Download or read book Las Vegas Then and Now People and Places written by Karl Mondon and published by Rizzoli Publications. This book was released on 2018-01-01 with total page 402 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Las Vegas Then and Now is a pictorial nostalgia-fest for those who remember the city as it was 40, 30 or even 20 years ago. There has been constant change in Vegas ever since the wartime expansion of local industry led to a boom in visitors to what had previously been an out-of-the-way railroad halt.Fortunes have been won and lost in the gambling capital of America, not just in the one-armed bandits or on the roulette wheels, but in the development of brand new casinos where the stakes are billions.Using archive photos and vintage color postcards, and photographing the same site today, Las Vegas Then and Now People and Places charts the rise and demise of the classic casinos on the strip; El Rancho Vegas, the Desert Inn, the Stardust, New Frontier, the Sands, Showboat and the Dunes. It looks at the gambling halls enclosed on Fremont Street, the flying-saucer-shaped Convention Center, the famous failures such as the Moulin Rouge and Howard Hughes’ futuristic Landmark Hotel together with the enduring successes such as the El Cortez and the Little Chapel of the West.Also includes: The Riviera, Caesar’s Palace, Tropicana, Circus Circus, The Mint, Flamingo, Aladdin, Imperial City, Sahara, Hacienda, Westward Ho! Castaways, Lady Luck, Boardwalk, Elvis-a-rama and the Star Trek Museum.

Download or read book Las Vegas Then and Now written by Su Kim Chung and published by HarperCollins UK. This book was released on 2022-11-24 with total page 520 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Las Vegas Then and Now pairs vintage shots from 100 years of the city's history with the same view today.

Download or read book Historic Photos of Las Vegas written by and published by Turner Publishing Company. This book was released on 2007-11-01 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Las Vegas—a Spanish word meaning "The Meadows" or "The Grasslands"—was established as a railroad town in 1905 and was officially incorporated in 1911. It is the largest city in the United States founded in the 20th century and goes by the two different nicknames of "The Entertainment Capital of the World" and "Sin City". Las Vegas continues to evolve: the city legalized gambling in 1936, Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo Hotel opened in 1946 starting the now infamous Las Vegas Strip, and Steve Wynn opened The Mirage in 1989 starting a new era with the megaresort casinos. This book follows life, government, events and people important to Las Vegas history and the building of this unique city. Spanning over two centuries and two hundred photographs, this is a must have for any long-time resident or history lover of Las Vegas!

Download or read book A Short History of Las Vegas written by Barbara Land and published by University of Nevada Press. This book was released on 2004-03-01 with total page 546 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today’s Las Vegas welcomes 35 million visitors a year and reigns as the world’s premier gaming mecca. But it is much more than a gambling paradise. In A Short History of Las Vegas, Barbara and Myrick Land reveal a fascinating history beyond the mobsters, casinos, and showgirls. The authors present a complete story, beginning with southern Nevada’s indigenous peoples and the earliest explorers to the first pioneers to settle in the area; from the importance of the railroad and the construction of Hoover Dam to the arrival of the Mob after World War II; from the first isolated resorts to appear in the dusty desert to the upscale, extravagant theme resorts of today. Las Vegas—and its history—is full of surprises. The second edition of this lively history includes details of the latest developments and describes the growing anticipation surrounding the Las Vegas centennial celebration in 2005. New chapters focus on the recent implosions of famous old structures and the construction of glamorous new developments, headline-making mergers and multibillion-dollar deals involving famous Strip properties, and a concluding look at what life is like for the nearly two million residents who call Las Vegas home.

Download or read book Las Vegas USA Travel Guide Viva Las Vegas Splendor Glamour and Gambling Travel tips eBook Nevada written by Baktash Vafaei and published by StateGuides. This book was released on with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Las Vegas, the dazzling oasis in the Nevada desert, is globally renowned for its radiant splendor, exclusive entertainment, and the constant pulse of life. Often referred to as the "adult playground," the city has transformed from a humble railroad station in the mid-19th century into one of the world's most visited tourist attractions. The history of Las Vegas is marked by glamour, glitz, and, of course, gambling. The origin of Las Vegas can be traced back to the mid-19th century when the city was a modest trading post. The pivotal turning point came in 1931 when the state of Nevada legalized gambling, ushering in an era of growth and innovation. The first casinos, such as El Rancho Vegas, opened their doors, laying the foundation for the famous Las Vegas Strip. The Strip, a 6.8-kilometer stretch, is the epicenter of gambling and entertainment. Casinos along the Strip compete not only for the favor of players but also for the most innovative gaming concepts and breathtaking shows. From the iconic lights of Luxor to the replica of the Eiffel Tower outside the Paris Las Vegas Hotel, the Strip is a stunning backdrop of neon lights, massive LED screens, and captivating architecture. Yet, Las Vegas is more than just glitz and glamour. The city has its own soul, shaped by a fascinating blend of cultures and people. The residents, affectionately called "Las Vegans," contribute to making the city not only a place of pleasure but also a community. The magic of Las Vegas also lies in the diversity of its visitors. People from all corners of the world flock to the city to experience the unparalleled feeling of freedom, fun, and adventure. The casinos are a melting pot of cultures, a place where people of different backgrounds and lifestyles come together to succumb to the thrill of gambling. A captivating aspect of Las Vegas is its ability to constantly reinvent itself. The city, once known for its classic casinos, has evolved into a place where innovation and creativity flow. The introduction of themed hotels, breathtaking shows, and extravagant events has turned Las Vegas into a perpetually changing phenomenon. However, amidst all the glitter and glamour, it's crucial to emphasize that Las Vegas is not solely defined by gambling. The city offers a rich cultural scene, from top-notch museums and galleries to renowned restaurants serving international cuisine. Las Vegas has become a destination that caters to every taste and interest. Viva Las Vegas – not just a song title but also the guiding principle of this fascinating city. It translates to "Live Las Vegas" and embodies the vibrant energy that makes the city so unique. Las Vegas is more than a collection of casinos; it is a lively, breathing metropolis in the desert that embodies the dreams and desires of millions of people from around the world.

Download or read book The Peoples Of Las Vegas written by Jerry L Simich and published by University of Nevada Press. This book was released on 2005-03-07 with total page 346 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Beneath the glitzy surface of the resorts and the seemingly cookie-cutter suburban sprawl of Las Vegas lies a vibrant and diverse ethnic life. People of varied origins make up the population of nearly two million and yet, until now, little mention of the city has been made in studies and discussion of ethnicity or immigration. The Peoples of Las Vegas: One City, Many Faces fills this void by presenting the work of seventeen scholars of history, political science, sociology, anthropology, law, urban studies, cultural studies, literature, social work, and ethnic studies to provide profiles of thirteen of the city’s many ethnic groups. The book’s introduction and opening chapters explore the historical and demographic context of these groups, as well as analyze the economic and social conditions that make Las Vegas so attractive to recent immigrants. Each group is the subject of the subsequent chapters, outlining migration motivations and processes, economic pursuits, cultural institutions and means of transmitting culture, involvement in the broader community, ties to homelands, and recent demographic trends.

Download or read book What Really Happens in Vegas written by James Patterson and published by Little, Brown. This book was released on 2023-12-04 with total page 251 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas—until now. James Patterson shows the real Vegas in a dazzling journey through true stories of excess, drama, and hope. “Lively tales of those who labor and dream in Sin City…the entertainment value is high.”―Kirkus Las Vegas is on Luxury Standard Time: every clock in the airport is a Rolex. No dream is too big, no wish is too small—the VIP hosts in Vegas fulfill guests’ every (legal) desire. Jackpots hit when least expected. The Nevada Gaming Control Board has days to find a man who unknowingly won over $200,000 at the slots. “I love love”: the inventor of the Elvis impersonator wedding and the drive-thru wedding has performed hundreds of marriages—and believes in them all. Glamorous yogis take a helicopter across the desert to the Valley of Fire, where they perform sun salutations to the glory of Las Vegas. A gambling VIP “whale” loses $1 million at the casinos, yet still leaves saying, "Had a great time. I'll be back." In What Really Happens in Vegas, full of surprises for both newcomers and Las Vegas regulars, James Patterson and Vanity Fair contributing editor Mark Seal transport readers from the thrill of adrenaline-fueled vice to the glitter of A-list celebrity and entertainment.

Download or read book Bright Light City written by Larry Gragg and published by University Press of Kansas. This book was released on 2013-04-04 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When Elvis crooned "Bright light city . . . gonna set my soul on fire," he voiced and embraced the siren call of a glittering urban utopia that continues to mesmerize millions. Call it Sin City or Lost Wages, Las Vegas definitely deserves its rapturous "Viva!" Larry Gragg, however, invites readers to view Las Vegas in an entirely new way. While countless other authors have focused on its history or gaming industry or entertainment ties, Gragg considers how popular culture has depicted the city and its powerful allure over its first century. Drawing on hundreds of films, television programs, novels, and articles, Gragg identifies changing trends in the city's portraits. Until the 1940s, boosters promoted it as the "last frontier town," a place where prospectors and cowboys enjoyed liquor, women, and wide-open gambling. Then in the early 1950s commentators increasingly characterized Las Vegas as a sophisticated resort city in the desert, and ever since then journalists, filmmakers, and novelists have depicted a city largely built by organized crime and featuring non-stop entertainment, gambling, luxury, and, of course, beautiful-and available-women. In Gragg's narrative, these images form a kaleidoscope of lights, sounds, characters, and ultimately amazement about this neon oasis. In these pages, readers will meet gangsters like Bugsy Siegel, Tony Spilotro, and Lefty Rosenthal, as well as Las Vegas's most popular entertainers: Elvis Presley, Sinatra's Rat Pack, Liberace, and Wayne Newton, not to mention the Folies Bergere showgirls. And Gragg's skillful interweaving of fictional and journalistic accounts of organized crime shows just how mutually reinforcing they have become over the years. Vegas will always make people's eyes light up as bright as the Strip, witness the new TV show Vegas or the recent film The Hangover. For everyone entranced by its glitter and glamour, Bright Light City is a must read boasting color photos and bursting with insider details: an eclectic blend of stories, people, sights, and sounds that together make up this desert city's extraordinary appeal.

Download or read book The Strip written by Stefan Al and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2017-03-03 with total page 267 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The transformations of the Strip—from the fake Wild West to neon signs twenty stories high to “starchitecture”—and how they mirror America itself. The Las Vegas Strip has impersonated the Wild West, with saloon doors and wagon wheels; it has decked itself out in midcentury modern sleekness. It has illuminated itself with twenty-story-high neon signs, then junked them. After that came Disney-like theme parks featuring castles and pirates, followed by replicas of Venetian canals, New York skyscrapers, and the Eiffel Tower. (It might be noted that forty-two million people visited Las Vegas in 2015—ten million more than visited the real Paris.) More recently, the Strip decided to get classy, with casinos designed by famous architects and zillion-dollar collections of art. Las Vegas became the “implosion capital of the world” as developers, driven by competition, got rid of the old to make way for the new—offering a non-metaphorical definition of “creative destruction.” In The Strip, Stefan Al examines the many transformations of the Las Vegas Strip, arguing that they mirror transformations in America itself. The Strip is not, as popularly supposed, a display of architectural freaks but representative of architectural trends and a record of social, cultural, and economic change. Al tells two parallel stories. He describes the feverish competition of Las Vegas developers to build the snazziest, most tourist-grabbing casinos and resorts—with a cast of characters including the mobster Bugsy Siegel, the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, and the would-be political kingmaker Sheldon Adelson. And he views the Strip in a larger social context, showing that it has not only reflected trends but also magnified them and sometimes even initiated them. Generously illustrated with stunning color images throughout, The Strip traces the many metamorphoses of a city that offers a vivid projection of the American dream.

Download or read book Las Vegas Then and Now Revised Fifth Edition Then and Now written by Su Kim Chung and published by Then and Now. This book was released on 2022-11-22 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Las Vegas Then and Now pairs vintage shots from 100 years of the city's history with the same view today. 'Las Vegas Then and Now' captures the city's evolution from a desert railroad outpost into the gambling and entertainment capital of the world. Pairing historical photographs of the town with specially commissioned views of the same scene today, this book provides the reader with an intriguing look into the history of a city that has become a cultural icon. Historic Fremont Street, which has recently undergone a multi-million dollar renewal programme, presents the most vivid contrast between the dusty desert town of the 1920s and the pulsating entertainment city we know today. Las Vegas is ever changing - the popular Mermaids and Vegas Vicky on Fremont are gone, but further down the Strip, the High-Roller has arrived, one of the world's tallest observation wheels befitting this thrill-seeking town. Casinos on the Strip have changed too. The Sahara closed in 2011, re-opened as SLS which also closed, and has now re-opened as The Sahara! Experienced 'Then and Now' photographer Karl Mondon takes to the skies of Vegas to get some inspiring comparison shots, while author Su Kim Chung once again points out the changes to a city she has written about for the last twenty years. 'Las Vegas Then and Now' truly captures the buzz of a city where the only constant is change. Sites include: Allegiant Stadium, Circa, Arts District, Fremont Street, Railroad Depot, Union Pacific Station, Arizona Club, Golden Nugget, El Portal Theatre, Nevada Hotel, Sal Sagev Hotel, El Cortez, Vegas Vic, The Mint Hotel, Las Vegas Post Office/Mob Museum, El Rancho Vegas, Last Frontier, New Frontier, Little Church of the West, Flamingo, Thunderbird Hotel, Desert Inn, Sahara Hotel, Sands Hotel, Stardust, Riviera, La Concha Motel, Dunes Hotel, Caesars Palace, Hacienda, Tropicana, MGM Grand, Aladdin, Boardwalk, International, Landmark Hotel, Las Vegas Convention Center, Moulin Rouge and much more.

Download or read book It Happened in Las Vegas written by Paul W. Papa and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2009-10-01 with total page 169 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A fascinating collection of thirty compelling stories about events that shaped Sin City, It Happened in Las Vegas describes everything from a nineteenth-century land deal that almost created two competing cities to the torrential rainstorm that flooded downtown Vegas with three inches of water.

Download or read book More Peoples of Las Vegas written by Jerry L Simich and published by University of Nevada Press. This book was released on 2010-03-15 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The remarkable economic growth of Las Vegas between 1980 and 2007 created a population boom and a major increase in the ethnic and religious diversity of the city. Today, over 21 percent of the city’s population is foreign born, and over 30 percent speak a language other than English at home. The local court system offers interpreters in 82 languages, and in 2005/2006, for example, more than 11,000 people, originating from 138 countries, were naturalized there as American citizens.More Peoples of Las Vegas extends the survey of this city’s cosmopolitan population begun in The Peoples of Las Vegas (University of Nevada Press, 2005). As in the previous book, this volume includes well-established groups like the Irish and Germans, and recently arrived groups like the Ethiopians and Guatemalans. Essays describe the history of each group in Las Vegas and the roles they play in the life and economy of the city. The essays also explore the influence of modern telecommunications and accessible air travel, showing how these factors allow newcomers to create transnational identities and maintain ties with families and culture back home. They also examine the role of local institutions—including clubs, religious organizations, shops, restaurants, and newspapers and other media—in helping immigrants maintain their ethnic and religious identities and in disseminating national and even regional cultures of origin.More Peoples of Las Vegas adds to our awareness of the rich and varied ethnic and religious character of Las Vegans. In a broader context, it offers thoughtful perspectives on the impact of globalization on a major American city and on the realities of immigrant life in the twenty-first century.

Download or read book Florida Then and Now written by David Watts and published by Rizzoli Publications. This book was released on 2013-12-01 with total page 402 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A dazzling collection of rare and previously unpublished photographs takes readers to the heart of the Sunshine StateHundreds of fascinating archive images have been paired with present-day photographs to reveal how Florida has changed and evolved. From its sunny beaches and orange growing to its flamingos and amusement parks, this book highlights the landmarks, sights, and people that make the state unique. Sites include Tallahassee, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Amelia Island, South Beach, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Sarasota, St. Augustine, Everglades National Park, Lake Eola, Tinker Field, Hialeah Race Course, Daytona International Speedway, University of Florida, Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot, Universal Studios Orlando, and Kennedy Space Center.

Download or read book Children of Las Vegas written by Timothy O'Grady and published by Unbound Publishing. This book was released on 2016-06-16 with total page 122 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over forty million people a year travel to Vegas, more than to Mecca. It is a global celebrity, an improbable oasis, a place offering bank-breaking fortunes and instant gratification, 24/7, with no moral debits. Award-winning writer Timothy O’Grady lived in Vegas for two years. He finally began to understand it when he talked to people who had grown up there, the children of the card dealers and cocktail shakers, the jugglers and the dancers – young people who had been bearing witness to this strange city all their lives. One had her student loans and credit card limits stolen by her father. Another fled a sequence of exploiters until she found herself living in the storm drains under the casinos. There is the boy whose father entered him into a drinking contest when he was eight, the casino owner’s son, the erudite contortionist turned stripper. Each tells their own tale. In Children of Las Vegas, O’Grady renews his partnership with renowned photographer Steve Pyke. Through short essays, Pyke’s portraits and ten witness testimonies, he pierces the city’s glittering façade to reveal the darker reality that lies beneath.

Download or read book Sun Sin Suburbia written by Geoff Schumacher and published by University of Nevada Press. This book was released on 2015-09-01 with total page 470 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: More than forty million visitors per year travel to Sin City to visit the gambling mecca of the world. But gambling is only one part of the city’s story. In this carefully documented history, Geoff Schumacher tracks the rise of Las Vegas, including its vital role during World War II; the rise of the Strip in the 1950s; the explosive growth of the 1990s; and the colossal collapse triggered by the real estate bust and economic crisis of the mid-2000s. Schumacher surveys the history of the iconic casinos, debunking myths and highlighting key players such as Howard Hughes, Kirk Kerkorian, and Steve Wynn. Schumacher’s history also profiles the Las Vegas where more than two million people live. He explores the neighborhoods sprawling beyond the Strip’s neon gleam and uncovers a diverse community offering much more than table games, lounge acts, and organized crime. Schumacher discusses contemporary Las Vegas, charting its course from the nation’s fastest-growing metropolis to one of the Great Recession’s most battered victims. Sun, Sin & Suburbia will appeal to tourists looking to understand more than the glitz and glitter of Las Vegas and to newcomers who want to learn about their new hometown. It will also be an essential addition to any longtime Nevadan’s library of local history. First published in 2012 by Stephens Press, this paperback edition is now available from the University of Nevada Press.

Download or read book Tales of Old Las Vegas written by Sam O'Connor and published by AuthorHouse. This book was released on 2009 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Las Vegas in 1960 was a gas, according to Frank Sinatra. Even the visitor knew something deliciously sinister was not only constantly lurking in Las Vegas' dark underbelly, but some nefarious deed could be taking place at that very moment. Tales of Old Las Vegas describes some of the mystery and excitement the town held for visitor and native alike. Some of the characters are famous people you may have heard of. Others are the little known but colorful people of the streets of Las Vegas who enjoyed the good life in their own way. The Las Vegas atmosphere in the 50s and 60s was particularly heady and magical. It was the era of the Rat Pack and Ocean's Eleven. Dean Martin was dealing "21" at the Sands for fun and driving the pit bosses crazy. Frank Sinatra was getting into fist fights with hotel managers and driving his dentist crazy. Those were the days when $5 for the show room captain could get you a seat close to the stage for almost any show, except Frank and Dean's show. A $500 bill couldn't buy a seat at those performances. Those who lived in the city were smug in the knowledge that it was an insider's playground, a familiar turf that was fun to know and move around in. Tales of Old Las Vegas brings us into the lives of the adventurers who lived in that magical era. It shows how they were affected by a free rolling city and the violent people who made and enforced the rules. .

Download or read book Planet Vegas written by Rick Browne and published by Collins. This book was released on 1995 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Planet Vegas is the most spectacular and comprehensive photographic celebration of Las Vegas ever undertaken. In more than 200 stunning color photographs, from twenty of the world's leading photojournalists, Planet Vegas captures the beauty, grandeur, and complexity of this glorious fantasy land of neon lights, free-flowing cash, and unrivaled showmanship. Once known as "Sin City" for its casinos and bawdy stage shows, Las Vegas has transformed itself again and again to become the grandest and most audacious capital of family entertainment the world has ever known. But Las Vegas is no longer just America's premiere showplace, it is also the country's fastest growing city and home to the hundreds of thousands of ordinary people who make the city run and give it its spirit. Planet Vegas takes us deep into both of these worlds in dozens of stunning images, showcasing the rich and varied sights and sensations that could only be found there: the giant sphinx poised outside the pyramid-shaped Luxor hotel and casino, Siegfried and Roy at home on their ranch surrounded by royal white tigers and a pure white lion, a glimpse behind-the-scenes of the world's largest buffet, the stark, natural beauty of Red Rock Canyon, Elvis Presley look-alikes by the bushel, the majesty of the luminescent fountains outside Caesars Palace, the heavily guarded casino counting rooms, through which millions of dollars in cash and chips pass each day, and the Stratosphere Tower, the tallest free-standing building west of the Mississippi. Planet Vegas also shows us scenes from the Las Vegas most visitors never see - images of the people who grow up, get married, go to work, have babies, and live just like everyone else.