Sidebar with Agnes Fliff: Facts on Las Vegas history

Who were the first people to live in Las Vegas?

Humans have lived in the Las Vegas Valley for 11,000 years. Tribes of hunter-gatherers came first, followed by the Basket Makers. We knew very little about these ancient people until recently. Archaeologists uncovered the remains of a structure, similar to Stonehenge, although smaller in size, on the eastern edge of the valley. Experts were baffled by the creation, which was circular in shape and outlined with precisely spaced boulders, each bearing a series of gouge marks. Then they noticed the sun's shadow moving around the circle throughout the day. Apparently, the structure was a rudimentary dice clock, the very first of its kind.

When the town of Las Vegas was established in 1905, what was here?

Very little existed that would be recognized today. There were a few frontier-style saloons. Transportation between the various establishments was provided by a horse-pulled wagon known as the maneorail. However, the maneorail was inoperative for months at a time after incidents where the horse's shoe flew off during service and injured bystanders.

What seminal event paved the way for the growth of modern Las Vegas?

That would have to be the building of Hoover Dam. While the dam itself has had no discernible impact on the town, something happened during the construction that really put Las Vegas on the map. After long days of hard, dangerous labor, workers sought to relieve the boredom by forcing some of the smaller, less hairy among them to dress in women's clothing and perform elaborate song-and-dance routines. Thus began the proud tradition of drag queens, the foundation of Las Vegas nightlife. It culminated with Frank Marino snagging a spot on the town's Walk of Stars. Note to Frank: Return my black lace Wonderbra or I'm going to start feeding the wigs you've left at my place through the shredder. You hear me, bitch?