Why Does the Strip Bend at Caesars Palace?

We were at the top of the Strat last weekend, looking down on the Strip, and got to wondering why it veers off to the left in the middle. It looks like right at Caesars Palace, it jogs to the southeast a bit, with all the casinos lined up alongside. Why didn't they just run it straight up the Strip?

Yes, the Strip bends at about a 30-degree angle at the north edge of Caesars, right in the middle of Harrah's across the Boulevard. The reason for this dates back to before Las Vegas was laid out in the early 20th century.

Due to the terrain of Las Vegas Valley, the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad that ran through it, necessitating the creation of the original 40-square-block town, approached the valley from the northeast (coming from Salt Lake) and left it at the southwest (heading toward southern California), roughly along the route of today's Interstate 15.

When the automobile road was built from California, old Highway 91, the surveyors situated it on a due-north trajectory from as far south as today's Southern Highlands Parkway, a little south of M Resort. But if it had continued on that course straight north, it would have crossed the railroad behind what's now Circus Circus, cut through Palace Station, and bypassed downtown completely by about a mile to the west.

Instead, as it neared the railroad tracks, it veered to the northeast (slightly right) and paralleled the tracks into downtown.

Thus the railroad barons, who got here first, set the pattern for the future of Sin City.

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[email protected] Aug-21-2023

Finally.....

A really interesting and historical question! (As opposed to ferris wheel and "Can I own a casino" nonsense). Thank you.

Kenneth Mytinger Aug-21-2023

The Railroad

Was ready to make a comment to make me appear historically knowledgeable and academic.  But good thing that I checked Google maps first.

If you follow Las Vegas Blvd, almost to Jean, there is a historical marker along the tracks, commemorating the joining of the railroads from Los Angeles and from Salt Lake City.  When I saw it many years ago, it was simply one sign on a post, a short paragraph with the title "The Last Spike".

When I was there, it was easily accessible, just a few steps from LV Blvd, and nothing else around; so easy (then anyway) to just pull off to the side and park.

Look for it on Google Maps. Lots of stuff has been added around it since I was there.

CLIFFORD Aug-21-2023

Sir Ludwick

Anything that does not hurt anyone, can't be considered nonsense.  Honestly, I don't think the curve is that interesting or histerical BUT IT DOES NOT HURT ANYONE...see what I mean?

mhernandez116 Aug-21-2023

End of an era

Once Qod goes behind the paywall, certain people will be forced to go elsewhere to shout at the rain

Ray Aug-21-2023

In reality

The road (US91)was there before almost all of the casinos. The casinos were built along the road. The road veered, so the casinos veered, so Las Vegas Blvd followed the curve that was already there.

Question of the Day - 21 August 2023

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