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.
Historic Preservation. . 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.
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′
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W. Marker is in Las Vegas, Nevada, in Clark County. It is in Downtown Las Vegas. Marker 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.
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 711 times since then and 40 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.
