Paleo-Indians first visited the Las Vegas valley hundreds of years ago. They lived as nomads, traveling and camping in different locations. These people left behind petroglyphs that help us tell our early history.
 

10,000 Years Ago

2,000 Years Ago

Anasazi Indians move into southern Nevada and live along the Muddy and Virgin rivers. The “Lost City” are ruins of the Anasazi community that can be found in Overton, Nevada, northwest of Las Vegas. The Pauite people also explored the Las Vegas area.

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."
 

1829

1844

John C. Fremont arrived in Las Vegas and kept a journal describing two springs he found. These writings were very popular and lured many individuals to the area.

Members of the Mormon Church choose Las Vegas as the site to build a fort halfway between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, where they would travel to gather supplies. The remainder of the Mormon Fortcan still be seen at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue. The fort was abandoned several years later.
 

1855

1864

Nevada is admitted into the union as the 36th state. This day is recognized annually as a state holiday.

The discovery of minerals, including precious metals, leads to the beginning of the mining industry.

 

Late 1800's

1885

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.

Early 1900s

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.

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.
Freight Wagon on Fremont Street

1905

1909

The Nevada Legislature creates Clark County on July 1, 1909. The new county was named after William Clark, who brought the railroad to southern Nevada. Las Vegas became the county seat. Prior to the formation of Clark County, southern Nevada was part of Lincoln County.

Las Vegas is incorporated on March 16, 1911. The population stands at 800. Clark County has a population of 3,321.

Divorce laws are liberalized in the State of Nevada, making residency easier to attain. A "quickie" divorce can be attained after six weeks of residency. These short-term residents stay at "dude ranches" which are the forerunners of the sprawling Strip hotels.

 

1911

1930

Las Vegas grows to a population of 5,165.

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.

While gambling took place illegally for many years, it was officially legalized in March 1931 by the state legislature.

 

1931

1935

Hoover Dam is complete. At 726 feet high and more than 1,200 feet long when built, it was the tallest dam in the world. President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke at the dam’s dedication.

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.

In 1944, the city of Las Vegas begins to operate council / manager form of government. Previous to this date, the city was operated as a “commission” form of government.

1940's

1945

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.

The first atomic bomb is detonated at the Nevada Test Site north of Las Vegas. People flocked to watch the tests until the limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963 required that nuclear tests be moved underground.
 

1951

Moulin Rouge, Las Vegas' first racially integrated hotel, opens its doors

 

1955

1956

The city of Las Vegas annexes one square mile of land, its first such addition since incorporation 45 years earlier.

Topless Showgirls debut on the Strip with "Minsky's Follies."
 

1957

1959

"Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign is created by Betty Willis.

The Nevada State Legislature creates the Nevada Gaming Commission.

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

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.

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

1969

1970-1980

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

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.
 

1993

The Dunes Hotel is imploded.

Contributing to the population growth is a 4 percent annual increase in hotel rooms and a 9.18 percent annual increase in jobs

 

1990's

1995

The Fremont Street Experience opens. The $70-million canopy above Fremont Street provides visitors with spectacular light and sound show.

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.

The Las Vegas City Council grows from four wards to six. A vote of the people in 1999 approved an advisory ballot question allowing this change.

2000

2005

The city of Las Vegas celebrated its 100th birthday on May 15, 2005. The events celebrated the May 15, 1905 auction in which 110 acres of downtown Las Vegas laid the foundation for the city we know today. The celebration began on December 31, 2004, and lasted throughout 2005.

For more information, visit the Centennial Web site .


 

The Las Vegas Springs Preserve , a cultural and historical experience just miles from downtown Las Vegas opens to the public. The 180-acre national historic site is commonly referred to as the "birthplace of Las Vegas."
 

June 2007