Las Vegas: The Town Behind The Glamour and The Glitter

What's behind the glamour and glitter of Las Vegas? If some of the more than ten million tourists who annually visit this desert community would venture off Las Vegas Boulevard (sometimes called The Strip), they would find a normal town of normal citizens whose only wish is to make it the best little town in the West.

A quick glance at the afternoon newspaper, The Las Vegas Review Journal, reveals these coming events -a beefsteak show benefit for Good Shepherd Homes for Girls, A.K.C. Dog Show, Travel and Traffic Garden Club flower shows, square dance festival, third annual arts and crafts festival, Nevada Southern University's series of Sunday music matinees, military appreciation ball and the 7th annual National Art Roundup.

These activities indicate there is a great deal more to Las Vegas than meets the eye. Although advertised as the "Fun Capital of America" (and few will dispute that), its residents are much more interested in good schools, civic and fraternal projects, and church attendance. Liberalminded Las Vegans often join the fun when enter taining visitors, but ordinarily they live modestly and conservatively just as residents of any typical city in the U.S.A.

Just fifty years ago Las Vegas had a population of about 800. Today it is Nevada's mother one city, listed among the country's fastest growing. And its residents, along with others in nearby North Las Vegas, Hender son and Boulder City, control much of the social and political activity of the state.

As early as 1776, the natural meadows and the springs of Las Vegas on the Old Spanish Trail were known to explorers and traders. By 1856 the big springs were a welcome camping place on this desert route.

Captain John C. Frémont passed here in 1844 and explained to his country the significance of the terms, Las Vegas, as follows: "Las Vegas is a section which the Spaniards use to signify fertile or marshy plains, in contradistinction to llanos, which they apply to dry, sterile ground." Occupation of Las Vegas commenced in 1855 when Wil-liam Bringhurst of Salt Lake City arrived with a band of thirty young men detailed by Brigham Young "to go to Las Vegas, build a fort there to protect immigrants and the U. S. mail from the Indians, and to teach the latter how to raise corn, wheat, potatoes, squash and melons." This they did. And the Mormon gospel was preached with typical zeal, and it was recorded that "many In-dians were converted and baptized."

The village, however, was at first without cable from the Federal government. Reaching its peak, Young called for a considerable number to move nearer the Great Salt Lakes. The Morman when we denkamă leaving cabins and stacked four by carriers of the overland mail, and occasional mountain men.

As soon as it was reached by railroads, the future of this tiny dot of green in a vast expanse of sand, sagebrush and greasewood was assured. But no one, especially Northeastern Nevadans, predicted the transforming that has occurred. As recently as twenty-five years ago it was known chiefly as the "gateway to Hoover Dam," the world's largest dam. Hoover Dam, backing up the fabulous wannada lakes, Lees Indeed, became an important tourist mecca of the United States. Visitors poured into the area by the thousands, and placed the dam at the top of the tourist attractions in the nation. The chamber of commerce recognized this gold mine of "tourists" which had saved Las Vegas from the untimely demise predicted for it when the dam was completed. A campaign of publicity which has really paid dividends was launched to continue the interest in Hoover Dam and to add attention to the awesome Nevada area as a resort center.

Following the Mormon abandonment, O. D. Gass acquired the title land and water rights. About the same Gass owned the area, and until 1881, it was the territory of Arizona. In 1881 the land and water rights were obtained by Archibald Stewart, a 49er who had made his stake at Angel's Camp and later established a cattle ranch about one hundred miles north of Las Vegas. The town of Las Vegas was really booming in 1905 when the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad was projected. Las Vegas was purchased for only $55,000 from Mrs. Stewart, who operated the ranch herself after her husband was killed by an outlaw a short time before.

To be a duplicate of a model plant in England, on a tom-ton scale. Also nearby were the Manganese, Inc., plant. A new crop of residents descended upon Las Vegas which was already overcrowded by the influx of army personnel and their families who were attached to the nearby army flight training school. During this period Las Vegas was in-deed different from every other training and war production center. The population jumped from slightly more then 8,000 at the 1940 census to approximately nearly 20,000 as shown by sugar rationing activities in 1944. Following V-E and V-J days, production at the Basic Magnesium, Inc., and the Manganese, Inc., plants

Encased and the Las Vegas Army Air Field (now Nellis Air Base) was deactivated, But Las Vegas did not die. It merely turned its atten tion to even greater emphasis on the present and climate conditions which made it desirable for visitors, and to the great potential of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead water for industrial, development. The state of Nevada, took over the Basic Magnesium plant and enlisted vast indus trial developments to permanently locate at the site. It boasts products of industrial chemicals and metals such as Stauffer Chemical Company, Amerious Poush and Chemical Corporation and the Titanium Corporation of America. Nellis Air Base, was reactivated and is now one of the large jet malving centers in the county.

In addition to the dam and lake, the immediate vicinity offers some of the ghostliest ghost towns, romantic reminiscent of primitive people, and some of the most rugged yet beautiful country in the Southwest.

There's Mt. Charleston, where Las Vegans go to escape the heat in the summer and frolic in the snow in the winter. Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon have some west sandstone formations in bril liant red and yellow hues that offer hours of exploring.

Only a stone's throw from the gaudy gaming oasis ness of Las Vegas, traces of primitive man in a distant epoch have been found. At Tile Springs, eleven miles southwest of Las Vegas, is a prehistoric "graveyard," with archeologists making such exciting finds as stone flakes, which are the by-products of primitive tool makers, two tools made from camel bone and a bead made from Coleche, a hard rock native to the area. Remains of primitive mammal, bison, horse and camel, which roamed the dust as long as 45,000 years ago, also have been uncovered at the site, And holding the present with the past, not too far from "Fale Springs are are Yucca Flat and Frenchman's Flat, Nevada auclear weapons test alte To promote the arts, there is an Allied Arts Counte all. Included in the Council are ant groups, Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra, Las Vegas Branch of the Na tional League of Amaican For Women, Federated Garden Elube, Las Vegas Festival Symphony Orchestra and others. Representatives of the various groups meet regularly to discuss activities. Almost everyone takes serious interest in sanie firm of cultured entertainment.

In the education field, Las Vegas schools which come under the Clark County school system, have the most modern facilities, and its teachers salaries are among the country's highest. The University of Neyada has established a Novada Southern Branch which has as many full time students enrolled today as its much older parent, the Reno campus, had in 1940. It was noted recently by Dr. Charles J. Armstrong, the University's president, that Nevada hus the highest per capital per cantage of college age youths in the Nation and that Neveda Southern enrollement today nearly doubles that predicted for it. For the first time in June, 1964. Novada Southern is offering baccalaureate degrees in threa areas, education, business administration and arts and scienc Because of the concentration in Las Vegas of the muelpar and space-oriented industries, it is planned to add grad uate classes in the science field as soon as posible.

And in case anyone queries: "What else is there to do in Las Vegas?" the Las Vegas Recreation Department has a neat, fact filled booklet beating that title to help those with leisure time find a suitable hobby. The depart ment sponsors fourmen parks, six community centers and a host of activity, including a Slim Trims class, Senior Citi zene" clubs, "Higher-Ups" (a club for tall people), and classes in ceramics, music, bridge, bowling, intricate artistry of rug branding, cake decorating, and even Rus sian language.

For the golfer, five championship courses offer the ultimate. Annual tourists struct the world's greatest to make Las Vegas the tee off man's golf capital, To remind newcomers and tourists that they are in what was once the "Wild West." Las Vegas annually stages the Helldorada, a western style Mardi Gras. During this four-day celebration in May, Las Vegans really go western," dressing is authentic costumes, riding their homes, and growing boats. If you don't follow suit, you may end up in the hoosegow where members of the local Elks Club, which sponsors the event, toss those who don't have the Helldorado spirit. Bail is $1 during fun to help support the event.

Helldorada originated as a rodeo, but each year something has been added until now it is rodeo, carnival, pageant, and fiesta.

The fun starts with the "Old Timers' Parade" completely western and pioneer that the hum of a motor in it would be sacrilege. Old buggies, covered wagons. buckboards, coaches, and hand-carts are pulled by horses, oxen, mules, burros, and people.

This is me nightly codess where cowboye hom all over the U. S. compete for cash prizes and ear earn polots toward the national championships, Calves, bralunas, broncs are carefully selected for their explosive malities, and the result is a spectacle of skill, coutinge, and fary no other sport can offer.

Beauty is dealt out lavishly on the fund day of Hell iderado, when the West's fanest drift down Glitter Gulck (Las Vegas main street) on spectacular flests adorned with some of the prettiest girls in the world.

To help assure a bright economic futare, a dome roofed convention center houses several major and many minor conventions each year. More than 50.000 prople aftended conventions in the mammoth, $6,000.00р center daring one year. A spacious auditorlati and seven téon large mesting balls, supplemented by an ohibit hall area of 90,000 square feet, has put Las Vegas the running for any national confils.

Transportations frailties are the bait. A new air terminal, serving seven airlines, has airplanes landing and taking off every few minutes. The city is also served by the railroad, two buslines, and four major highways.

With some sixty new residents arriving daily. Las Vegas naturally is suffering from growing pains. Both, the city has undergone considerable face lifting and been able to keep up with the fantastic growth. Even the schools under a continuous building program manage to provide the best in basic education. And there's a wide selection in housing. More than 17,000 new dwelling units were built in the last ten years. Many Las Vegans have several acres for their front or back yards, keeping their own houses and having private swimming pools. The climate is perfect (the sun shines ninety-nine percent of the time) for outdoor activities this year round.

Despite the glitter and glamour noted by the casual visitor, Las Vegas is a stable, stable, typical American town, with perhaps a little more enthusiasm and enterprise evident in its residents, than would be found in a more placid atmosphere. They are worried about Las Vegas' image, They are touchy about its honkytonk melange. Las Vegas, they insist, is a resort, not a gambling town. And Its growth from malo town, to close town, to play men makes it a first class contender for the crown of ember city, tourist avatar in the nation (or close to it!).

DESERT COUNTRY

This is a no-nonsense land, No compromise, No half-values, no shadings. Mountains here do not emerge From gentle slopes and gradings, But sharply rise, Stark and granite, from flat sand.

Here are uncluttered skies, Strong wind and hard sun; Plainness or aching beauty, The whole element or none, And loved by the desert-wise.

ADOBE HOUSE

Adobe house built to withstand Storms wrath, caprice and mirth. With bricks of mud, toes deep in soil It feels kinship with earth.

DESERT RAIN

The wind left and silence filtered through silence. The smell of rain came (gently intertwined with the breath of sage) And a small cloud in a little moment of triumph snuffed the atomic candle into a shapeless wick.

SOURCE

I from the hill country A parable bring. Far in these woodlands sweet A hidden spring Gives a wild mountain stream Music to sing.

So you have given me All my life long, Love from your wildwoods, and Strength to be strong Secret, mysterious Source of my song!

DUST DEVILS

"Evil Spirits turned away From the Happy Hunting Ground," Indians say.

"Ghosts of rustlers hung or shot," A cowhand said they were, He thought.

The old prospector shook his head, "They're 'hard rocks' like me lost and dead. God, Our Pardner, knowin' what's best Figured a miner could find no rest On them 'Streets of Gold' likes up there, They'd go loco, man, I swear. So He grubstaked them down here below. The best place for a sour-dough.

"I take off my hat as the Devils fly, 'Cause I'll be one of them by 'nd by."

THE TROUBLES WE'RE HAVING:

For years we have enjoyed ARIZONA HIGHWAYS and have used the magazine as one of our regular gifts to several close friends. We are completely mystified this year, however, in the delivery (or non-delivery) of these subscriptions. We received two December, no January, two February.. our friends also indicate similar experiences what gives?

THE PHOENIX STORY:

Yesterday being Sunday, I read and reread the beautiful March edition of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS.

Phoenix through the years has had outstanding national publicity, but I think this is the finest piece the community has ever had. One of the striking phases of the magazine is that it is so comprehensive. You have included agriculture, construction, highways, tourist attractions, industry potential, parks and economics, all of which are graphically portrayed. You also picture Phoenix as a beautiful vibrant city in the middle of the desert, which is the image we at the Chamber have been portraying.

NEIGHBORLY NOTE:

This is just a note to "toot my own horn" and also to give credit to ARIZONA HIGHWAYS for printing the picture in the first place. The photograph, "Stream Near St. Johns," which appeared in the December, 1953, issue has been selected for use as one of four large transparency panels demonstrating the four seasons to be displayed in the American Association of Retired People Pavilion at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair.

Since this picture appeared in ARIZONA HIGHWAYS it has been used eleven times in various magazines, the largest of these being Farm Journal, and was also used as the Christmas card for a large steel firm a few years back.

I have always felt this is the best photograph I ever made and it is by far the most successful as far as money goes.

DOWN UNDER:

A letter from my cousin Bob Diffin of Carlton, New South Wales, Australia, dated February 2nd says, "I could scarcely believe my eyes the other morning when I saw a copy of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS in the bookstall at Carlton railway station."

Carlton is a suburb of the city of Sydney, New South Wales. I had sent Bob and his sister, Mrs. Alf Smith, a year's gift subscription to your wonderful magazine, hence the reference to it at the bookstalls in "the land of down under."

Evidently your New York news company does a round-the-world job!

GRAND CANYON: FAMOUS FIRST SAYS (CONTINUED)

The remark of a U. S. president at the Grand Canyon, "Golly! What a gully!" reminds me that when I was at the South Rim I met a stranger who said he was from "Swizzerlan" and further he said, "Ze Americains, zay come to see zee Alp. Ha! You put zee whole Swizzerlan's in zis hole!"

"WILLOW BEACH ON UPPER LAKE MOHAVE" BY DARWIN VAN CAMPEN.

This photograph shows the marina at Willow Beach, the fishing and recreational resort on Lake Mohave, twelve miles below Hoover Dam. Here one finds trout-fishing water supreme, in scenery unsurpassed. 4x5 Linhof camera; Ektachrome; f.30 at 1/25th sec.; 360mm Tele-Xenar lens; November; bright sunlight; Weston Meter 350; ASA rating 64.

"RESTFUL EVENING - LAKE MEAD" BY CLIFF SEGERBLOM.

This photograph was taken from the Boulder Islands in the lower basin of Lake Mead. After a busy day of fishing and boating on the lake, the sports enthusiasts welcome the quiet, restful moments of evening. Rolleiflex camera; Ektachrome; f.12 at 1/125th sec.; Ziess Planar f.3.5 lens; August; sunset; ASA rating 64.