ARCADIA PUBLISHING

Little girls all over the world may hope to grow up to become a princess, but few ever realize the dream. For those who grow up to become showgirls, they go far beyond, becoming goddess-like objects of men's desire and the epitome of feminine beauty, elegance, and class. As soon as resort casinos began to dot the dusty Las Vegas landscape, major stars, extravagant show productions, and beautiful women helped promote the city to become the ultimate adult playground. In the early 1950s, when...

This book takes you through the gangland history of the Detroit underworld and shows you the bloodshed, exploits, and leadership of the southeast Michigan crime syndicate. Included are rare archival pictures and images. From the 20th century and the iconic Purple Gang during prohibition through the Italian Mafia in the 1930s to the downfall of the area's mob reign in the 1980s and 1990s and everything in between. 128 Pgs. 2006

Whether known as "The Entertainment Capital of the World" or Sin City, Glitter Gulch or even "Lost Wages" Nevada, the dazzling city of Las Vegas has undergone incredible transformation-from ancient watering hole to Mormon fort, from whistle stop to mob-run profit center to become the fastest-growing urban community in the nation. Home to nearly 1.5 million residents, a melting pot of races and cultures, this great metropolis boasts a thrilling history of vices and virtues but, above all, a...

Everyone thinks they know the story of Las Vegas: The showgirls, the gambling, the mob. But Las Vegas has always been much more. Families have lived here since its founding in 1905. After 1931, legalized gaming became the big tourist draw, and following World War II, the town began to market itself as "America's Playground." That is when the famed Las Vegas Strip came into its own and downtown was dubbed "Glitter Gulch." These vintage postcards show how Las Vegas evolved from a dusty railroad...

During the midst of the Great Depression, Boulder City came to life due to the Boulder Dam project, which offered people a path of hope. This wonderful town’s heritage does not end at its buildings or sites, for they are just the icing to a richer culture. Standing in present time with images of their past will allow those in the community or newcomers a fresh view on the preservation efforts and care that Boulder City represents. Photographs 95 Pgs. 2021

Las Vegas is a city of glimmering lights, tanned celebrities, and mega-resorts. Every year, millions of tourists visit, seeking time in the sun, entertainment, and perhaps to return home with more money than they arrived with. Some will. Most won’t. There are too many things—such as gambling, shopping, and fine dining—to suck the vacation budget as dry as the Mojave Desert that surrounds the city. That’s the Las Vegas featured on the slick tourist brochures and TV ads. But there is another...