During the Cold War of the 1950s and early 60s, Nevadans timed their days to watch the U.S. government's nuclear explosions as they tested atomic weapons at the nearby test site, 65 miles outside of Las Vegas. It was a small town back then, but 10,000-pound bombs turned it into something much bigger. Residents of Las Vegas welcomed the atomic testing once they saw the new flux of people moving to the valley – not to mention a new wave of tourists who came to see the blasts.
Vintage posters from Nevada's push for atomic tourism:
Allan Palmer, Director of the Atomic Testing Museum
