Las Vegas Then and Now (Compact)

Once upon a time, ?Sin City' attracted a different sort of visitor. Spanish explorers were the first to come to this desert oasis to enjoy its natural hot springs and named the spot Las Vegas, or ?the meadows.' Now just a century after it was founded in 1905, Las Vegas is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the US. See just how much has changed in Las Vegas Then & Now.

Fascinating then-and-now photographs capture the city's evolution from desert railroad outpost to the gambling and entertainment capital of the world.

Las Vegas remained a quiet, small town until 1931 when two events forever changed its course: the building of Hoover Dam and the legalization of gambling.

Photos from the 1940s illustrate the most dramatic development in the city with resort-style hotels and casinos popping up on the strip, including Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo.

Fans of neon will enjoy views of ?Glitter Gulch" ? Fremont Street's famed stretch ? as it was in the glory years of the 50s and as it is today.

Includes ?now' photos taken in September 2006 and the most up-to-date information about casino closures and new projects slated for 2006/2007.