The City Of Las Vegas: The 1970s

In the 1970s, Downtown Las Vegas was the vibrant heart of the city, buzzing with neon lights, showgirls, and the constant clink of slot machines. Fremont Street, often called “Glitter Gulch,” was a magnet for both locals and tourists, lined with iconic casinos like the Golden Nugget, Binion’s Horseshoe, and the Pioneer Club. The vibe was gritty but glamorous—a time when high rollers mingled with everyday folks under a canopy of flashing lights and larger-than-life signage. It was an era before the mega-resorts of the Strip overshadowed Downtown, and Fremont Street was still the main attraction for gaming, nightlife, and people-watching.

Beyond the casinos, Downtown was also the civic and cultural center of the city. City Hall, the county courthouse, and countless mom-and-pop businesses gave the area a real sense of community. Historic neighborhoods like the John S. Park and Huntridge districts were thriving, offering classic mid-century homes just blocks from the action. The 1970s were a transitional decade—still clinging to the postwar boom of the ‘50s and ‘60s, but slowly shifting toward modernization. For those who lived or invested in Downtown back then, it was a time of character, contrast, and plenty of stories worth remembering.

Funded by the Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial, the new film is the seventh in a series of documentaries exploring the history of Las Vegas. Funded by the Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial, the first documentary episode, “The City of Las Vegas: The Early Years,” was released May 15, 2019, and focused on the founding and first 20 years of the community. All episodes were produced by Boyd Productions LLC and were released near May 15 each consecutive year, as that is the date of the anniversary of the founding of the city of Las Vegas.