve Wynn opened the first mega-resort hotel on the strip, the Mirage. In fact, he is accredited with single-handedly being the catalyst for the huge growth of Las Vegas in recent years. His unprecedented expansion included Treasure Island, the Golden Nugget, and Bellagio hotels, all recently sold to the MGM. His latest additional to the Las Vegas skyline is the impressive Steve Wynn Resorts that opened, after much anticipation, in April of 2005.

The US Census reports the population of Las Vegas is 478,434 over a land area of 113 square miles. There are over 500 churches and synagogues, 799 acres of parks, 7 television stations, and 12 radio stations (4 AM and 8FM). Las Vegas is the largest metropolitan city in the U.S. that was founded in 20th century. During that time, the city also boasted a 10% annual increase in jobs - an impressive performance.

Today, there is nothing quite like Las Vegas, the unchallenged "Gaming Capital of the World." The city is home to 11 of the world’s top 13 hotels, boasting more hotel rooms than any other city in America. From all indications, there is no end in sight to the current building boom with two major new casino properties opening for business in the next 2 years.

The Las Vegas area, however, is more than just casinos, huge hotels and the best shopping in the nation. Beyond the resorts lie a myriad of adventures and sights to partake in. To the Southeast are gigantic Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, an aquatic playground in the middle of the desert. To the North lies spectacular alpine scenery among the aspen draped slopes of Mt. Charleston for those who want an outstanding ski area. To the Northwest are magnificent Red Rock Canyon and the Spring Mountains, with their brilliantly covered mountains of sandstone. And only a couple of hours drive west is Death Valley and the epiphany that early pioneers crossed that arid expance at 10 mph!

Las Vegas 1952 .............................................. Las Vegas 2002

With the lowest cost of living in the nation and no state taxes, the success of Las Vegas has been the result of a unique and successful integration of the needs of government, business, and the community to create one of the most remarkable cities in the world. It will continue to be the leader in the innovative gaming experiment aimed at preserving a worldwide appeal while simultaneously maintaining a rich, satisfying and diverse adult and family-oriented life-style.

Las Vegas is today, a multi-cultural tourist destination enjoying unprecedented growth and expansion. In 1998, the population passed the 1 million mark and it is projected to reach 2 million by the year 2010 – a far cry from its early years when the valley was populated by only a few Mormon missionaries.

On 15th May 2005 the city celebrates its centennial, perfectly poised for spectacular growth in the next one hundred years.

VIVA LAS VEGAS!