America: A History Podcast
Who Put the Fabulous in Las Vegas?
Listen on
Episode notes
This week, we celebrate the 120th birthday of the most fabulous city in the world. Since its humble beginnings as a stopover for railroad workers, it has grown into the entertainment capital of the world.
See a show, gamble, get married, and eat the best food in the biggest hotels, then wake up and do it all over again!
Sin City got its name for a reason, but in this episode I want to find out… who put the fabulous in Las Vegas?
...
Special guest for this episode:
- Michael Green, a professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is the author of Nevada: A History of the Silver State and co-author of Las Vegas: A Centennial History
...
Highlights from this episode:
- Las Vegas started as a humble stopover for railroad workers and evolved into a vibrant entertainment hub.
- The history of Las Vegas is rich with cultural influences, including its early Mormon settlers and the impact of the railroad.
- The legalization of gambling and marriage in the early 1930s sparked a tourism boom that shaped modern Las Vegas.
- Las Vegas has transitioned from a gambling-centric city to a diverse destination for food, entertainment, and sports.
- The mob played a crucial role in developing the Strip, leading to today's lavish hotel-casinos we see now.
- As Vegas continues to grow, its infrastructure and water supply face challenges that could impact future development.
...
Additional Resources:
Nevada: A History of the Silver State by Michael Green
Las Vegas: A Centennial History by Eugene P. Moehring and Michael Green
...
Mentioned in this episode:
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Neon Museum
- Mob Museum
- Atomic Testing Museum
- Golden Gate
- Hotel Nevada
- Flamingo
- MGM Resorts
- Steve Wynn
- Caesars Palace
- Sheldon Adelson
- Circus Circus
- Excalibur
- Luxor
- Mandalay Bay
...
And if you like this episode, you might also love:
When Did the 50 States Become the 50 States
...
Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and some smarter folk. Making it does come at a small cost so if you'd like to help:
- Individuals - support the show with a one-off or monthly donation: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/support
- Universities & Colleges - become an academic partner or email [email protected] for more info
Your support helps us keep the show running, and it is highly appreciated!
Are you a University, college, or higher education institution? Become an academic partner and your name will appear right here.