Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas played an important role in our history – and it has nothing to do with gambling and odds! Book your stay at Thousand Trails Las Vegas to be close to the action but still able to enjoy the peace and quiet of a camping trip.
When you think of historic places in the US, your mind naturally goes to Boston, Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Washington DC, or The Alamo in Texas to name just a few. Do you ever think of Las Vegas, Nevada as historic? Read on and we’ll give you a few historic moments in the history of this southwest desert town that will make you think again…
The Hoover Dam: Did you know that Hoover Dam is a National Historic Landmark? Or that when it was completed in 1935 it was the largest dam in the world? The main purpose for the dam was to provide irrigation for this rapidly growing portion of the United States. Several earlier attempts were unsuccessful and in the mid-1920s, it was determined that the Black Canyon area of Las Vegas was a geographical match to build a successful dam. President Hoover (thus the name of the dam) signed the bill to authorize the dam construction in 1928. From 1931 to 1936 construction on the dam was constant. Due in part to the Great Depression, many laborers flocked to the site for work and subsequently lived in nearby Boulder City, which was a planned community built to house the dam workers and their families.
Elvis’ Residency: Nowadays, everyone who is anyone in the music industry plays some popular Las Vegas venue for an extended period of time, known as a residency. If you’ve been to Park MGM to see Lady Gaga or the Sphere to see Phish during their residencies at these venues, you can thank The King himself, Mr. Elvis Presley, for starting the tradition. While Presley was no stranger to performing in Las Vegas, after a major rough patch in his career, the owners of the International Hotel booked him for a four-week engagement in 1969. After its success, this turned into an annual extended performance schedule for Elvis in Vegas. The long-term result was 636 shows over a 7-year period. That’s a lot of burnin’ love for the King of Rock and Roll. Once again, the boy from Tupelo had changed the face of the music business, and the concept of a residency changed the music industry. It is important to note that both Liberace and Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack also had residencies prior to that of Elvis, but Elvis took it to another level, with most of his shows being sold-out. The popularity of Elvis, whose music touched all ages, changed the scope of Las Vegas, making it a travel destination for not just gamblers, but also a younger crowd appreciative of the music and entertainment Las Vegas offered.
The Moulin Rouge: Maybe you can call the Moulin Rouge the little nightclub that could. Although it was only open for a short time—roughly six months from start to finish—this club had a distinct impact on the Civil Rights Movement in the US being the first hotel casino to be completely desegregated from employees to entertainers. Opened in May 1955, it was recognized as a landmark of racial integration. Visit the Neon Museum to see the iconic original neon sign designed by famed artist Betty Willis.
Read More:
- Creamy Dutch oven soup you have to try
- Discover the most fun-filled fall this season!
- Planning ahead? Check out these winter camping spots
- All the tips you need when traveling with pets…
- Explore the Thousand Trails Camping Pass and the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass
- Find more campgrounds at ThousandTrails.com.
