In 1890 railroad developers decided that las vegas would serve as a prime stop along the san pedro salt lake city and los angeles railroad route it would also connect las vegas to major cities on the pacific coast. Todays las vegas welcomes 35 million visitors a year and reigns as the worlds 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. A short history of las vegas university of nevada press reno 1999 paher stanley w las vegas as it began as it grew nevada publications las vegas nv 1971 orleck annelise storming caesars palace 1971 demonstration and community organizing by las vegas welfare mothers this page was last edited on 18 february 2021 at 1945 utc text is available under the creative commons