Thanks to the Hoover Dam and mob money Las Vegas grew as fast as any city in history. historyofthings
By whatever name, Las Vegas, Sin City, Glitter Gulch, the city of second chances boasts a history unlike any other city in America. From Native American settlements to a haven for organized crime, the beginnings of Las Vegas read like a fairytale for the rich, famous, and dangerous.
Ironically, one of the country’s most famous infrastructures, the Hoover Dam, also played a large role in the development of the country’s most debaucherous municipalities. Throw in Frank Sinatra, a who’s who of crime lords, and the “quickie divorce” law and you’ve got the makings of a trillion-dollar town to be. Here’s the hilariously depraved history of Las Vegas.
The original block of "sin city."
An Expanse Of Nothing
The driest state in the Union did not see much development for the hundreds of years leading up to the 1930s. Native Americans, the Spanish, and even the Mormons made small inroads into the area but struggled to develop the land, thanks to the arid climate.
Eventually, the transcontinental railroad put down some roots and an incorporated Las Vegas sprung up around the iron arteries of the country. Amusingly, at the outset, they attempted to ban gambling and prostitution but thanks to the hard-living workforce, the seedy parts of society made themselves at home.
The original mob casino: the Flamingo. casino.org
Hoover Dam
What really got the ball rolling toward the glitz and glamor that we know today was the creation of the Hoover Dam. The huge undertaking brought such an extensive workforce that another town was built just to house all that manpower.
Of course, after working their difficult and dangerous jobs, the labor pool needed to blow off some steam. Conveniently, the city decided to reverse its decision regarding gambling and prostitution. Immediately, casinos and showgirl venues appeared like magic around Fremont Street.
After the success of the Flamingo a litany of mobsters made their move to Las Vegas.
Sin City
The name Sin City is believed to have started around the two original blocks of Fremont Street where booze, betting, and working girls could all be found in abundant supply. By 1941, the word was out. One particular mobster, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, envisioned a hideaway from pesky police.
Backed by fellow mobsters, Charles “Lucky” Luciano and Meyer Lansky, they established the Flamingo, dubbed "The West's Greatest Resort Hotel." Unfortunately, for Siegel, he was gunned down at his girlfriend’s home just six months into helming the venture.
Some historians believe he met his end, thanks to his sticky fingers regarding the project. Despite the murder of Siegel, business was booming and quickly other mafioso got in on the act with the sort of lavish hotels we know today.
Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, pictured center, one of the first mobsters to see the potential of Las Vegas. (getty)
Mob Management
It might seem crazy but lovers of Las Vegas actually owe much to the mobsters that helped build the city. As state archivist Guy Rocha believes, “We owe a debt of gratitude to the Mafia for developing Las Vegas, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. It was the mob that moved (Las Vegas) forward, with the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
Without the mob, such explosive growth would have never been possible. Michael Green, a Nevada history professor, agrees, “You might say it was a perfect storm in a good way for Las Vegas. There were people running casinos who weren’t in the mob but didn’t have the money to expand, and there were people in the mob who had the money but didn’t know how to run a casino.”
Unfortunately, for "Bugsy," he didn't get to enjoy the fruits of his lucrative idea for long.
A Who’s Who Of Criminals & Celebrities
Fueled by waves of mobster money, Las Vegas spread like wildfire. By the 1950s the Sands, Dunes, Riviera, New Frontier, and Stardust all established “The Strip.” From Frank Costello to Jimmy Hoffa, these notable men and those working with them poured their considerable wealth into the desert sanctuary.
Using their deep pockets, they invited top echelon talent like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Elvis to perform. Soon half of Hollywood made the trip out to enjoy the weather, the acts, and naturally, the gambling. Nevada also offered what was called a quickie divorce. That allowed the rich and unhappily married to apply for a divorce after just six weeks in Vegas.
From tiny railroad town to bustling hub of gambling and vice, all that thanks to the mob. lasvegas4newbies
Atomic Testing
Perhaps nothing can exemplify the appeal of Las Vegas more than the lack of concern over the testing of atom bombs. From the 1950s to the early 1990s, 928 nuclear tests occurred just 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas and nobody batted an eyelash. In fact, some postcards proudly proclaimed the city as the “Up and Atom City.”
For roughly 30 years, Vegas functioned as a second home for stars and criminal heavyweights to imbibe and thrive. However, for the criminal underworld, the good times weren’t meant to last.
You don't want to give the mob credit but without them Las Vegas might look very different today.
The Beginning Of The End
By the late 1960s government squares had caught on to the gambit and looked to shut it down. As David Schwartz, director of UNLV’s Gaming Research Center said, “Bobby Kennedy believed gambling was the lifeblood of organized crime, so to throttle organized crime he wanted to go after the casinos.” They attempted wire tapes and hoped to organize massive raids by deputizing state gaming agents. Unfortunately, for the government, “people were more afraid of the mob bosses than they were of the Justice Department,” according to Schwartz.
In the end, it was big bucks and not bureaucracy that brought an end to the mobster way of life in Las Vegas. Howard Hughes dropped more than $300 million on the Desert Inn and other casinos. Along with other corporations, he pushed out the mob. Still, the ethos of those early mafiosos lives on in the City of Sin.
