LAS VEGAS — Before the glitz and glamour of the Strip, Fremont Street served as Las Vegas’ original entertainment hub.
Fremont Street dates back to 1905, the same year the city was founded and became a travel destination. Because of its proximity to the city’s first train depot, Fremont Street was the main thoroughfare and the first street to be paved in 1925. During the early 1900s, many casinos and hotels sprang up along the street, with the now-Golden Gate Hotel & Casino among the oldest.
For decades, Fremont Street was the entertainment hub, but after the Hoover Dam was built, more residents and entertainment venues settled in downtown Las Vegas. In 1941, the first resort-style casino and hotel, the El Rancho Vegas, was built on what is now called the Strip. Significant mob investment brought glamour and corporate development by the 1960s.
But with the development of the highway, people could head straight to Las Vegas. By the 1990s, the modern era of large theme-park-style casinos like the Bellagio and the Venetian attracted visitors to the Strip.
To revitalize Fremont Street, city officials spent nearly $70 million to create the Fremont Street Experience, which opened in 1995. Today, the Fremont Experience features free concerts, dazzling shows, and world-class entertainment venues. Visitors wanting to experience the remaining legacy can visit the Golden Gate casino, the Neon Museum, and take in the historic architecture.
