Tim,

I know exactly what you're looking for...but, as far as I know, it doesn't exist for Las Vegas. (If you're interested in Reno, get "The Rise of the Biggest Little City" by Dwayne Kling.)

One site to visit is "The First 100". It was a series of articles published by the Review Journal, recognizing 100 people who were key to creating Las Vegas. One of my favorites is Mayme Stocker, who received the first license when gambling was legalized in 1931. She owned The Northern Club, which she later sold to Wilbur Clark...he operated it as the Monte Carlo. Later it was The Coin Castle, and it's now Le Bayou...just a small slot joint, but the location of so much history . (It had a couple of other names over the years, but I can't think of 'em right now ). One other tid-bit about that property...several years ago some repairs/renovations were being done, a back wall was torn down and it was discovered that the wall was constructed over an old bed spring!!

anyway, go to http://www.1st100.com/index.html you'll find the history of the people and the places they built

oh...they did publish this as a book, too, if you want to buy it.