Mapping Historical Las Vegas: A Cartographic Journey

Description

Las Vegas has a long and rich history that extends far beyond the clichés of “sin city,” the Mafia, Elvis, or mindless urban sprawl. Mapping Historical Las Vegas takes readers beyond stereotypical tales and provides an illustrated cartographic exploration of the entire region from the time of the ancient Anasazi farmers to the present. Weber shows the development of the surrounding area, revealing a geographical perspective on the city’s growth, including the influence of water, public land surveys, transportation routes, and the construction of casinos on Las Vegas’s evolution. Reaching past the city limits, Mapping Historical Las Vegas also examines the development of public lands, military bases, and the canyons and valleys of the Colorado River before the Hoover Dam was built and Lake Mead was created. Weber also includes information on dams, highways, railroads, and other projects that were planned but never constructed— showing what might have been in one of the nation’s largest cities. With 137 color maps generated using Geographic Information Systems, along with extensive mapping by Weber that draws on his decades of experience in the region, Mapping Historical Las Vegas offers a unique perspective on one of the world’s most famous desert cities.   Contents List of Maps Preface Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The Natural Setting Chapter 3. Before Las Vegas Chapter 4. The Founding of Las Vegas and its Growth Chapter 5. Creating Lake Mead Chapter 6. Quenching Las Vegas’s Thirst Chapter 7. Transporting Las Vegas Chapter 8. Contemporary Geographies of Las Vegas Chapter 9. Outside Las Vegas Chapter 10. Unbuilt Las Vegas Chapter 11. Remembering Las Vegas List of Acronyms References Index About the Author