Another city,
another perspective
Viva Las Vegas!
The settlement of Las Vegas was founded in 1905 after opening of a railroad that linked Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. The stopover attracted some farmers (mostly from Utah) to the area, and fresh water was piped into the settlement. In 1911, the town was incorporated as part of the newly founded Clark County. Urbanization took off in 1931 when work started on the Boulder Dam (now the Hoover Dam), bringing a huge influx of young male workers, for whom theaters and casinos were built, largely by the Mafia. Electricity from the dam also enabled the building of many new hotels along the Strip. The arrival of Howard Hughes in 1966 did much to offset mob influence and helped turn Las Vegas into more of a family tourist center, now classified as a Mega resort.
Fremont Street is in downtown Las Vegas, among the most famous streets in the Las Vegas Valley besides the Las Vegas Strip. Named in honor of explorer John Charles Frémont and located in the heart of the downtown casino corridor, Fremont Street is or was the address for many famous casinos such as Binion’s Horseshoe, Eldorado Club, Fremont Hotel and Casino, Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, Golden Nugget, Four Queens, The Mint, and the Pioneer Club.
Prior to the construction of the Fremont Street Experience, the western end of Fremont Street was the representative scene for Las Vegas that was included in virtually every television show and movie that wanted to depict the glittery lights of Las Vegas. The abundance of neon signs, like cowboy Vegas Vic, earned the street the nickname of “Glitter Gulch”.
Fremont Street Experience
JUST SAYING –
Las Vegas is a visual delight for any photographer, especially someone who likes neon and unique forms. Believe it or not my trips to Vegas were for business, I am not a gambler; as their consultant they gave money I wasn’t about to give it back.
I typically spent my free time shooting, but could never get enough. Besides there were other things to photograph so there were side trips to the Hoover dam, Valley of Fire.
J. Wayne Oldroyd
GO TO GALLERY
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