How Well Do You Know Old Las Vegas?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Well Do You Know Old Las Vegas?
Image: Wiki Commons by Edward N. Edstrom

About This Quiz

There's more to Las Vegas than the 12 million lights that make the Strip visible from outer space. For every dollar gambled at the city's casinos, there's a historical tidbit that's worth more than gold. Travel back to the Old Mormon Fort and walk your way into today to see how much you know about it. Out of 35 questions, how many will you wager you'll get right?

You don't need to belly up to the blackjack table to know your Vegas stuff! All you need to have is a real love for American history and a fascination with the city's unique culture. As you go through this quiz, you'll have to read the questions carefully. With so many mobsters, casinos and a birth like no other town, it can be easy to place your chips on the wrong response. No matter how much you already know, you'll break even in the end. 

From the Hotel Nevada to the MGM Grand, Las Vegas has more to offer than most places. It's easy to forget that the town rose out of nowhere into the thriving hotspot that it is now. Challenge yourself to get all the questions right, but remember what happens there stays there. Will you do as well as you think you'll do? 

1-Fremont Street
Alan Copson / robertharding / Getty Images
Also called "the old Strip," what Vegas street started it all?
Cheyenne Avenue
Fremont Street
Craig Road
Charleston Boulevard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With the first fort, the first railway stop and the first hotel, Fremont Street has a legacy all its own. Located only a few minutes from the now-famous Strip, it has been transformed into an area called Old Las Vegas.

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15-Flamingo
Lonnie Duka / Stockbyte / Getty Images
Who was the famous mobster responsible for building the Flamingo?
Bugsy Siegel
Al Capone
Lucky Luciano
Eliot Ness
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After burning all his bridges in New York and Chicago, Bugsy Siegel set out to rebrand himself in Las Vegas. Named after his dancer girlfriend, he used plenty of mob money to open the Flamingo.

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14-Freemont
Tom Brakefield / Stockbyte / Getty Images
Which of these things was made legal on Fremont Street in 1931?
Prostitution
Gambling
Drinking
Bartering
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Now incorporated for 20 years, Las Vegas officials set out to regulate some of the activities already taking place in the area. In 1931, laws that kept gambling illegal were lifted and a new era of Vegas was born.

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20-Elvis Presley
Wiki Commons by Elvis Presley
Called "The Atomic Powered Singer," Elvis first performed in which iconic, planetary lounge?
Jupiter Lounge
Saturn Speakeasy
Mars Cafe
Venus Room
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Along with Sinatra, Elvis' stardom helped to shape Las Vegas into being the self-proclaimed Entertainment Capital of the World." His first performance there took place in 1956 in the Venus Room area of the New Frontier hotel.

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2-Vegas Vic
Wiki Commons by Paul K
Vegas Vic welcomes visitors to Fremont Street using what type of lights?
LED
Incandescent
Neon
Halogen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the most iconic Vegas images, Vegas Vic is one of the largest animated signs in the world. Since 1951, his neon lights welcome visitors to the older part of the city. He was the first non-typeface neon sign to light up the old Strip.

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19-Strip
san francisco photographer / Moment / Getty Images
Before becoming known as "The Strip," what was the area's name?
Extraterrestrial Highway
Las Vegas Boulevard
The Meadows Way
Highway 91
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As Glitter Gulch kept expanding, Highway 91 became the next logical place to start building more casinos. Home to more than 12 million lights these days, you can see the famous Strip from space.

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3-Hotel
Pixabay by Ryan McGuire
It's been operational since 1906. What's the name of the oldest hotel in Las Vegas?
Hotel Nevada
The Sands
Caesar's Palace
Bellagio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With railroad workers needing a place to stay, it only made sense that hotels began to be built on the line. The first, the Hotel Nevada, was built in 1906. It eventually became the first casino when it was turned into the Golden Gate in the 1930s.

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22-The Sands
Wiki Commons by Desert Supply Company
What famous group first performed at The Sands in 1960 and helped put Vegas on the map?
The Supremes
The Rat Pack
The Temptations
The Beatles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Frank Sinatra had been performing in Las Vegas for nearly a decade before the rest of the Rat Pack joined him. Over four weeks during 1960, 34,000 people came to see them live at The Sands.

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4-Hoover Dam
Wiki Commons by The U.S. National Archives
The 1931 construction of which major attraction caused the population to boom?
Lake Las Vegas
River Mountains Loop Trail
Boulder Dam
Hoover Dam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Every year, over seven million people visit the Hoover Dam that sits approximately 30 miles from the Vegas strip. During construction, workers raised the population of the small town from 5,000 to 25,000 citizens.

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5-Frank Costello
Wiki Commons by Al Aumuller, World Telegram staff photographer
The FBI got concrete proof of mob activity when which mob boss was shot in 1957?
Al Capone
Bugsy Siegal
Frank Costello
Meyer Lansky
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

By 1957, mobsters were using legitimate funding sources like Wall Street. Up until Frank Costello was shot with a ledger in his pocket, the police had little proof of their illicit activities.

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6-Fremont Street
LWiki Commons by arry D. Moore
Do you have any idea what nickname was given to a portion of Fremont Street in 1946?
Sin City
City of Lights
The Strip
Glitter Gulch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Once major hotel-casinos were starting to define Fremont Street and merchants were taking advantage of cheap hydroelectric power, the area began to glow at night. In 1946, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce nicknamed it "Glitter Gulch."

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7-Mojave
Wiki Commons by Mr. Johnson
Which North American desert is near Clark County, where Las Vegas resides?
Mojave
Sonoran
Great Basin
Chihuahuan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nevada is situated in the American southwestern region, which is home to four deserts. The city of Las Vegas sits just 58 miles from the Mojave desert, and it's considered an oasis.

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8-El Rancho Vegas
Wiki Commons by Frasher Foto
What's the name of the first-ever hotel-casino to open up just outside of Las Vegas' Fremont Street?
The Strat
Circus Circus
El Rancho Vegas
Treasure Island
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Hotel Nevada was the first hotel opened in Las Vegas, but it didn't offer gambling until it became the Golden Gate. The El Rancho Vegas was built in 1941 and became the town's first-ever licensed hotel-casino combo. It's still in operation today.

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9-Las Vegas
Seb Oliver / Image Source / Getty Images
Do you have any idea what the name Las Vegas means?
The Desert
The Flowers
The Sagebrush
The Meadows
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Las Vegas might be known as the City of Lights, Sin City and the Entertainment Capital of the World. Its name means "The Meadows," though. When Mexican explorers discovered it in 1824, it was nothing more than flat land with a few natural springs.

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10-Casino
Grant Faint / The Image Bank / Getty Images
What religious group were amongst the first settlers in Las Vegas?
Scientologist
Mormon
Amish
Mennonite
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Around 1855, Mormon leader Brigham Young wanted to expand outposts in the Southwest. In addition to settling in San Bernardino, California, the area that's now known as Las Vegas was also chosen.

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11-Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort
Wiki Commons by Jrozwado
Can you figure out the name of the first non-native structure that still sits on Las Vegas Boulevard?
Fountain of the Gods
Caesars Palace Gardens
Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort
John Louis Statue
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the things that drew Mormon settlers to Las Vegas was a natural source of water. A small creek allowed settlers to irrigate fields, and the 150-square foot Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort was erected. You can still see it in the downtown area.

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12-Railroad
Wiki Commons by BoldSolitude
What industry came along and put Las Vegas on the map in 1905?
Farming
Medicine
Railroad
Textiles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although the Mormons eventually abandoned their settlement in Las Vegas, the railroad industry brought life to the area again in 1905. The Las Vegas and Tonopah built 150 buildings and created a stop there.

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13-Hoover
Craig Hastings / Moment / Getty Images
Only five years after trains came to town, Las Vegas was incorporated in what year?
1906
1910
1905
1901
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Now with a railway stop and hotels, Las Vegas had grown enough to become a fully functioning town. In 1910, lawmakers made it official by incorporating the town. No one could have predicted how large it would become!

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16-Meyer Lansky
Wiki Commons by Al Ravenna, World Telegram staff photographer
Which of these mobsters functioned as an investment partner to Bugsy Siegel?
Meyer Lansky
Henry Hill
Al Capone
Frank Sinatra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Siegel was shunned by many, but long-time partner Meyer Lansky had no fear of following him to Vegas. After Siegel's untimely demise, he and other crime family members fulfilled Siegel's vision for the city by going on to build casinos like Caesar's Palace and The Tropicana.

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17-Bugsy Siegel
Wiki Commons by KirkAndreas
Is it true or false that Bugsy Siegel's murderer confessed to the 1947 act?
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To this day, no one knows who is responsible for the 1947 murder of Bugsy Siegel. Rumors still abound about the possibilities, and one popular attraction tells a tale that still leaves minds wondering what really happened.

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18-Theatre
Chase Swift / The Image Bank / Getty Images
It was recently rebuilt, but what's the name of the first movie theater on Fremont Street?
Marquee Cinemas
El Portal
Boxtop Theater
Maggie's Movies
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1928, the El Portal Theatre was built on the former site of Fremont Street's Airdome. In addition to being the first theatre in the city, it was also the first air-conditioned building.

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21-Las Vegas Sign
Kameleon007 / E+ / Getty Images
During what year was the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign put up?
1931
1905
1941
1959
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No trip to Las Vegas is complete without a picture at the original welcome sign. Made from steel, it stands less than a mile from major casinos. Each one of its circles is said to represent a silver dollar because Nevada's nickname is the Silver State.

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23-Howard Hughes
Wiki Commons by Library of Congress
Famous for directing films like "Hell's Angels," what Hollywood legend began investing in Las Vegas in the late '60s?
Stanley Kubrick
Robert Wise
Howard Hughes
Billy Wilder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Howard Hughes breezed into town in 1966, he landed with a keen interest in mind. First, he purchased the Desert Inn; then, he continued with his streak by buying up the Sands, the Frontier and the Landmark.

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24-Caesar's Palace
Wiki Commons by Desert Supply Company
Before opening in 1966, which new hotel-casino had $42 million worth of advanced bookings?
The Golden Nugget
The Cromwell Hotel
The Bellagio
Caesar's Palace
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the very early days, servers and greeters at Caesar's Palace were told to say, "I'm your slave." That is no longer a practice, and the legendary Vegas hot spot now has 3,300 rooms and a theater that seats almost 4,300.

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25-Elvis Presley-Edit
Wiki Commons by Arbresha12
On May 1, 1967, which of the world's favorite singers married his younger bride at the Aladdin?
Frank Sinatra
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Elvis Presley
Jerry Lee Lewis
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Elvis Presley was not a member of the Rat Pack, but he was also one of Vegas' favorite performers. You can follow Elvis and Priscilla's lead and marry with few restrictions in Vegas. If you choose, you can have an Elvis impersonator officiate your nuptials.

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26-Freemont
Patricia Toth McCormick / Moment Open / Getty Images
If you look up while walking down Fremont Street, what will you see?
A canopy
The sky
Lanterns
Streamers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you look up on Fremont Street, you'll see the world's largest single video screen. Called a barrel canopy and boasting a 1,500 x 90-foot screen, the unique feature got a $32 million makeover in 2019.

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27-Siegfried and Roy
Wiki Commons by Carolhi
What Las Vegas act became a magical staple for the Tropicana starting in 1973?
Elvis Presley
Siegfried and Roy
Merv Griffin
Blue Man Group
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After the glamour of the '60s faded, investors were looking for new ways to attract crowds. Newcomers Siegfried and Roy began performing at the Tropicana. Their illusions and their tigers started an entertainment revolution on the Strip.

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28-Las Vegas
Siegfried Layda / Photographer's Choice RF / Getty images
A major upgrade brought even more visitors to the city by 1979. What was it?
More hydroelectric power
An international airport terminal
Luxury accommodations
Sewer improvements
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before adding an international terminal to McCarran Field into a major air hub, it was a lot of hard work to arrive in Vegas. The addition of the terminal made the city more accessible to visitors from around the world.

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29-Freemont Street
Wiki Commons by Smith & Chandler
Any idea what sort of upgrade Fremont Street got in 1925?
LED lights
Sidewalks
Bike lanes
Paved streets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before 1925, the dusty, unpaved streets in Las Vegas looked exactly like something out of the Wild West. Once they were paved, it added an air of sophistication that helped move Fremont Street forward.

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30-Hotels
Maximilian Müller / Moment / Getty Images
Steve Wynn helped to put Vegas on the map with the 1989 construction of what hotel-casino?
Luxor
Mirage
Lucky Dragon
Excalibur Hotel & Casino
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Coming in at $630 million, Steve Wynn's decision to build the Mirage was quite the gamble. The first of Vegas hotels to feature fountains, top chefs and glamour to the hilt, it set the stage for the Vegas we know today.

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31-Excalibur
Wiki Commons by viis
Can you figure out which early '90s hotel used a medieval theme to tap into the family vacation market?
Harrah's
The Sahara
Excalibur
Treasure Island
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hot on the heels of Steve Wynn's success with the Mirage, other investors decided to take advantage of the upswing by marketing towards families. The Excalibur's grandeur and all-age activities are still a hallmark of the city.

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32-Fountains
Wiki Commons by urban.houstonian
Built in 1998, which casino's fountains are one of the most visited sites in the city?
Artisan Hotel and Boutique
The Golden Gate
El Rancho Las Vegas
Bellagio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Bellagio's construction totaled $88 million, and its famous fountains were only a portion of it. Every 15-30 minutes, they erupt into an aquatic symphony that tourists cannot resist.

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33-Fremont Street
Siegfried Layda / Photographer's Choice RF / Getty images
Opened in 1956, what's the name of the first high rise to be built on Fremont Street?
The Stratosphere
The Golden Gate
The Flamingo
Fremont Hotel Casino
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Built by Sam Levinson, Fremont Street rose to new heights when the Fremont Hotel Casino came into town. Small by today's standards, it's still in operation and boasts 447 rooms that are ideal for an old Las Vegas experience.

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34-Fremont Street
Wiki Commons by Larry D. Moore
What 1930s Fremont Street hotspot knocked a hole in the wall to allow patrons to order food?
The Golden Gate
The Flamingo
The Sands
The Barrel House Beer Garden
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Barrel House Beer Garden hosted nightly orchestras and drew large crowds. With prohibition in full swing, the owners decided to cut a hole in the wall so that patrons could order food from the next restaurant over. If you were lucky, you could impress the owner and be served a drink, too.

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35-Fremont Street
Wiki Commons by National Archives at College Park
What name was given to the first red light district just outside of Fremont Street?
Red Light Lane
Block 16
El Portal
Hotel Nevada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Located only one block from Fremont Street, Block 16 was established in 1941. The brothels did well until the U.S. Air Force opened and decided that it needed to be shut down to keep airmen out of trouble.

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You Got:
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Wiki Commons by Edward N. Edstrom