Downtown Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Historic Preservation

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 26, 2011

1. Historic Preservation Marker

Inscription. Las Vegas was established as a railroad town in 1905; at the head of Fremont Street, the Mission-style depot represented the railroad's dominance over the economic and social life of the town for several decades. The streets of downtown were laid out parallel to the railroad tracks and not on a North/South grid. The building of Hoover Dam in the 1930s and the rise of the gambling industry in the 1940s and 1950s fueled spectacular growth in the Las Vegas Valley. With the growth came the loss of many of the town's early buildings. Some important buildings that have been lost include the Clark County Courthouse on Second Street (now Casino Center Boulevard), the ice plant on Main Street and the hospital on Eighth and Ogden. Historic preservation efforts have been successful for several properties, including the 5th Street School, the Las Vegas High School, the Old Mormon Fort and the Post Office and Federal Building. The preservation of Las Vegas' early buildings offers us a rare glimpse of our past in this rapidly changing city.

Erected 2005 by The Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 36° 10.107′ N, 115° 8.65′ W. Marker is in Las Vegas, Nevada, in Clark County. It is in Downtown Las Vegas. It is on South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is about half-way between Carson and Bridger Avenues. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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.

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Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Church Built in Las Vegas (within shouting distance of this marker); Manneken Pis (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Joan Of Arc (about 500 feet away); Neon / Atomic Testing (about 800 feet away); El Portal Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ralph Louis Engelstad (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chief Hotel Court (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fremont Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Las Vegas.

Other markers no longer nearby. County Courthouses (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); Von Tobel's Hardware Store (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 26, 2011

2. Historic Preservation Marker

<i>Rear of:</i> Historic Preservation Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 26, 2011

3. Rear of: Historic Preservation Marker

Photo on Historic Preservation Marker image. Click for full size.

4. Photo on Historic Preservation Marker

Photo Caption:
The Clark County Courthouse, built in 1914, was demolished in 1960.

circa 1938

5. Photo on Historic Preservation Marker

Written on photo: Las Vegas Hospital 8th and Ogden 1938 Dr Roy W. Martin in front
Photo Caption: The Las Vegas Hospital was open from 1931 to 1988, when it was destroyed by fire.

6. Photo on Historic Preservation Marker

Photo Caption:
The second ice plant lasted from 1907 to 1988, when it was destroyed by fire.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,066 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 4, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.