North Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Bench of Unknown Souls
West Side Las Vegas Black Community Burial Ground
Photographed by Mark Moxley-Knapp, April 20, 2025
1. Bench of Unknown Souls
In memory of the unknown African American souls interred beneath this segregated sod and those reinterred here from Owens Street.
Rest in peace
Prior to 1939 out of the way plots for Black residents were chosen by cemetery management. The West Side Las Vegas Black community petitioned the city for the right to choose their own plots, as a resolution from the city council stated that Black residents were able to choose a section for the exclusive burials of Blacks.
This monument has been financed in whole or in part with funds from the Commission for Las Vegas Centennial and the Las Vegas Historic Preservation Commission.
Erected 2018 by Commission for Las Vegas Centennial and the Las Vegas Historic Preservation Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.
Location. 36° 11.289′ N, 115° 7.837′ W. Marker is in North Las Vegas, Nevada, in Clark County. It can be reached from Foremaster Lane near Las Vegas Boulevard North. Marker is towards back of cemetery, close to Owens Ave. But cemetery entrance is only on Foremaster Lane. Marker is along back roadway of cemetery,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Mojave Desert and in Greater Las Vegas. 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: Woodlawn Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Woodlawn Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Las Vegas Paiute Colony (approx. half a mile away); Old Mormon Fort (approx. half a mile away); First Las Vegas Post Office (approx. half a mile away); The Las Vegas Mormon Fort (approx. half a mile away); Helen Jane Wiser Stewart (approx. half a mile away); Las Vegas Fort (approx. 0.6 miles away).
Photographed by Mark Moxley-Knapp, April 20, 2025
2. Bench of Unknown Souls
Photographed by Mark Moxley-Knapp, April 20, 2025
3. Bench of Unknown Souls
Photographed by Mark Moxley-Knapp, April 20, 2025
4. Bench of Unknown Souls
Photographed by Mark Moxley-Knapp, April 20, 2025
5. Bench of Unknown Souls
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2025, by Mark Moxley-Knapp of Columbus, Ohio. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 23, 2025, by Mark Moxley-Knapp of Columbus, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
