Gaming / Helldorado

Historical marker location:
Las Vegas, Nevada
( Marker can be reached from Fremont Street.)
Marker installed: 2005

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Las Vegas is home to the world's largest observation wheel: The High Roller, a giant observation wheel located on the Las Vegas Strip, is the largest of its kind in the world.
Clark County, Nevada is located in the southernmost part of the state and has a rich and fascinating history. The area that is now Clark County was first inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Paiute people, who established settlements along the Colorado River.

In the mid-19th century, Mormon pioneers settled in the Las Vegas Valley, establishing a fort and bringing irrigation techniques that transformed the desert landscape. However, their presence was short-lived, and by the 1880s, the area was mostly abandoned once mining activity diminished.

The history of Clark County took a significant turn in 1905 when the railroad arrived in the area, linking it with the rest of the country. This development led to the establishment of Las Vegas as a bustling railroad town, attracting people from various backgrounds and sparking rapid growth in the region.

The next major milestone in Clark County's history came in 1931 when the state of Nevada legalized gambling. This decision forever altered the county's landscape, as casinos and entertainment venues began to flourish. The construction of the Hoover Dam, also in the 1930s, provided employment opportunities and further boosted the economy of Clark County.

Over the following decades, Clark County continued to see exponential growth, driven largely by the tourism and entertainment industries. Las Vegas, in particular, became known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, with its world-class resorts, casinos, and vibrant nightlife attracting millions of visitors annually. Today, Clark County remains a major tourism destination and a dynamic hub of culture, entertainment, and economic activity in the southwestern United States.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Clark County, Nevada.

  • 1909 - Clark County is established in Nevada.
  • 1931 - Construction of the Hoover Dam begins, bringing an economic boom to the area.
  • 1941 - The El Rancho Vegas, the first hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip, opens.
  • 1955 - The Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino becomes the first racially integrated casino in Las Vegas.
  • 1967 - The International Hotel (now the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino) opens, becoming the largest hotel in the world at the time.
  • 1989 - The Mirage Casino-Hotel opens, starting the era of themed resort development in Las Vegas.
  • 1990 - The population of Clark County surpasses one million residents.
  • 2005 - The Las Vegas Monorail begins operation, providing public transportation along the Las Vegas Strip.
  • 2010 - The population of Clark County exceeds two million residents.