Las Vegas History: a Timeline of a Railroad Town to Gambling Mecca
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Before Las Vegas was known for slot machines and neon lights, it was a small desert town without much going for it.
As recently as 1940, Las Vegas only had 8,000 residents. But after World War II, the city expanded rapidly.
Organized crime took advantage of the fact Nevada was the only state in America where casino gambling was legal. They made the city a destination, using celebrity acts, showgirls, and even nuclear testing observation parties to keep people visiting and spending money.
Later, with the help and funding of billionaire Howard Hughes, Las Vegas went straight, but its growth hardly slowed.
Here's how Las Vegas transformed — in a matter of decades — into one of the most iconic cities in the world.
