The Decade that Transformed Las Vegas: The 1940s

💥The 1940s saw a population boom in Las Vegas, with the number of residents tripling from 8,500 to nearly 25,000.

🎉The end of World War II led to a release of pent-up demand for leisure activities and tourism, boosting Las Vegas as a popular destination.

💼The 1940s marked the entry of organized crime into Las Vegas, with prominent individuals like Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel establishing a presence in the city.

🌇The growth of the entertainment and gambling industries in the 1940s laid the foundation for Las Vegas to become the entertainment and sports mecca it is today.

🛫Improved air travel and increased flights to Las Vegas contributed to the city's post-war economic boom and growth in tourism.

What impact did World War II have on Las Vegas in the 1940s?

—World War II brought an influx of people to Las Vegas, including those stationed at the gunnery school and workers for basic magnesium production. This population growth and the end of the war led to increased tourism and economic prosperity.

Who were some notable individuals involved in organized crime in Las Vegas during the 1940s?

—Prominent individuals involved in organized crime in Las Vegas during the 1940s included Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, Gus Greenbaum, and Moe Sedway. They played a significant role in the development of the gambling industry in the city.

How did the presence of organized crime contribute to the growth of Las Vegas?

—Organized crime figures saw an opportunity to invest in the gambling industry in Las Vegas, driving growth and development. The syndicate's purchase of the El Cortez hotel marked the first major presence of the traditional mob in Las Vegas.

What impact did the development of the entertainment industry have on Las Vegas in the 1940s?

—The growth of the entertainment industry in the 1940s, with the opening of theaters like the New Theater, attracted tourists and visitors to Las Vegas. It marked the beginning of the city's transformation into an entertainment and sports mecca.

How did air travel contribute to the growth of Las Vegas in the 1940s?

—Improvements in air travel and increased flights to Las Vegas allowed more people to visit the city, boosting tourism and contributing to the post-war economic boom.

00:03The 1940s brought significant change to Las Vegas, making it a decade of major transformation.

00:24The United States' entry into World War II in 1941 led to an influx of people in Las Vegas, including those stationed at the gunnery school and workers for basic magnesium production.

02:45With the end of the war, Las Vegas experienced a release of pent-up demand for leisure activities, leading to increased tourism and economic prosperity.

03:04The 1940s marked the entry of organized crime into Las Vegas, with prominent individuals like Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel establishing a presence in the city.

04:32The growth of the entertainment and gambling industries in the 1940s laid the foundation for Las Vegas to become the entertainment and sports mecca it is today.

05:03Improved air travel and increased flights to Las Vegas contributed to the post-war economic boom and growth in tourism.