A Photo Walk Through Sin City - Las Vegas

Las Vegas was founded in 1905, after the opening of a railroad that linked Salt Lake City with Los Angeles. Urbanization took off with the construction of the Hoover Dam and the influx of young males working on the dam. The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino opened in 1906, and other casinos and theaters were built mostly by the organized crime utilizing the power generated from the dam. The first official casino on the Las Vegas Strip, El Rancho Vegas, opened its doors in 1941 but it was not until 1946, and the construction of the Flamingo hotel that casinos / hotel construction really took off. Eccentric American financier Howard Hughes got involved with Las Vegas real estate in the 1960’s. The Rat Pack and Liberace are also closely associated with the early days of Las Vegas, helping to cement its reputation as the entertainment capital of the world. Casinos have been a part of Las Vegas since the city’s earliest days.

This is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

Sahara Hotel has historic photos decorating the walls

New York, New York resembles the New York City skyline of the 1940’s.

Excalibur Hotel and Casino features a medieval castle and is named after King Arthur’s mythical Excalibur sword.

The Luxor Las Vegas features an Egyptian theme in a 30-story pyramid with casino and 4,407 rooms. The tip of the pyramid features a light beam which is said to be the most powerful man-made light in the world.

Do you like the images posted?
Click here to explore the shop.

The Money and the Power: The Making of Las Vegas and Its Hold on America

By Denton, Sally, Morris, Roger

Vegas and the Mob

By Al W. Moe

Fodor's Las Vegas (Full-color Travel Guide)

By Fodor's Travel Guides

Looking up at the tip in the open-air area of The Luxor.

Outdoor art at The Arias

The 550-foot tall High Roller Observation Wheel opened in 2014

There is all kinds of food all around

There are about 1,200 fountains that are involved in the famous Bellagio Fountain Show.

The 1930’s brought gambling and quickie divorces

At 1,149 feet, the Strat Tower is the tallest observation tower in the U.S.

At The Fremont Street Experience

.

.

The neon Carosel Bar sign outside the Plaza Hotel

The 1940’s saw weddings take off and the military arrive

Cowboy Vegas Vic neon sign which was erected in 1951 outside The Pioneer Club which is now a souvenir shop.

The Bellagio opened its doors in 1998 on the site of the old Dunes Hotel and Casino.

The Conservatory Garden at The Bellagio decorated for the Lunar New Year

.

The 1950’s ushered in atomic bomb testing and the opening of the city’s most famous hotels opening.

The art of Richard MacDonald inspired by Cirque du Soleil in the “O” Theatre lobby.

.

.

Paris Las Vegas is based on both turn-of-the-century and modern motifs of the City of Lights including a 540-foot Eiffel Tower.

.

.

.

.

The 1960’s saw the beginning of themed decor in hotels. Elvis ruled the 1970’s. And the decline in the glamour occurred during the 1980’s.

Inside The Wynn, the most expensive resort built in 2005. It was built on the site of the former Desert Inn, which opened its doors in 1950.

.

The gardens inside the Wynn

.

.

.

The Mirage first opened in 1989

The 360-foot tall Sphere venue at the Venetian is the world’s largest spherical structure which opened in 2023.

The Venetian opened in 1999 on the site of the old Sands Hotel and Casino and was built to resemble Venice, Italy.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

One of the biggest changes to Las Vegas has been the introduction of more of a family-friendly attractions.

.

Benjamin ‘Bugsy’ Siegal’s car is buried under The Flamingo after his murder in 1947. The American mobster was the driving force behind the development of the Las Vegas Strip along with Frank Costello and Lucky Luciano.

This is the salvage sign from the Sahara which is one of the signs in the Neon Museum, a unique and colorful look at Las Vegas history.

A few of the 250+ signs at the Neon Museum

With its millions of lights, Las Vegas is considered the brightest spot on Earth.

What you should know:

• The town is walkable, and it is a great way to get around.

• There are many restaurant options.

For more information: