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

Mary Dutton Park

Gateway to the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 26, 2011

1. Mary Dutton Park Marker

Inscription. The City of Las Vegas Mayor and City Council presents
An Art in Public Places Project by The City of Las Vegas Arts Commission
In celebration of the Las Vegas Centennial
Sculpture by Steven Liguori
"Breaking Ground"
This 14' high stainless steel sculpture depicts a surge of water and
1920's farm plow, symbolizing the fertility of the land.
Mary Dutton Park
Gateway to the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood
Dedicated April 11, 2005
In December 2001, the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Plan was adopted as a result of the participation of the dedicated residents of the John S. Park Neighborhood Association and Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese. The plan called for the enhancement of Mary Dutton Park, originally constructed in 1954, through the addition of desert landscaping, public art and a commemorative plaque.
Mary Dutton may not be as well known as other Las Vegas pioneers, but you will find her spirit in the streets and backyards of the John S. Park Neighborhood. Mrs. Dutton and her family moved from Lincoln, Nebraska, to southern Nevada in 1919 in search of a warmer climate. They farmed this land before

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the streets were paved with asphalt, bringing forth an abundance of produce for the community. In the gardens of many residents, you will find the soil still rich, the vegetables still growing and the flowers still blooming – a testament to the time when the Duttons made the desert bountiful.
City of Las Vegas Las Vegas City Council: Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese, Ward 3; Councilman Larry Brown, Ward 4; Councilman Lawrence Weekly, Ward 5; Councilman Michael Mack, Ward 6; Councilman Steve Wolfson, Ward 2; Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian, Ward 1 City Manager Douglas A Selby, Deputy City Managers: Betsy Fretwell, Steve Houchens
City of Las Vegas Arts Commission Chair: Dale Erquiaga, First Vice Chair: Kim Russell, Second Vice Chair: William Marion, Commissioners: Joshua Abbey, LeAnnette Carvarjal, Mary-Etta Sayles Clinton, Ronni Council, Nancy Deaner, Louisa McDonald, Vickie Richardson, Barbara Stout, Ben Torres

Erected 2005.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is April 11, 1931.

Location. 36° 9.528′ N, 115° 8.599′ W. Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 26, 2011

2. Mary Dutton Park Marker

A NRHP plaque for the John S. Park Historic District is embedded in the sidewalk at the base of the Mary Dutton Park marker.

is in Las Vegas, Nevada, in Clark County. It is in Downtown South. It is at the intersection of East Charleston Boulevard and South 8th Street, on the right when traveling east on East Charleston Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Las Vegas NV 89104, 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Wengert Mansion (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Huntridge Neighborhood (approx. 0.4 miles away); Original Homesite of a Las Vegas Pioneer: Charles 'Pop’ Squires (approx. 0.4 miles away); Votes for Women (approx. half a mile away); Las Vegas High School (approx. half a mile away); History of the "Senior Squares" (approx. half a mile away); Las Vegas High School / Las Vegas High

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 26, 2011

3. Mary Dutton Park Marker

School Neighborhood (approx. half a mile away); Ralph Louis Engelstad (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Las Vegas.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Historic 5th Street School (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

"Breaking Ground" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 26, 2011

4. "Breaking Ground"

Sculpture by Steven Liguori
This 14' high stainless steel sculpture depicts a surge of water and 1920's farm plow, symbolizing the fertility of the land.

NRHP Plaque for the John S. Park Historic District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 26, 2011

5. NRHP Plaque for the John S. Park Historic District

John S. Park Historic District
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
1931

John S. Park Historic District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 26, 2011

6. John S. Park Historic District

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,624 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 5, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.