Once a marsh which contained a mass amount of vegetation, Las Vegas would never be recognizable to anyone compared to what it has now become. As the waters that once fed the area disappeared beneath the Earth, vegetation died and only the strong survived. A desert was formed, yet in the desert remained a water source which fed an area of beautiful foliage making an oasis that was just waiting for someone to notice its mysterious beauty and see its potential. Yet, it would be years before someone would venture past the dangerous elements of the Mojave Desert to capture the vision of this long awaiting oasis.
It was the year 1829 that 60 men traveled along the Spanish Trail headed for Los Angeles. A simple twist of fate caused the men to leave the route. Rafael Rivera was one of the men in the party, he was an experienced scout. He left the party and went to explore the vast desert that lied before him. It was two weeks later that he found the oasis, Las Vegas Valley. It was on this day that Rafael Rivera made history by becoming the first non-Native American to lay his eyes on this beautiful oasis.
The gracious supply of spring water discovered at this amazing oasis shortened the trail which led to Los Angeles. It was around the year 1830 that Vegas began appearing on maps. Sometime later the name Vegas was changed to Las Vegas. The name Las Vegas means The Meadows in Spanish.
Around 1855 Mormon settlers arrived in Las Vegas and built an adobe fort which was 150 square feet. They planted vegetation and mined for lead. Due to raids from the Native Americans, the Mormons abandoned their settlement nearly three years later.
By the year 1890 the railroad developers decided to make Las Vegas Valley a train stop and town. In 1904 workers came and began to work on the railroad. Tents housed the workers and slowly saloons and stores began to open. On January 20, 1905 the Union Pacific made its way from California going east, it traveled along the just finished railroad in Las Vegas. The railroad led to Las Vegas becoming founded on May 15, 1905. 1,200 lots were auctioned off and bought in one day. Las Vegas was becoming a twinkle in the night, soon enough it would grow to become the light that lights the sky with an intensity that can be seen for miles. And then gambling came into play in Las Vegas.