Cultural Corridor Coalition in Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Las Vegas Old Mormon Fort
Nevada's Oldest Building
Photographed by Jacob Oscarson, October 28, 2020
1. Las Vegas Old Mormon Fort Marker
Inscription.
Las Vegas Old Mormon Fort. Nevada's Oldest Building. Las Vegas had its beginning at this location on June 14, 1855, when thirty-two Mormon missionaries arrived from Utah under the leadership of William Bringhurst. They set to work establishing farm fields that summer, and began to build a 150-foot square adobe fort that September, enclosing eight two-story houses. They cultivated small gardens and fields, planted fruit and shade trees, and tried to convert the local Southern Paiutes. , Most of the Mormons departed in 1857, and in 1865, Octavius Decatur Gass began developing the Las Vegas Rancho, using the adobe structures as headquarters. He farmed and raised beef cattle, supplying travellers [sic] and miners in the Potosi region., Helen J. Steward, owner of the property from 1882 to 1902, expanded the ranch to 1,800 acres, which she sold to the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad for the Las Vegas townsite. The Company auctioned the land on May 15, 1905, starting the process of building the Las Vegas around you today.
Las Vegas had its beginning at this location on June 14, 1855, when thirty-two Mormon missionaries arrived from Utah under the leadership of William Bringhurst. They set to work establishing farm fields that summer, and began to build a 150-foot square adobe fort that September, enclosing eight two-story houses. They cultivated small gardens and fields, planted fruit and shade trees, and tried to convert the local Southern Paiutes.
Most of the Mormons departed in 1857, and in 1865, Octavius Decatur Gass began developing the Las Vegas Rancho, using the adobe structures as headquarters. He farmed and raised beef cattle, supplying travellers [sic] and miners in the Potosi region.
Helen J. Steward, owner of the property from 1882 to 1902, expanded the ranch to 1,800 acres, which she sold to the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad for the Las Vegas townsite. The Company auctioned the land on May 15, 1905, starting the process of building the Las Vegas around you today.
Erected 2008 by National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and Nevada State Historic Preservation Office. (Marker Number 35.)
Location. 36° 10.819′ N, 115° 7.97′ W. Marker is in Las Vegas, Nevada, in Clark County. It is in Cultural Corridor Coalition. It can be reached from East Washington Avenue east of Las Vegas Boulevard North. The marker is located next to the parking lot of the visitors' center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 East Washington Avenue, Las Vegas NV 89101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Nevada’s Mojave Desert. It is also in the American Southwest and in the Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Las Vegas Mormon Fort
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2020, by Jacob Oscarson of Salt Lake City, Utah. This page has been viewed 816 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2020, by Jacob Oscarson of Salt Lake City, Utah. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
