History of Las Vegas in Timeline

Las Vegas, Nevada's most populous city and the seat of Clark County, is a major international resort city renowned for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife. With a population of over 640,000 and a metropolitan area of approximately 2.4 million, it stands as Nevada's leading financial, commercial, and cultural center. Key attractions are concentrated in downtown Las Vegas and along the Las Vegas Strip, located outside the city limits.

1905: Las Vegas Founded as a City

In 1905, Las Vegas was founded as a city when 110 acres of land adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks were auctioned off in what would become the downtown area.

1905: Las Vegas Settled

In 1905, Las Vegas was settled.

1906: Golden Gate Hotel and Casino Opens

In 1906, the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, downtown along the Fremont Street Experience, opened as the Hotel Nevada.

1909: Largest Snowfall on Record (Unofficial)

In 1909, Las Vegas experienced its largest snowfall on record with 12 inches falling, though it was unofficial.

1911: Las Vegas Incorporated as a City

In 1911, Las Vegas was incorporated as a city.

1911: Las Vegas Officially Incorporated

In 1911, Las Vegas was officially incorporated as a city.

1929: Welcome Arch Installed

In 1929, the city installed a welcome arch over Fremont Street, at the corner of Main Street.

1931: The Northern Club (now the La Bayou) opened

In 1931, the Northern Club (now the La Bayou) opened.

1931: Welcome Arch Removed

In 1931, the welcome arch over Fremont Street was removed.

1931: Nevada Legalizes Casino Gambling

The year 1931 was pivotal for Las Vegas as Nevada legalized casino gambling and reduced residency requirements for divorce to six weeks. Construction also began on the tunnels for the nearby Hoover Dam that year.

1935: Hoover Dam Construction Completed

In 1935, the construction of the Hoover Dam was completed, helping Las Vegas to avoid economic calamity during the Great Depression.

January 25, 1937: Record Low Temperature

On January 25, 1937, Las Vegas recorded a record low temperature of 8 °F (−13 °C).

1941: Las Vegas Army Airfield Established

In late 1941, the Las Vegas Army Airfield was established.

1950: Nellis Air Force Base

In 1950, Las Vegas Army Airfield was renamed Nellis Air Force Base, now home to the United States Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic team.

1951: Nuclear Weapons Testing Begins at Nevada Test Site

In 1951, nuclear weapons testing began at the Nevada Test Site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, leading to the city being nicknamed the "Atomic City."

1955: Moulin Rouge Hotel Opens

In 1955, the Moulin Rouge Hotel opened as the first racially integrated casino-hotel in Las Vegas.

1959: Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign Installed

In 1959, the 25-foot-tall Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was installed at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip.

January 13, 1963: Record Low Temperature

On January 13, 1963, Las Vegas recorded a record low temperature of 8 °F (−13 °C).

1963: Coldest temperature measured

In 1963, a temperature of 29 °F (-2 °C) was measured in Las Vegas.

1963: Nuclear Tests Moved Underground

In 1963, the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty required that nuclear tests be moved underground.

1972: Construction of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

In 1972, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a 1.5 mile tri-oval, was constructed.

1973: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Merger

In 1973, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was formed after a merger of the Las Vegas Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff's Department.

1980: Circa Resort & Casino first all-new hotel-casino

The Circa Resort & Casino was the first all-new hotel-casino to be built on Fremont Street since 1980.

1989: The Mirage Opens

In 1989, The Mirage opened, starting a trend of major resort development on the Las Vegas Strip outside of the city.

1990: Population Growth Begins Accelerating

Starting in 1990, population growth in Las Vegas began to accelerate.

1995: Fremont Street Experience

In 1995, the Fremont Street Experience has been popular since its startup, built in an effort to draw tourists back to the area.

1997: Allegiant Air launches

In 1997, Allegiant Air, a low-cost air carrier, launched with its first hub at Harry Reid International Airport and headquarters in nearby Summerlin.

1997: Cessation of Amtrak Service via Desert Wind

In 1997, Amtrak trains ceased serving Las Vegas via the Desert Wind at Las Vegas station.

1997: End of Amtrak Desert Wind train service

Until 1997, the Amtrak Desert Wind train service ran through Las Vegas using the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

2000: Las Vegas Population According to the 2000 Census

According to the 2000 census, Las Vegas had a population of 474,434 people, with a racial makeup of 58.52% White alone (non-Hispanic).

2000: Population increase

Between 1990 and 2000, Las Vegas experienced a population increase of 85.2%.

2000: Land-Swap Deal with Lehman Brothers

In 2000, the city conducted a land-swap deal with Lehman Brothers, acquiring 61 acres of property near downtown Las Vegas in exchange for 91 acres of the Las Vegas Technology Center.

2002: Climate change concerns

Due to concerns about climate change in the wake of a 2002 drought, daily water consumption has been reduced.

2002: Replica Welcome Sign Installed

In 2002, a replica welcome sign, standing nearly 16 feet tall, was installed within city limits at Las Vegas Boulevard and Fourth Street.

2002: Drought and Water Conservation Efforts

In the wake of a 2002 drought, water conservation efforts were implemented in Las Vegas.

2003: Water Consumption

In 2003, daily water consumption was reduced from 314 US gallons (1,190 L) per resident due to concerns about climate change.

2004: Las Vegas Divorce Rate

According to a 2004 study, Las Vegas has one of the highest divorce rates in the U.S., partially due to Nevada's nonrestrictive requirements for divorce.

2004: Announcement of Symphony Park

In 2004, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman announced that the area acquired in the 2000 land swap would become home to Symphony Park, a mixed-use development.

July 19, 2005: Record Hot Daily Minimum Temperature

On July 19, 2005, the official record hot daily minimum temperature in Las Vegas was 95 °F (35 °C).

2005: World Market Center Opens

In 2005, the World Market Center opened, consisting of three large buildings taking up 5,400,000 square feet. Trade shows for the furniture and furnishing industries are held there semiannually.

December 17, 2008: Snow Accumulation in Las Vegas

On December 17, 2008, Las Vegas experienced significant snow accumulation.

2008: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant

In 2008, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant funded a program that analyzed and forecast growth and environmental effects through 2019.

March 2010: RTC launches bus rapid transit link

In March 2010, the RTC launched bus rapid transit link in Las Vegas called the Strip & Downtown Express.

2010: Las Vegas Population According to the 2010 Census

According to the 2010 Census, the city of Las Vegas had a population of 583,756. The city's racial composition had shifted slightly.

2011: Water Usage

In 2011, the Las Vegas Valley used less water than in 2014, when it increased by 1.2 billion US gallons.

2012: "The Year of Downtown"

2012 was dubbed "The Year of Downtown" in Las Vegas, with the debut of many revitalization projects, including the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the Discovery Children's Museum, the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum, a new City Hall complex, and renovations for a new Zappos.com corporate headquarters.

February 2013: City offices moved to the New Las Vegas City Hall

In February 2013, city offices moved to a new Las Vegas City Hall on downtown's Main Street.

July 1, 2013: Record Hot Daily Minimum Temperature

On July 1, 2013, the official record hot daily minimum temperature in Las Vegas was 95 °F (35 °C).

2013: Zappos.com moves headquarters to Downtown Las Vegas

In 2013, Zappos.com moved its headquarters to downtown Las Vegas.

2014: Increased Water Usage in Las Vegas Valley

In 2014, the Las Vegas Valley used 1.2 billion US gallons more water than in 2011.

May 2015: Las Vegas North Premium Outlets Second Expansion

In May 2015, the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets completed its second expansion, offering 175 stores.

December 25, 2015: Snow Accumulation in Las Vegas

On December 25, 2015, Las Vegas experienced significant snow accumulation.

2015: Daily water consumption

By 2015, daily water consumption had been reduced to around 205 US gallons (780 L) per resident due to climate change concerns.

2015: Percentage of Las Vegas households without a car.

In 2015, 10.2 percent of city of Las Vegas households were without a car.

2016: Las Vegas Commuting Statistics

In 2016, 77.1 percent of working Las Vegas residents commuted by driving alone.

2016: Replica Welcome Sign Destroyed

In 2016, the replica welcome sign was destroyed when a pickup truck crashed into it.

2017: Vegas Golden Knights inaugural season

In 2017, the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Vegas Golden Knights began play in the 2017–18 NHL season at T-Mobile Arena.

2018: Giant Neon Showgirls Added

In 2018, a pair of giant neon showgirls were initially added just north of the Strat as part of a $400,000 welcome display. The original showgirls were 25 feet tall.

2018: Plans Approved for New Gateway Landmark

In 2018, the city approved plans for a new gateway landmark in the form of neon arches, to be built within city limits in front of the Strat resort and north of Sahara Avenue.

February 18, 2019: Snow Accumulation in Las Vegas

On February 18, 2019, parts of Las Vegas received about 1 to 2 inches of snow.

2019: Mean Travel Time to Work

Between 2019 and 2023, the mean travel time to work for residents aged 16 and older was approximately 25.8 minutes in Las Vegas.

2019: Las Vegas Households

From 2019 to 2023, Las Vegas had approximately 244,429 households, with an average of 2.63 persons per household.

2019: Median Household Income

From 2019 to 2023, the median household income in Las Vegas was $70,723.

2019: Environmental Effects Forecasting

In 2019, a program funded by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant completed its analysis and forecast of growth and environmental effects in Las Vegas.

2020: Las Vegas Population According to the 2020 Census

According to the 2020 United States census, the city of Las Vegas had 644,883 people living in 244,429 households. The racial composition of the City of Las Vegas was 49.2% white, 11.9% black, 1.1% American Indian or Alaska Native, 6.9% Asian, Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 34.1% and 16.2% from two or more races. 40.8% were non-Hispanic white.

2020: Clark County Census

As of the 2020 Census, Clark County had 2,265,461 people.

2020: Circa Resort & Casino Opens

In 2020, Circa Resort & Casino opened on Fremont Street, becoming the first all-new hotel-casino built there since 1980.

2020: Gateway Arches Project Completed

In 2020, the Gateway Arches project was completed in Las Vegas. The steel arches are blue during the day, and light up in a variety of colors at night.

2020: Las Vegas Raiders Relocation

In 2020, the National Football League (NFL)'s Las Vegas Raiders relocated from Oakland, California, and play at Allegiant Stadium.

2020: Las Vegas population at 641,903 residents

In 2020, the population of Las Vegas was recorded at 641,903 residents, making it the 24th-most populous city in the United States. The Las Vegas metropolitan area had an estimated 2.4 million residents and was the 29th-largest metropolitan area in the nation.

2022: New Neon Showgirls Installed

In 2022, the original giant neon showgirls were replaced by new ones, rising 50 feet (15 m).

2023: Las Vegas Attracts Over 40.8 Million Visitors Annually

As of 2023, Las Vegas attracts over 40.8 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited cities in the United States and consistently ranking among the world's top tourist destinations.

2023: Digital Connectivity

Between 2019 and 2023, the vast majority of households in Las Vegas were digitally connected, with 95.6% having a computer and 89.1% subscribing to broadband internet services.

2023: Las Vegas Poverty Rate

From 2019 to 2023, approximately 14.2% of the population lived below the poverty line in Las Vegas.

2023: Median Gross Rent in Las Vegas

From 2019 to 2023, the median gross rent was $1,456 per month (in 2023 dollars) in Las Vegas.

July 7, 2024: Highest Temperature Officially Observed

On July 7, 2024, the highest temperature officially observed for Las Vegas was 120 °F (48.9 °C), measured at Harry Reid International Airport.

July 2024: Hottest Month Ever Recorded

July 2024 was the hottest month ever recorded in Las Vegas, with its highest recorded mean daily average temperature over the month of 99.9 °F (38 °C), its highest recorded mean daily maximum temperature of 111.5 °F (44 °C), and its highest recorded mean nightly minimum temperature of 88.3 °F (31 °C).

2024: Residential Projects in Symphony Park

As of 2024, the mixed-use development Symphony Park is home to four residential projects totaling 600 residential units.

2024: Brightline West Construction Begins

In 2024, construction began on the Brightline West high-speed rail project to connect Brightline's Las Vegas station and the Rancho Cucamonga station in Greater Los Angeles.