A few years back we had been to Springs Preserve and they told us this that
was where Las Vegas was started but the rangers here told us they talked to
them and set it straight, Las Vegas Fort is where it started. The
president of the Mormon Church, Brigham Young, sent a company of men to
establish a colony at Las Vegas. The site was selected because it was on a
stream and was half way between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. They arrived
on June 14, 1855 and on June 18th started to build the fort. I wonder if he
started the first casinos.. hmmm
click photo to enlarge
The fort was surrounded by walls 14 feet high. Like many Mormon settlements
it was built to protect the settlers from any Indian attacks. The
fort never had any actual military troops. This is the only U.S. state park
located in a city that actually houses the first building ever built in that
city.
click photo to enlarge
I find it kind of ironic that Las Vegas, Sin City, was founded by Mormons
who don't even drink. The building was listed on the National Register of
Historic Places on February 1, 1972. The first Mormon settlement of this
nature we ever saw is at Pipe Spring National Monument on the Arizona strip
lands. It was build over and around a natural spring to protect the water
source.
