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Packed with casinos, hotels, and shows. The city of Las Vegas has become throughout its years of history the entertainment capital par excellence. Although there are several cities around the world that fight hard to snatch the title, the casino paradise remains immovable in the minds of all those who have had the opportunity to visit it. Besides, thanks to movies or television, have been part of the incredible stories and events that are born in it.
And you, have you visited it, or do you plan to do so? In this article, we tell you about the origin of one of the most striking places in the world so that you can learn all about the always fabulous Las Vegas.
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Who Founded the City of Las Vegas?
To learn about its history, nothing better than to start at the beginning. For that, we go back more than 10,000 years ago when the nomadic Paleo-Indian populations settled in the Las Vegas area. Then it was the Anasazi and Paiute tribes. Who, some 2,000 years ago, arrived in the Mojave area, the desert surrounding the city.
As early as 1829, Mexican explorer Rafael Rivera found the valley. Becoming the first non-Native American to set foot on the plain where today's Las Vegas casinos are in Nevada.
A fortnight later, the American explorer, military, and politician John C. Frémont oversaw putting Las Vegas on the map. The distribution of 20,000 copies of the map he created automatically made it an important stop on the road to the West. Fremont Street, the pedestrian street of great tourist attraction in downtown Las Vegas was named in his honor.
In 1900 the springs were canalized, stopping all trains traveling between California and New Mexico to refuel, and 5 years later, Las Vegas was founded. A city after the auction of 100 acres adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, achieving full incorporation as a city in 1911.
Why is Las Vegas named Las Vegas?
Young Rafael Rivera was part of an expedition of 60 people going from the old Spanish Trail trade route to the city of Los Angeles in California. Led by Spanish-born trader and explorer Antonio Armijo, and while they were camping on Christmas Day, Rivera took the opportunity to venture into this unexplored valley. Accomplishing his feat and discovering a vast prairie with precious resources and endless possibilities.
The discovery allowed the road between the Spanish Trail and Los Angeles to be shortened and Armijo, impressed by the abundance of water in the spring and the wild vegetation found, decided that the meadow discovered in the middle of the desert would be called Las Vegas. Whose literal meaning in Spanish is a low, flat, and fertile land.
What Was the First Casino Hotel in Las Vegas?
The definitive backing of Las Vegas came in 1931 with the legalization of gambling and casinos. This fact meant a huge boost and worldwide fame for the city. Its transformation based on large constructions for the time prevented it from being plunged into an economic disaster during the Great Depression.
The Rancho Vegas was the first complex to form part of the so-called hotels with casinos in the city. Opening its doors to the public on April 3, 1941. Conceived by Thomas Hull, it consecrated this hotel entrepreneur as a true visionary. Since, at first, the location of the establishment on Highway 91 was highly questioned. Who had to retract their opinions when it was demonstrated that Hull's idea of getting the visits of travelers moving by car from Los Angeles to Las Vegas was a resounding success. With 65 initial rooms, it was the beginning of construction on what is now known as the Strip.
Perhaps the most famous Las Vegas casino of this period was the Flamingo. Which opened in 1946 and dubbed from the first moment of its birth as the most luxurious hotel in the world. It was built on the west side of Route 91 by Billy Wilkerson. Founder of The Hollywood Reporter and its construction process was plagued with potholes.
Its 105 rooms and the spectacular casino it houses have witnessed numerous film productions. Being the scene of the first version of the movie Ocean's Eleven in 1960. Or the acclaimed Viva Las Vegas, starring Elvis Presley in 1964.
How Many Casinos Are There in Las Vegas?
According to the latest data available, there are 144 casinos in Las Vegas. 61 of which are located on the Las Vegas Strip. 17 on the North Strip, 24 in Downtown, and 42 on the Boulder Strip.
Gambling venues in the entertainment capital number more than 1,700. While slot machines are counted at more than 175,000. Hotel rooms at almost 125,000, and churches, which have hosted famous and incredible weddings, at more than 500.