How did a dusty railroad town become the fantasy land of adult entertainment? The simple answer is, “demand.” In a town where the skyline is always changing, it’s easy to lose sight of the city’s past. To truly understand how “Sin City” got its name, take a look at the history of sex in Las Vegas.
Sex is an often underrated but integral part of all human civilizations. Ancient art and private love letters from all over the globe illustrate sex as more than a commercialized commodity. Prostitution has also undergone many culturally shifts over the centuries, from the highly educated Japanese Geishas to the Hetaerae Courtesans of Ancient Greece. In the United States, Las Vegas has a particularly unique sexual heritage.
Contrary to its reputation as a place where anything goes, prostitution was never legal in Las Vegas. However, the oldest profession in the world thrived in parts of Nevada and brothels do continue to operate legally within state lines. One of the most infamous red-light districts was Block 16, which dominated Las Vegas in the first third of the 20th century. The heavy influx of single male workers to the rural area was the catalyst for Block 16. The district was lined with rowdy saloons and widespread prostitution worthy of a “Sin City” reputation. Many brothels operated within saloons and generated plenty of legitimate, taxable revenue. This encouraged Las Vegas government officials to look the other way for decades. The saloons also continued to sell alcohol during prohibition, with many customers flocking to the “speakeasies” for some late night frivolity.
Officials finally closed Block 16 when the U.S. Army built the Air Corp. Gunnery School, now known as Nellis Air Force Base, in 1941. (The Federal government feared the working girls would spread venereal diseases to the soldiers.) The demand and culture had shifted by the 1950s and city officials had to (or at least appear to) value public safety and wholesomeness by condemning prostitution.
By this time, gambling resorts had taken over as the leading industry in Las Vegas. Blue-collar worker workers and businessmen alike flocked from all across the country to Las Vegas. Many had no family or community ties and were just looking for a place to escape. The Vegas players realized they needed to lure these men into the casinos and keep them there. Hence, the showgirl was born.
In the 1950s Jack Entratter had the best “Las Vegas revue” show in town at the Sands Hotel. Harold Minsky countered by shocking audiences with his topless showgirl revue at The Desert Inn. Don Arden also introduced the “Lido de Paris” showgirl showcase at the Stardust, which ran for 31 years. Arden’s “Jubilee” Las Vegas show is still going strong today at Bally’s Hotel and Casino.
While terms such as “smut”' and “porn” have created an "us vs them" dichotomy, sexuality is something that all humans share. However, showgirls, dancers, producers or any other group within the industry are as diverse as any other profession. In fact, many famous hollywood stars such as Cassandra Peterson and Valerie Perrine started their careers as Las Vegas showgirls. The Erotic Heritage Museum in Las Vegas aims to serve as a community resource for those who embrace their sexuality, both in a professional or personal setting.
To this day, Las Vegas is infamous for adult entertainment venues. Strip clubs, sex shops, topless shows and pornography still adorn Las Vegas. However, neither Las Vegas, Western civilization nor the media created the market for erotic entertainment. Rather, Sin City has become a sort of mecca where individuals feel more comfortable expressing their desires.
Unfortunately, sex has either been marketed as a cheap thrill or repressed as a forbidden taboo in recent history. These polar extremes don’t promote healthy sexual relations as a part of the human experience. Venues such as the Erotic Heritage Museum Las Vegas are working to change attitudes about sex through education. If the Las Vegas economy is any indication, sex still sells. However, it is the museum’s hope that modern society can sell itself on the idea that sex should be a shameless expression of love rooted in mutual respect and individual happiness.
This article was written by Lauren Yap Editor of www.earlyvegas.com.
