Las Vegas is well known for its contemporary cultural atmosphere and the unique casino giant city that it is. And while millions of people flock to the resorts every year for the gambling and incredible shows that take place on a nightly basis, the history of this incredible town can be just as interesting as what is taking place onstage. And surprisingly, much of the area was originally settled by Mormons who had traveled from Salt Lake City. Much of the city’s early history is overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of the contemporary society, though many of the stories are fascinating as well as informative and worth looking into if you plan to visit, or simply enjoy history.

In the mid 1800s the Mormon settlers were arriving from Utah to protect the Salt Lake-Los Angeles mail route. By 1855 they had begun construction on an adobe building that was about 150 square feet of sun dried clay bricks and grass. Around the fort they planted vegetables, fruit and mined for lead for bullets though they left the settlement by 1858 in large part due to Indian raids. A large portion of this early fort remains and was re-discovered during an archeological dig in 1992. Today the sight stands as an historical landmark.

The Las Vegas hotels are great places to acquire information on this and other interesting historic attractions in the city, in addition to the prime headliner show venues and gambling establishments in the city. This brings up another interesting aspect of the city’s history, its gaming industry. Nevada was the first state in the nation to legalize casino style gambling and the last to make it illegal, which occurred in October of 1910. However, underground games soon popped up and gambling activities occurred in the city until it was officially legalized again during the Great Depression. Part of the argument for legalization was the necessary tax money it would bring it for schools and other social services. The Hoover Dam Project soon began, which brought an additional population of over 5,000 to the city, and this was the beginning of Las Vegas being a national fascination and popular tourist destination.

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