A|DT Brief|NNP History|NN Early|RB Habitation|NNP The|DT inhabited|VBN history|NN of|IN the|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP Valley|NNP stretches|VBZ to|TO 23,000|CD b.c.|NN ,|, when|WRB much|JJ of|IN the|DT area|NN was|VBD covered|VBN by|IN a|DT prehistoric|JJ lake|NN .|. 
During|IN this|DT period|NN ,|, the|DT indigenous|JJ people|NNS lived|VBD in|IN caves|NNS ,|, hunting|VBG the|DT mammals|NNS that|WDT gathered|VBD at|IN the|DT shoreline|NN .|. 
The|DT landscape|NN of|IN the|DT valley|NN changed|VBN dramatically|RB over|IN the|DT next|JJ 200|CD centuries|NNS .|. 
The|DT glaciers|NNS feeding|VBG the|DT lake|NN melted|JJ away|RB and|CC the|DT lake|NN evaporated|VBD .|. 
Fossils|NNP tell|VB an|DT obscure|JJ story|NN of|IN man|NN ’|NN s|VBZ slow|JJ and|CC sporadic|JJ development|NN .|. 

Around|IN 3000|CD b.c.|NN ,|, native|JJ Archaic|NNP Indians|NNPS began|VBD to|TO develop|VB a|DT lasting|JJ hunting|NN and|CC gathering|NN culture|NN .|. 
By|IN this|DT time|NN ,|, the|DT valley|NN was|VBD in|IN much|RB the|DT same|JJ geographic|JJ state|NN as|IN it|PRP exists|VBZ in|IN today|NN ,|, with|IN one|CD exception|NN —|NN the|DT presence|NN of|IN artesian|NN springs|VBZ that|IN bubbled|JJ to|TO the|DT surface|NN in|IN several|JJ areas|NNS .|. 
These|DT springs|VBZ fed|VBN a|DT network|NN of|IN streams|NNS draining|VBG through|IN the|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP Wash|NNP to|TO the|DT Colorado|NNP River|NNP .|. 
The|DT areas|NNS surrounding|VBG the|DT springs|VBZ were|VBD desert|NN oases|NNS :|: sprawling|VBG collections|NNS of|IN grasses|NNS ,|, trees|NNS ,|, and|CC wildlife|NN .|. 
Many|JJ springs|VBZ lay|VB in|IN areas|NNS that|WDT would|MD eventually|RB become|VB the|DT center|NN of|IN the|DT modern|JJ Las|NNP Vegas|NNP metropolis|NNS .|. 

For|IN about|IN 4000|CD years|NNS ,|, the|DT Archaics|NNP thrived|VBD in|IN a|DT culture|NN that|WDT included|VBD many|JJ signs|NNS of|IN early|JJ civilization|NN .|. 
Signs|NNS of|IN even|RB more|JJR advancement|NN appeared|VBD halfway|RB through|IN the|DT first|JJ millennium|NN a.d.|NN ,|, when|WRB the|DT Anasazi|NNP Indians|NNPS inhabited|VBN the|DT valley|NN .|. 
Far|NNP more|RBR progressive|JJ than|IN the|DT Archaics|NNP ,|, the|DT Anasazi|NNP utilized|JJ such|JJ formal|JJ agricultural|JJ techniques|NNS as|IN irrigation|NN to|TO assist|VB their|PRP$ harvest|NN .|. 
This|DT permitted|VBD the|DT Anasazi|NNP to|TO achieve|VB a|DT benchmark|NN of|IN advanced|JJ society|NN —|NN the|DT ability|NN to|TO live|VB in|IN permanent|JJ shelters|NNS year|NN -|- round|JJ without|IN need|VBP to|TO follow|VB wildlife|NN .|. 
Mysteriously|NNP ,|, the|DT Anasazi|NNP vanished|VBD from|IN the|DT valley|NN around|IN a.d.|NN 1150|CD ,|, leaving|VBG it|PRP to|TO be|VB repopulated|JJ by|IN the|DT Southern|NNP Paiutes|NNP ,|, another|DT hunter|NN -|- gatherer|NN tribe|NN .|. 

Unable|JJ to|TO replicate|VB the|DT agricultural|JJ techniques|NNS of|IN the|DT Anasazi|NNP ,|, the|DT Paiutes|NNP were|VBD destined|VBN to|TO a|DT semi-nomadic|JJ lifestyle|NN until|IN European|JJ settlers|NNS arrived|VBD ,|, changing|VBG the|DT nature|NN of|IN existence|NN in|IN the|DT valley|NN forever|RB .|. 

From|IN Mailmen|NNP to|TO Mormons|NNP In|IN the|DT early|JJ nineteenth|NN century|NN ,|, America|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ western|JJ territories|NNS were|VBD still|RB largely|RB unexplored|JJ .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD not|RB until|IN 1829|CD that|IN Rafael|NNP Rivera|NNP ,|, a|DT Mexican|JJ scout|NN ,|, found|VBD a|DT spring|NN -|- fed|VBN valley|NN and|CC dubbed|VBD it|PRP Las|NNP Vegas|NNP —|NN a|DT Spanish|JJ name|NN that|WDT leaves|VBZ many|JJ modern|JJ visitors|NNS wondering|VBG exactly|RB where|WRB “|NN the|DT meadows|NNS ”|NN really|RB lay|VB .|. 

For|IN fifteen|NN years|NNS ,|, Las|NNP Vegas|NNP was|VBD used|VBN as|IN a|DT Spanish|NNP Trail|NNP way|NN -|- station|NN .|. 
In|IN 1844|CD ,|, American|JJ explorer|NN John|NNP C.|NN Fremont|NNP parked|VBD his|PRP$ horses|NNS at|IN Big|NNP Springs|NNP ,|, and|CC his|PRP$ report|NN to|TO the|DT government|NN resulted|VBD in|IN a|DT mail|NN route|NN leading|VBG past|JJ the|DT spot|NN on|IN its|PRP$ way|NN to|TO California|NNP .|. 
This|DT put|NN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP on|IN the|DT map|NN and|CC was|VBD one|CD of|IN the|DT crucial|JJ turning|NN points|NNS of|IN its|PRP$ history|NN .|. 

In|IN 1855|CD ,|, Mormon|NNP leader|NN Brigham|NNP Young|NNP responded|VBD to|TO promising|JJ reports|NNS of|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP by|IN sending|VBG 30|CD missionary|JJ settlers|NNS to|TO the|DT valley|NN ;|: they|PRP eventually|RB built|VBD a|DT fort|NN not|RB far|RB from|IN today|NN ’|NN s|VBZ Downtown|NN .|. 
Surrounded|VBN by|IN acres|NNS of|IN farmland|NN hewn|VBN from|IN the|DT hard|JJ desert|NN ,|, the|DT adobe|NN fort|NN became|VBD a|DT focal|JJ point|NN for|IN the|DT development|NN of|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP for|IN the|DT next|JJ fifty|NN years|NNS .|. 
The|DT missionaries|NNS struggled|VBD valiantly|RB against|IN the|DT dictates|VBZ of|IN the|DT desert|NN ,|, trying|VBG simultaneously|RB to|TO survive|VB the|DT harshness|NN of|IN their|PRP$ circumstances|NNS and|CC spread|VB the|DT Mormon|NNP faith|NN .|. 
Additional|JJ pressures|NNS from|IN arriving|VBG miners|NNS pushed|VBD the|DT missionaries|NNS ’|NN plight|NN beyond|IN recovery|NN .|. 
Their|PRP$ supplies|NNS scarce|JJ ,|, their|PRP$ harvest|NN meager|JJ ,|, and|CC their|PRP$ spirit|NN broken|VBN ,|, they|PRP abandoned|VBD the|DT fort|NN in|IN 1858|CD .|. 

Despite|IN the|DT fact|NN that|IN the|DT local|JJ land|NN was|VBD rich|JJ in|IN silver|NN ,|, by|IN 1865|CD most|JJS of|IN the|DT mining|NN traffic|NN through|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP was|VBD of|IN prospectors|NNS headed|VBN to|TO California|NNP or|CC Northern|NNP Nevada|NNP in|IN search|NN of|IN gold|NN .|. 
One|CD opportunist|NN who|WP stayed|VBD was|VBD Octavius|NNP Decatur|NNP Gass|NNP .|. 
Bestowed|NNP with|IN plenty|NN of|IN the|DT invaluable|JJ pioneer|NN spirit|NN that|WDT characterizes|VBZ Las|NNP Vegas|NNP to|TO this|DT day|NN ,|, Gass|NNP redirected|VBN his|PRP$ life|NN by|IN picking|VBG up|RP where|WRB the|DT Mormons|NNP left|VBD off|IN —|NN at|IN least|JJS when|WRB it|PRP came|VBD to|TO ranching|VBG and|CC farming|VBG .|. 
Gass|NNP took|VBD over|IN the|DT abandoned|VBN Mormon|NNP fort|NN and|CC 640|CD acres|NNS (|( 260|CD hectares|NNS )|) surrounding|VBG it|PRP ,|, dubbing|VBG it|PRP the|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP Ranch|NNP .|. 
He|PRP expanded|VBD the|DT ranch|NN and|CC irrigated|JJ the|DT land|NN so|IN that|IN it|PRP would|MD support|VB crops|NNS and|CC cattle|NNS .|. 
His|PRP$ determination|NN had|VBD other|JJ results|NNS as|RB well|RB :|: Gass|NNP was|VBD named|VBN a|DT justice|NN of|IN the|DT peace|NN and|CC a|DT territorial|NN legislator|NN .|. 

Despite|IN his|PRP$ ambition|NN ,|, Gass|NNP ’|NN success|NN was|VBD short|JJ -|- lived|VBN .|. 
In|IN the|DT late|JJ 1870s|NN ,|, he|PRP defaulted|VBD on|IN a|DT loan|NN from|IN rancher|NN Archibald|NNP Stewart|NNP ,|, so|RB Stewart|NNP took|VBD the|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP Ranch|NNP for|IN his|PRP$ own|JJ .|. 
True|JJ to|TO wild|JJ -|- West|NNP stereotypes|NNS ,|, Stewart|NNP was|VBD slain|VBN by|IN a|DT neighboring|VBG farmer|NN ,|, leaving|VBG his|PRP$ strong|JJ -|- willed|JJ wife|NN ,|, Helen|NNP ,|, to|TO assume|VB the|DT duties|NNS of|IN the|DT ranch|NN .|. 
Through|IN 1905|CD ,|, Helen|NNP Stewart|NNP expanded|VBD the|DT ranch|NN to|TO 2000|CD acres|NNS (|( 810|CD hectares|NNS )|) ,|, making|VBG quite|RB a|DT bit|NN of|IN money|NN in|IN the|DT process|NN .|. 

What|WP happened|VBD next|JJ would|MD mark|VB the|DT end|NN of|IN the|DT successful|JJ Las|NNP Vegas|NNP Ranch|NNP and|CC the|DT beginning|NN of|IN the|DT era|NN of|IN the|DT subdivision|NN seen|VBN across|IN almost|RB all|DT of|IN Western|NNP America|NNP to|TO this|DT day|NN .|. 
The|DT railroad|NN was|VBD coming|VBG ,|, and|CC when|WRB it|PRP arrived|VBD ,|, Las|NNP Vegas|NNP would|MD never|RB be|VB the|DT same|JJ again|RB .|. 

Of|IN Tracks|NNP and|CC Tracts|NNP At|IN the|DT turn|NN of|RP the|DT 19th|JJ century|NN Los|NNP Angeles|NNP and|CC Salt|NNP Lake|NNP City|NNP were|VBD among|IN the|DT burgeoning|VBG metropolises|NNS of|IN the|DT new|JJ American|NNP West|NNP .|. 
Though|IN the|DT two|CD cities|NNS remained|VBD unlinked|JJ by|IN rail|NN ,|, this|DT was|VBD about|IN to|TO change|VB quickly|RB .|. 
When|WRB it|PRP did|VBD ,|, the|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP Valley|NNP (|( which|WDT at|IN the|DT time|NN had|VBD a|DT non-native|JJ population|NN of|IN less|JJR than|IN 30|CD )|) would|MD change|VB as|RB well|RB .|. 
In|IN 1903|CD ,|, officials|NNS of|IN the|DT San|NNP Pedro|NNP ,|, Los|NNP Angeles|NNP ,|, and|CC Salt|NNP Lake|NNP Railroad|NN arrived|VBD in|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP ,|, eager|JJ to|TO secure|VB a|DT right|NN -|- of|IN -|- way|NN for|IN their|PRP$ Los|NNP Angeles–|NNP Salt|NNP Lake|NNP connection|NN .|. 
Las|NNP Vegas|NNP would|MD serve|VB as|IN a|DT major|JJ stopover|NN for|IN crew|NN rest|NN and|CC train|NN repair|NN .|. 
For|IN all|PDT this|DT ,|, the|DT railroad|NN needed|VBD land|NN .|. 
As|IN mapped|VBN ,|, the|DT track|NN traveled|VBD directly|RB through|IN Helen|NNP Stewart|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ Las|NNP Vegas|NNP Ranch|NNP .|. 
Stewart|NNP sold|VBD 99.5|CD percent|NN of|IN her|PRP$ ranch|NN to|TO the|DT railroad|NN .|. 
The|DT remainder|NN she|PRP returned|VBD to|TO the|DT native|JJ Paiutes|NNP .|. 

In|IN early|JJ 1905|CD ,|, the|DT route|NN between|IN Los|NNP Angeles|NNP and|CC Salt|NNP Lake|NNP City|NNP was|VBD completed|VBN ,|, and|CC train|NN tracks|VBZ bore|VBD right|RB down|RP the|DT center|NN of|IN the|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP Valley|NNP .|. 
On|IN 15|CD May|NNP 1905|CD ,|, the|DT railroad|NN held|VBD a|DT land|NN sale|NN —|NN a|DT momentous|JJ step|NN in|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP history|NN .|. 
Standing|VBG at|IN the|DT depot|NN at|IN Main|NNP and|CC Fremont|NNP streets|NNS ,|, railroad|NN officials|NNS auctioned|VBD 1200|CD lots|NNS they|PRP had|VBD subdivided|JJ from|IN forty|NN square|JJ blocks|NNS of|IN desert|NN scrub|NN .|. 
Land|NN speculators|NNS and|CC locals|NNS alike|RB were|VBD anxious|JJ to|TO own|VB a|DT part|NN of|IN the|DT newest|JJS railroad|NN boomtown|NN ,|, and|CC within|IN an|DT afternoon|NN ,|, more|JJR than|IN 80|CD percent|NN of|IN the|DT lots|NNS were|VBD sold|VBN .|. 

Las|NNP Vegas|NNP was|VBD no|RB longer|RB a|DT small|JJ pioneer|NN settlement|NN .|. 
With|IN rail|NN service|NN in|IN place|NN and|CC forty|NN blocks|NNS of|IN private|JJ property|NN ,|, it|PRP was|VBD ready|JJ to|TO become|VB a|DT real|JJ town|NN .|. 
Businesses|NNS sprang|VBD up|RB overnight|JJ ,|, and|CC wooden|JJ houses|NNS were|VBD erected|VBN to|TO replace|VB the|DT tent|NN city|NN in|IN which|WDT many|JJ of|IN the|DT early|JJ settlers|NNS had|VBD lived|VBN .|. 
One|CD year|NN after|IN the|DT auction|NN ,|, the|DT population|NN of|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP had|VBD ballooned|VBN to|TO 1500|CD residents|NNS ,|, a|DT portent|NN of|IN things|NNS to|TO come|VB for|IN the|DT next|JJ ninety|CD years|NNS .|. 

Dam|NNP Good|NNP Luck|NNP From|IN the|DT beginning|NN ,|, Las|NNP Vegas|NNP was|VBD built|VBN to|TO serve|VB travelers|NNS .|. 
The|DT railroad|NN needed|VBD a|DT way|NN station|NN ,|, and|CC Las|NNP Vegas|NNP was|VBD the|DT place|NN .|. 
Growth|NN continued|VBD for|IN ten|CD years|NNS ,|, and|CC by|IN 1915|CD the|DT town|NN had|VBD telephones|NNS ,|, round|JJ -|- the|DT -|- clock|NN electricity|NN ,|, and|CC a|DT growing|VBG population|NN —|NN many|DT of|IN whom|WP worked|VBD in|IN the|DT railroad|NN repair|NN shop|NN .|. 
But|CC such|JJ heady|JJ progress|NN would|MD soon|RB come|VB to|TO a|DT halt|NN .|. 

The|DT growing|VBG competition|NN in|IN rail|NN transport|NN resulted|VBD in|IN Union|NNP Pacific|NNP buying|VBG the|DT Los|NNP Angeles–|NNP Salt|NNP Lake|NNP line|NN .|. 
Union|NNP Pacific|NNP then|RB consolidated|JJ its|PRP$ operations|NNS ,|, eliminating|VBG the|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP repair|NN facility|NN .|. 
Additionally|RB ,|, Las|NNP Vegas|NNP had|VBD been|VBN made|VBD a|DT part|NN of|IN Nevada|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ new|JJ Clark|NNP County|NNP in|IN 1909|CD ,|, a|DT year|NN when|WRB the|DT legislature|NN also|RB outlawed|VBD gambling|NN .|. 
These|DT unfortunate|JJ circumstances|NNS threatened|VBN to|TO relegate|NN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP to|TO the|DT status|NN of|IN a|DT small|JJ desert|NN community|NN that|WDT could|MD no|RB longer|JJR support|NN its|PRP$ 3000|CD residents|NNS .|. 
But|CC the|DT southwest|JJS ’|NN s|VBZ growing|VBG need|NN for|IN water|NN ,|, combined|VBN with|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ fortuitous|JJ proximity|NN to|TO the|DT Colorado|NNP River|NNP ,|, would|MD give|VB Las|NNP Vegas|NNP a|DT second|JJ chance|NN to|TO achieve|VB prosperity|NN .|. 

Construction|NNP on|IN Hoover|NNP Dam|NNP (|( originally|RB Boulder|NNP Dam|NNP ,|, subsequently|RB renamed|VBN for|IN the|DT president|NN who|WP authorized|VBD the|DT project|NN )|) began|VBD in|IN 1931|CD in|IN a|DT canyon|NN 45|CD miles|NNS (|( 72|CD km|NN )|) southeast|NN of|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP .|. 
Providing|NNP an|DT influx|NN of|IN $165|NN million|CD to|TO the|DT southwestern|JJ economy|NN ,|, Hoover|NNP Dam|NNP played|VBD a|DT major|JJ role|NN in|IN preventing|VBG Las|NNP Vegas|NNP from|IN drying|VBG up|RP ,|, both|DT financially|RB and|CC literally|RB .|. 
Not|RB only|RB did|VBD it|PRP create|VBP jobs|NNS ,|, but|CC it|PRP also|RB created|VBD Lake|NNP Mead|NNP ,|, the|DT massive|JJ reservoir|NN that|DT today|NN provides|VBZ water|NN to|TO all|DT of|IN southern|JJ Nevada|NNP .|. 

More|JJR Government|NNP Help|VB The|DT construction|NN of|IN Hoover|NNP Dam|NNP did|VBD not|RB single|JJ -|- handedly|RB save|VB Las|NNP Vegas|NNP ,|, however|RB .|. 
The|DT state|NN legislature|NN helped|VBD as|IN well|RB ,|, by|IN legalizing|VBG gambling|NN in|IN 1931|CD and|CC thus|RB solidifying|VBG the|DT future|NN of|IN the|DT town|NN ,|, though|IN legislators|NNS and|CC residents|NNS could|MD never|RB have|VB known|VBN this|DT at|IN the|DT time|NN .|. 
The|DT hordes|NNS of|IN people|NNS who|WP attended|VBD Hoover|NNP Dam|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ 1935|CD dedication|NN set|VBD the|DT city|NN ’|NN s|VBZ now|RB -|- formidable|JJ public|JJ relations|NNS machine|NN into|IN action|NN .|. 
They|PRP went|VBD to|TO work|VB on|IN what|WP has|VBZ become|VBN one|CD of|IN the|DT lengthiest|NN citywide|JJ tourism|NN campaigns|NNS ever|RB attempted|VBD .|. 
It|PRP didn|NN ’|NN t|NN take|NN long|RB for|IN the|DT city|NN to|TO establish|VB itself|PRP as|IN a|DT wild|JJ -|- West|NNP town|NN with|IN an|DT “|NN anything|NN goes|VBZ ”|NN attitude|NN .|. 
Vices|NNP outlawed|VBD or|CC heavily|RB controlled|VBN elsewhere|RB were|VBD legal|JJ here|RB ,|, available|JJ any|DT hour|NN of|IN any|DT day|NN (|( or|CC night|NN )|) .|. 
Thus|RB originated|VBN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ reputation|NN as|IN an|DT adult|NN theme|NN park|NN .|. 

Additional|JJ catalysts|NNS for|IN the|DT valley|NN ’|NN s|VBZ growth|NN came|VBD from|IN World|NNP War|NNP II|NNP .|. 
Both|DT the|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP Aerial|NNP Gunnery|NNP School|NNP (|( which|WDT became|VBD Nellis|NNP Air|NNP Force|NNP Base|NNP and|CC the|DT Nevada|NNP Test|NNP Site|NNP )|) in|IN the|DT north|NN ,|, and|CC Basic|NNP Magnesium|NNP in|IN the|DT nearby|JJ town|NN of|IN Henderson|NNP ,|, arrived|VBD in|IN the|DT early|JJ 1940s|NN as|IN a|DT result|NN of|IN America|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ war|NN effort|NN .|. 
By|IN 1945|CD ,|, the|DT population|NN had|VBD grown|VBN to|TO almost|RB 20,000|CD ,|, with|IN workers|NNS and|CC airmen|NNS moving|VBG in|IN at|IN a|DT rapid|JJ pace|NN .|. 
But|CC this|DT was|VBD not|RB yet|RB the|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP of|IN folklore|NN .|. 

Mobsters|NNP and|CC Rat|NNP Packers|NNPS While|IN many|JJ gambling|NN halls|NNS opened|VBD Downtown|NN in|IN the|DT 1930s|NN and|CC early|JJ 1940s|NN ,|, only|RB two|CD were|VBD built|VBN on|IN the|DT stretch|NN of|IN old|JJ Los|NNP Angeles|NNP Highway|NNP that|IN ultimately|RB became|VBD the|DT Strip|NNP .|. 
The|DT El|NNP Rancho|NNP Vegas|NNP (|( 1941|CD )|) was|VBD the|DT first|JJ ,|, followed|VBN by|IN the|DT Last|JJ Frontier|NNP (|( 1943|CD )|) .|. 
During|IN this|DT period|NN ,|, East|NNP Coast|NNP Syndicate|NNP member|NN Benjamin|NNP “|NN Bugsy|NNP ”|NN Siegel|NNP earned|VBD a|DT foothold|NN as|IN a|DT local|JJ casino|NN operator|NN .|. 

By|IN 1945|CD Siegel|NNP had|VBD become|VBN one|CD of|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ original|JJ visionaries|NNS ,|, planning|VBG an|DT opulent|JJ resort|NN on|IN the|DT southern|JJ end|NN of|IN the|DT LA|NNP Highway|NNP .|. 
When|WRB the|DT Flamingo|NNP opened|VBD in|IN December|NNP 1946|CD ,|, it|PRP did|VBD so|RB with|IN Hollywood|NNP flair|NN and|CC the|DT new|JJ Vegas|NNP flash|VBP .|. 
But|CC the|DT Mafia|NNP bosses|NNS who|WP financed|VBD the|DT operation|NN were|VBD displeased|JJ with|IN its|PRP$ performance|NN ;|: Siegel|NNP was|VBD murdered|VBN in|IN the|DT summer|NN of|IN 1947|CD .|. 

Despite|IN its|PRP$ initial|JJ failings|NNS ,|, Siegel|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ Flamingo|NNP survived|VBN him|PRP ,|, as|IN did|VBD mob|NN infiltration|NN of|IN casinos|NNS .|. 
In|IN fact|NN ,|, the|DT Flamingo|NNP would|MD launch|VB over|IN two|CD decades|NNS of|IN strong|JJ mob|NN presence|NN in|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP .|. 
Freely|NNP flowing|VBG “|NN comps|NNS ”|NN (|( complimentary|JJ food|NN ,|, drink|NN ,|, and|CC entertainment|NN )|) were|VBD the|DT order|NN of|IN the|DT day|NN ,|, with|IN mob|NN bosses|NNS content|NN to|TO provide|VB an|DT environment|NN of|IN pleasurable|JJ excess|NN as|IN long|RB as|IN the|DT cash|NN kept|VBD rolling|VBG in|IN .|. 

While|IN the|DT mob|NN was|VBD running|VBG the|DT casinos|NNS ,|, promoters|NNS were|VBD busily|RB selling|VBG Las|NNP Vegas|NNP as|IN a|DT glamorous|JJ Hollywood|NNP in|IN the|DT desert|NN .|. 
From|IN the|DT mid|JJ -|- 1940s|NNS to|TO the|DT mid|JJ -|- 1960s|NNS ,|, Las|NNP Vegas|NNP nurtured|VBD a|DT growing|VBG sense|NN that|IN it|PRP was|VBD the|DT “|NN Entertainment|NNP Capital|NNP of|IN the|DT World|NNP .|. ”|NN 
Emerging|VBG stars|NNS ,|, no|RB longer|JJR content|NN with|IN playing|VBG small|JJ nightclubs|NNS ,|, came|VBD to|TO Las|NNP Vegas|NNP with|IN dreams|NNS of|IN making|VBG it|PRP big|JJ .|. 
Many|JJ of|IN them|PRP did|VBD .|. 
Frank|NNP Sinatra|NNP ,|, Wayne|NNP Newton|NNP ,|, and|CC Louis|NNP Prima|NNP each|DT arrived|VBD with|IN mediocre|JJ status|NN and|CC suddenly|RB found|VBD themselves|PRP with|IN names|NNS as|RB big|JJ as|IN the|DT marquees|NNS on|IN which|WDT they|PRP were|VBD written|VBN .|. 
The|DT Rat|NNP Pack|NNP —|NN originally|RB Frank|NNP Sinatra|NNP ,|, Dean|NNP Martin|NNP ,|, Sammy|NNP Davis|NNP Jr|NNP .|. ,|, Peter|NNP Lawford|NNP ,|, and|CC Joey|NNP Bishop|NNP ,|, all|DT in|IN town|NN to|TO film|NN Ocean|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ 11|CD —|NN landed|VBD at|IN the|DT Sands|NNP in|IN January|NNP 1960|CD for|IN a|DT legendary|JJ stay|NN .|. 
Other|JJ Hollywood|NNP stars|NNS came|VBD as|IN well|RB ,|, simply|RB because|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP was|VBD the|DT place|NN to|TO be|VB .|. 

As|IN a|DT result|NN ,|, more|JJR casinos|NNS emerged|VBD along|IN the|DT Strip|NNP .|. 
The|DT Thunderbird|NNP ,|, Desert|NNP Inn|NNP ,|, Sahara|NNP ,|, Sands|NNP ,|, and|CC Riviera|NNP hotels|NNS were|VBD erected|VBN during|IN this|DT period|NN ,|, luring|VBG a|DT curious|JJ clientele|NNS drawn|VBN by|IN tales|NNS of|IN all|DT -|- night|NN partying|VBG ,|, exclusive|JJ entertainment|NN ,|, and|CC cheap|JJ accommodations|NNS .|. 
There|EX was|VBD no|RB longer|RB any|DT question|NN :|: when|WRB you|PRP wanted|VBD some|DT unbridled|JJ adult|NN fun|NN ,|, Las|NNP Vegas|NNP was|VBD the|DT place|NN to|TO be|VB .|. 

New|NNP Legitimacy|NNP Organized|NNP crime|NN was|VBD soon|RB to|TO have|VB a|DT formidable|JJ adversary|NN in|IN its|PRP$ bid|NN to|TO control|VB Las|NNP Vegas|NNP —|NN corporate|JJ cash|NN .|. 
Though|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP had|VBD developed|VBN a|DT powerful|JJ local|JJ economy|NN ,|, few|JJ major|NN outside|JJ investments|NNS were|VBD made|VBN in|IN the|DT city|NN ,|, due|JJ primarily|RB to|TO mob|NN infiltration|NN and|CC its|PRP$ inherent|JJ ties|NNS to|TO illegal|JJ activities|NNS .|. 

That|DT would|MD change|VB dramatically|RB with|IN the|DT 1966|CD arrival|NN of|IN billionaire|NN Howard|NNP Hughes|NNP .|. 
A|DT legitimate|JJ businessman|NN ,|, Hughes|NNP was|VBD nonetheless|RB eccentric|JJ and|CC dramatic|JJ ,|, a|DT style|NN suited|VBN to|TO the|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP ethos|NN .|. 
True|JJ to|TO the|DT myth|NN ,|, the|DT reclusive|JJ Hughes|NNP immediately|RB cloistered|JJ himself|PRP in|IN the|DT Desert|NNP Inn|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ penthouse|NN .|. 
Several|JJ weeks|NNS later|RB he|PRP was|VBD asked|VBN —|NN then|RB ordered|VBD —|NN to|TO vacate|VB the|DT room|NN to|TO make|VB room|NN for|IN high|JJ rollers|NNS ,|, whereupon|NN he|PRP promptly|RB bought|VBD the|DT property|NN and|CC fired|VBD the|DT management|NN .|. 
Thus|RB began|VBD Hughes|NNP ’|NN legendary|JJ three|CD -|- year|NN ,|, $|$ 300|CD -|- million|CD Las|NNP Vegas|NNP buying|VBG spree|NN .|. 
When|WRB it|PRP was|VBD over|IN ,|, Hughes|NNP owned|VBD six|CD casinos|NNS ,|, an|DT airport|NN ,|, and|CC an|DT airline|NN ,|, along|IN with|IN numerous|JJ plots|NNS of|IN land|NN stretching|VBG from|IN the|DT Strip|NNP to|TO the|DT mountains|NNS .|. 

Hughes|NNP ’|NN actions|NNS would|MD have|VB beneficial|JJ repercussions|NNS ,|, both|DT immediate|JJ and|CC lasting|JJ .|. 
Because|IN of|IN the|DT new|JJ legitimacy|NN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP acquired|VBD from|IN Hughes|NNP ’|NN investments|NNS ,|, established|VBN companies|NNS such|JJ as|IN Hilton|NNP Hotels|NNPS bought|VBD into|IN the|DT gaming|NN business|NN ,|, and|CC their|PRP$ influence|NN helped|VBD draw|VB a|DT line|NN in|IN the|DT desert|NN sand|NN between|IN legitimate|JJ operations|NNS and|CC mob|NN casinos|NNS ,|, where|WRB illegal|JJ skimming|VBG of|IN profits|NNS was|VBD rampant|JJ .|. 
That|DT ,|, combined|VBN with|IN the|DT formation|NN of|IN the|DT Nevada|NNP Gaming|NN Control|NNP Board|NNP ,|, would|MD signal|VB the|DT beginning|NN of|IN the|DT end|NN for|IN heavy|JJ mob|NN influence|NN in|IN the|DT city|NN .|. 

Las|NNP Vegas|NNP with|IN a|DT Vision|NNP As|IN corporations|NNS moved|VBD in|IN and|CC the|DT mob|NN was|VBD slowly|RB pushed|VBN out|IN ,|, a|DT new|JJ Las|NNP Vegas|NNP emerged|VBD .|. 
The|DT legitimization|NN of|IN gambling|NN led|VBN to|TO its|PRP$ increased|VBN legalization|NN across|IN the|DT US|NNP .|. 
What|WP was|VBD once|RB a|DT sure|JJ thing|NN became|VBD much|RB more|RBR competitive|JJ .|. 
Casino|NN operators|NNS had|VBD to|TO reassess|VB the|DT nature|NN of|IN their|PRP$ business|NN .|. 

The|DT first|JJ to|TO really|RB do|VBP so|RB was|VBD Steve|NNP Wynn|NNP ,|, a|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP resident|NN and|CC owner|NN of|IN the|DT Golden|NNP Nugget|NNP .|. 
In|IN the|DT mid|JJ -|- 1980s|NNS ,|, Wynn|NNP began|VBD plans|NNS to|TO reinvigorate|VB Las|NNP Vegas|NNP with|IN a|DT new|JJ resort|NN .|. 
He|PRP bought|VBD several|JJ Strip|NNP properties|NNS —|NN the|DT Silver|JJ Slipper|NNP and|CC Castaways|NNP among|IN them|PRP —|NN and|CC demolished|VBD them|PRP to|TO make|VB way|NN for|IN a|DT new|JJ kind|NN of|IN resort|NN —|NN Mirage|NNP —|NN which|WDT became|VBD an|DT instant|JJ success|NN .|. 

Wynn|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ demolition|NN of|IN the|DT existing|VBG properties|NNS started|VBD a|DT trend|NN that|IN ,|, more|JJR than|IN any|DT other|JJ ,|, describes|VBZ Las|NNP Vegas|NNP at|IN the|DT end|NN of|IN the|DT 20th|JJ century|NN :|: removal|NN of|IN old|JJ properties|NNS in|IN exchange|NN for|IN the|DT potential|NN of|IN new|JJ ones|NNS .|. 
This|DT trend|NN has|VBZ led|VBN to|TO many|JJ more|JJR demolitions|NNS ,|, including|VBG the|DT Dunes|NNPS (|( replaced|VBN by|IN Bellagio|NNP )|) ,|, Aladdin|NNP (|( the|DT new|JJ Aladdin|NNP )|) and|CC Sands|NNP (|( Venetian|JJ )|) hotels|NNS .|. 

Wynn|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ casinos|NNS have|VBP also|RB set|VBN new|JJ standards|NNS .|. 
They|PRP can|MD no|RB longer|RB be|VB just|RB a|DT box|NN filled|VBN with|IN gaming|NN tables|NNS ,|, restaurants|NNS ,|, and|CC a|DT showroom|NN .|. 
Excalibur|NNP ,|, the|DT MGM|NNP Grand|NNP ,|, the|DT Luxor|NNP ,|, and|CC New|NNP York|NNP -|- New|NNP York|NNP all|DT followed|VBN Mirage|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ lead|VB during|IN the|DT 1990s|CD ,|, offering|NN themed|VBN environments|NNS and|CC attractions|NNS for|IN families|NNS .|. 

As|IN evidence|NN of|IN the|DT “|NN ever|RB -|- faster|JJR ”|NN nature|NN of|IN the|DT city|NN ,|, by|IN the|DT middle|NN of|IN the|DT 1990s|CD the|DT new|JJ approach|NN showed|VBD signs|NNS of|IN backlash|NN ,|, with|IN many|JJ visitors|NNS criticizing|VBG the|DT mediocrity|NN of|IN the|DT Las|NNP Vegas|NNP experience|NN .|. 
The|DT latest|JJS approach|NN is|VBZ perhaps|RB the|DT best|JJS of|IN the|DT post-mob|JJ era|NN :|: the|DT comprehensive|JJ resort|NN .|. 
New|JJ resorts|NNS offer|VBP attractions|NNS and|CC amenities|NNS modeled|VBD after|IN those|DT available|JJ in|IN top|JJ resort|NN cities|NNS worldwide|NN ,|, including|VBG luxurious|JJ spas|NNS ,|, signature|NN restaurants|NNS ,|, and|CC exclusive|JJ boutiques|NNS .|. 
Additionally|RB ,|, a|DT handful|NN of|IN resorts|NNS —|NN such|JJ as|IN the|DT South|NNP -|- Seas|NNPS themed|VBN Mandalay|NNP Bay|NNP ,|, the|DT Mirage|NNP ,|, and|CC the|DT new|JJ Four|CD Seasons|NNPS —|NN are|VBP now|RB catering|VBG exclusively|RB to|TO the|DT luxury|NN travel|NN market|NN .|. 
The|DT crème|NN de|IN la|FW crème|NN of|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP deluxe|JJ is|VBZ Steve|NNP Wynn|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ Bellagio|NNP .|. 
The|DT world|NN ’|NN s|VBZ most|RBS expensive|JJ resort|NN at|IN $1.6|NN billion|CD ,|, the|DT Bellagio|NNP ’|NN s|VBZ amenities|NNS include|VBP 5|CD -|- star|NN dining|NN ,|, Chanel|NNP -|- caliber|NN boutiques|NNS ,|, and|CC a|DT world|NN -|- class|NN collection|NN of|IN artistic|JJ masterworks|NNS .|. 
Perhaps|RB more|RBR important|JJ ,|, such|JJ high|JJ -|- end|NN accommodations|NNS raise|VBP the|DT standards|NNS of|IN expectations|NNS back|RB to|TO the|DT mythology|NN of|IN the|DT Rat|NNP Pack|NNP era|NN .|. 

As|IN it|PRP changed|VBD from|IN mob|NN gam|NN bling|VBG town|NN to|TO corporate|JJ gaming|NN venue|NN ,|, the|DT population|NN of|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP skyrocketed|VBD .|. 
Over|IN 20,000|CD additional|JJ hotel|NN rooms|NNS have|VBP been|VBN added|VBN in|IN a|DT few|JJ short|JJ years|NNS ,|, including|VBG resorts|NNS in|IN Summerlin|NNP and|CC Lake|NNP Las|NNP Vegas|NNP .|. 
Recent|JJ business|NN projections|NNS for|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP predict|VBP challenges|NNS ;|: tourism|NN revenues|NNS must|MD increase|VB substantially|RB to|TO sustain|VB what|WP is|VBZ already|RB built|VBN ,|, while|IN actual|JJ figures|NNS show|VBP visitation|NN as|IN steady|JJ or|CC declining|VBG .|. 
The|DT growth|NN that|WDT has|VBZ characterized|VBN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP for|IN nearly|RB a|DT century|NN may|MD be|VB facing|VBG a|DT roadblock|NN .|. 

Still|RB ,|, the|DT future|NN of|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP is|VBZ sure|JJ to|TO be|VB determined|VBN as|IN much|JJ by|IN the|DT pioneering|JJ spirit|NN that|WDT built|VBD the|DT city|NN as|IN by|IN anything|NN else|RB .|. 
With|IN its|PRP$ new|JJ look|NN and|CC new|JJ aim|NN ,|, the|DT prospects|NNS are|VBP good|JJ despite|IN the|DT warnings|NNS .|. 
Inevitably|RB ,|, some|DT people|NNS will|MD get|VB burned|VBN in|IN the|DT process|NN ,|, but|CC others|NNS will|MD rise|VB triumphantly|RB from|IN the|DT fray|NN to|TO even|RB greater|JJR successes|NNS .|. 
And|CC that|IN ,|, more|JJR than|IN anything|NN ,|, is|VBZ the|DT one|CD constant|JJ that|WDT characterizes|VBZ the|DT past|JJ ,|, present|JJ ,|, and|CC future|NN of|IN Las|NNP Vegas|NNP .|. 

