Situated in a barren desert landscape, Las Vegas exists for one reason-water. Popular as a waystation for travelers, the Las Vegas Valley attracted the attention of railroad visionaries at the end of the 19th century. After purchasing land from a local widow, the developers laid out a town in 1905. Vegas hasn't slowed down since.

Building on one opportunity after another, the citizens of that railroad town refused to entertain the notion that they could fail. Buoyed by the building of Boulder Dam (now Hoover Dam) during the Great Depression, Vegas played a major role in World War II. But the war years also put Las Vegas on the radar of organized crime as a wide-open town ripe for casinos that hid extensive money-laundering operations.

Now a place for both families and high rollers, Las Vegas has no mercy when it comes to re-invention. In Sin City, the old constantly makes way for the new-and there's always something new on the horizon.

This captivating guide tells the story of Las Vegas from prehistory to the empire building of developers. In these pages, you'll read about local legends and gain insight into the heart of a city created for practical reasons but built on outrageous whimsy and the guts to carve its own way to greatness.

In this book, you will learn about the following:

• The prehistory of a valley once filled with marshy land and flowing rivers.
• The role pioneers, including Mormon missionaries, played in the development of the town.
• The adventures and influence of founding citizens like Charles "Pop" Squires and Helen J. Stewart.
• The significant role of Boulder Dam in insulating Vegas from the effects of the Great Depression.
• The effect of World War II in diversifying its population.
• The arrival of organized crime and the mob's role in inventing the modern casino industry.
• The part reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes played in driving the criminals out of town.
• The significance of Mormon money and political influence in reshaping the rules for casino ownership.
• The effect of atomic testing on the tourist industry.
• The advent of the megaresort.
• The tragedies that scarred the town.
• The entertainers who made Vegas their own.
• And so much more!

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