Sal Tesoro - City of Technology and Vice

[dugfromthearth]

SAL TESORO

Sal Tesoro is the high tech capital of the U.S. as well as the gambling capital of the world. Located in Nevada next to the Wilbur Dam, the Salt Valley flats, the Hooker Observatory, the Los Refugios nuclear test site, and the secret government research facility at Block 16, the city is scene of technological villains from aliens to *'s. The wealth of the casinos attracts common criminals from bank robbers to mobsters. And with the city having been founded by a murdered turned hero by the intervention of an angel, there are many who say that there is magic lurking beneath the surface.

For a weekend getaway or a career, Sal Tesoro is a city which has it all.

HISTORY
In the 1840's gold rush a wave of emigrants traveled the California Trail. A shortcut was established across a vast salt flat in Nevada called Salt Valley. The cutoff passed a spring which was the only water for a hundred miles. The spring became a favorite place for bandits and was nicknamed Bushwhack Springs.

In 1842, a bandit named Phantly Langtry was captured and hung but did not die. Phantly claimed an angel cut the rope in exchange for a promise to hunt down the rest of the bandits and protect the emigrants. Phantly established a saloon at the springs and declared himself the justice of the peace. He hunted down the remaining bandits and travel along the shortcut became a flood.

In 1843, Charles Fremon had an affair with Virginia Rivera in New Orleans, was caught by her husband, and the two of them ran off to the west. Phantly gave Virginia a divorce and married the two of them. They settled in Bushwhack springs, running the saloon while Phantly acted as sheriff. In 1844, Phantly mysteriously disappeared and Charles and Virginia took over the town. Virginia renamed the town "Sal Tesoro", Spanish for Salt Treasure.

The saloon expanded into a town. Silver was found in nearby mountains and the town grew rich. It nearly died in the 1880's when the railroad bypassed the town, as they would not cross the salt flat. A few gifts to senators and a rail spur was established to the town, saving it from oblivion but when the silver ran out and the last mine closed in 1907, the town fell into decline.

In 1908, the Hooker Observatory was built on Mount Lowe on the edge of the salt flat. It was quite successful for astronomy research, but failed as a tourist attraction.

In 1929, the Wilbur Dam construction was started nearby and the city was revived. It was during prohibition, but dance halls and backroom saloons flourished. Gambling was legalized in 1931 and casinos opened. Sal Tesoro became known as the wickedest city in America. Violence and crime were common, and mystery men appeared to make the city safer.

In 1935, the dam was completed and cheap electricity poured into the city. But with construction completed, the number of workers fell and the city once again fell into decline, masked by the bright lights.

In 1939, the government took over an isolated salt flat called Bride Lake, designated Block 16 in the old land division maps. It was used for advanced airplane testing, and an airplane factory was opened near Sal Tesoro. An aluminum plant was opened using the cheap electricity from the dam to provide aluminum for the aircraft plant.

In 1942, the Manhattan Project was started to work on an atomic bomb. Testing facilities were established at Los Refugios in Block 16. The government established an FBI office in the city to help secure the various government facilities from * sabotage.

Needing trained scientists to support its facilities, the government founded Sal Tesoro Institute of Hydro Atomic Refining Mining, "HARM". This quickly became world famous for its advanced research projects, and startup engineering and research firms appeared.

The postwar boom also caused the casino industry to flourish, and the city soon attracted the mob which established itself in the city and built many new casinos. In the 50's and 60's night became a scene of constant battle between masked heroes, many from the military and the advanced technology labs, fighting the mobsters and other thugs.

In the 60's, Shockley Semiconductor was established in Sal Tesoro to make silicon chips, once again using the cheap electricity of Wilbur dam. The company took off and competitors soon filled the surrounding area. Sal Tesoro grew from a small city into a metropolis.

In the 80's, software companies took over the city, including MegaWare and Grande. Skyscrapers replaced manufacturing plants, and not to be outdone the casinos were rebuilt as skyscraper hotels. The population increased to over a million people, where it remains today.

[Dragonfly]

Hey dugfromthearth,

Good job with Sal Tesoro! What an interesting town, with an interesting history and set-up. Love it!

Best,

Dragonfly