Even historians find it hard to argue with a successful formula. But I think we can afford to implode things, because, fortunately or unfortunately, that's progress. I don't think we can afford to implode memories, records, or sources. Green admits that his discipline falls short of being a perfect science, especially when it comes to past and present occupying the same space. Las Vegas' history is harder to capture because it was born in this century and it is unique.
Casinos are a fairly new historical phenomenon.
Over the past fifty years, Vegas' architecture has reflected America's infatuation with the Old West, the space age, escapism to the South Seas, and the glamour of Hollywood. This replication process doesn't well reflect Las Vegas' own history, however. The curious may read about old Las Vegas, visit it in a museum, watch it in a old movie, or hear it from someone who's been there. Walking down Fremont Street, I can imagine what was once there. That's fun, but hardly transferable.