[reaperducer]

Las Vegas was a water stop for steam powered trains going between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.

When Boulder Dam was built, the government built Boulder City to house the workers. Being a government city, gambling wasn't allowed. But Vegas was just over the hill and filled that desire for the workers.

When the railroads switched to diesel and didn't need the water stop anymore, Vegas was already established as a gambling destination.

The spring still flows, and is part of a tiny state park in downtown Las Vegas.

And Boulder City is still the only place in Nevada where gambling is illegal.