Overview

Las Vegas has a long and rich history that extends far beyond the clichÉs of ‘sin city’, the Mafia, Elvis, or mindless urban sprawl. This book provides a series of maps with accompanying text that goes beyond the usual tales of the city and illustrates the history of the city and surrounding region from the time of the ancient Anasazi farmers to the present. It provides a geographic perspective on the city’s growth, showing the influence of water, public land surveys, transportation routes, and casinos on the city’s evolution. The atlas also shows the development of the surrounding region, including public lands, military bases, and also reconstructs the settlement and geography of the canyons and valleys of the Colorado River before Hoover Dam created Lake Mead. Dams, highways, railroads, and other projects planned but never built are also covered. The maps were constructed using Geographic Information Systems making use of cartographic data from a range of public sources as well as extensive mapping by the author, drawing on decades of experience in the Las Vegas region.

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9781948908405

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Reviews

Weber captures the connection between our waterways and aquifers and the subsequent historical developments they made possible: war industries associated with aviation and the atomic bomb, transportation, tourism, gaming, suburbanization. This book provides an extensive look into the city's founding and growth and how the environment has shaped, and continues to shape, our lives. --Thomas Crowe, rjmagazine An informatively and profusely illustrated atlas, Mapping Historical Las Vegas: A Cartographic Journey is exceptionally well organized and presented so as to be a truly comprehensive and inherently interesting reference and history of one of the more unique American cities in the country. --Midwest Book Review Weber's geographic take on Las Vegas history allows readers to not only understand the 'what' of the city's past and present, but also the 'where.' Such a perspective gives way to a profound appreciation of and deep connection to this unique place. I learned something new in every chapter. --Rex J. Rowley, professor of geography, Illinois State University, author of Everyday Las Vegas: Local Life in a Tourist Town The work is diligent and competent, the maps are clear and consistent, and the writing is straightforward and fact-based. --Richard Campanella, geographer and associate dean for research, Tulane School of Architecture

An informatively and profusely illustrated atlas, Mapping Historical Las Vegas: A Cartographic Journey is exceptionally well organized and presented so as to be a truly comprehensive and inherently interesting reference and history of one of the more unique American cities in the country. --Midwest Book Review Weber's geographic take on Las Vegas history allows readers to not only understand the 'what' of the city's past and present, but also the 'where.' Such a perspective gives way to a profound appreciation of and deep connection to this unique place. I learned something new in every chapter. --Rex J. Rowley, professor of geography, Illinois State University, author of Everyday Las Vegas: Local Life in a Tourist Town The work is diligent and competent, the maps are clear and consistent, and the writing is straightforward and fact-based. --Richard Campanella, geographer and associate dean for research, Tulane School of Architecture

Weber's geographic take on Las Vegas history allows readers to not only understand the 'what' of the city's past and present, but also the 'where.' Such a perspective gives way to a profound appreciation of and deep connection to this unique place. I learned something new in every chapter. --Rex J. Rowley, professor of geography, Illinois State University, author of Everyday Las Vegas: Local Life in a Tourist Town The work is diligent and competent, the maps are clear and consistent, and the writing is straightforward and fact-based. --Richard Campanella, geographer and associate dean for research, Tulane School of Architecture

Author Information

Joe Weber is a professor of geography at the University of Alabama, but he often returns to Las Vegas, a place filled with fond memories from his time as a youth growing up in the city. Weber received his PhD from Ohio State University, which led him to his present academic work focused on the changing geography of both national parks and the American highway system.

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