Bright lights, famous shows, pretty girls, and the city of life filled with glitz. Behind all this, Nevada’s booming gambling culture served as a catalyst for the rapid rise of Las Vegas.
After World War II, more people began traveling west and the economy was thriving. Many reasons for this venture were entertainment, fast marriages, gambling, and divorce, as it was one of the only states where leaving your husband was deemed legal. Because of this massive rise in population growth, famous casinos and resorts began being built all over the city and there was ultimately a huge expansion in these buildings.
For instance, some of them are along the Vegas Strip, like the Tropicana, Dunes, The Flamingo, and Stardust.
Competition and tensions were high as these casinos began competing for customers, which led to the introduction of flashy shows featuring talented showgirls. This began the first appearance of these dancers as they dressed up in alluring costumes with feathers, headdresses, and sequins. These shows included elaborate themes, and stage effects that required months of preparation.
With time, showgirls became a staple of Las Vegas culture with entertainment shows attracting tourists from around the globe. Advertisements, tourism campaigns, etc., all helped promote the new industry.
To this day, the impact of these women has remained on society although productions such as showgirls’ performances are less common today. The influence is undeniable and many people refer to showgirls to this day, with Taylor Swift as an example. Entertainment plays an important role in Nevada’s culture and economy which has made Las Vegas an unforgettable city.
Thanks to the Nevada State Museum for giving the Hug journalism team a sneak peek into Nevada’s glittering past.
Related Links
The Life of a Showgirl (UNLV Special Collections)
The Life of a Showgirl (Wikipedia)
Photo credit: Main photo by PHILIPPE SERRAND from Pexels.
