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 Old Mormon Fort - Las Vegas, NV Posted by:  jiggs11
N 36° 10.834 W 115° 08.031
11S E 667816 N 4005589
Marker denoting the history of Old Mormon Fort State Park in downtown Las Vegas.
Waymark Code: WMV2WP
Location: Nevada, United States
Date Posted: 02/14/2017
Views: 11
One of many markers put up for the Las Vegas Centennial in 2005. This one recounts the history of the Old Mormon Fort, the first non-native building and settlement in the Las Vegas valley. The marker is accessible from the parking lot. You do not have to enter the park buildings ($1/person), but it is well worth the time. The Marker is #15 on the Las Vegas Pioneer Trail. The website for the Trail may be found here: ( visit link)
Marker Title (required): Old Mormon Fort
Marker Text (required):
After founding Salt Lake City in 1847, the
Mormon Church expanded its settlement
westward. The Las Vegas Mission was
established in June, 1855 as an outpost
roughly halfway between Salt Lake City and
Southern California. built alongside the
Las Vegas Creek, 30 missionaries
constructed a 150 square foot adobe fort.
This was the first non-native building and
settlement in the Las Vegas valley. A part
of the original 1855 wall remains
and is the oldest extant building
remnant in Nevada. The Mormons
taught new farming techniques and
religion to the local Paiutes. Lead
was discovered in the nearby
mountains, but the mining effort
proved unsuccessful. By 1857 the
Mission was abandoned because of
dissension among the leaders, the
summer climate and a
deteriorating relationship with
the Paiutes.In 1865 Octavius D.
Gass developed a ranch on the
site and provided food for
travelers and nearby mining
communities. In 1881, the
property passed to Archibald
and Helen J. Stewart.
Although Archibald was killed
in a gunfight in 1884, Helen
continued to operate the ranch,
raising their five children,
and providing rest and comfort
for travelers.
In 1902 she sold the ranch, the
surrounding land, and the water
rights to the San Pedro, Los
Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad.
On her former land in 1905, the
new town of Las Vegas was born.
In 1972 the Old Fort was placed
on the National Register of
Historic Places. The site is now
part of the Nevada State Park
system.
County (required): Clark (Las Vegas)
Marker Type (required): Other (describe below)
Other Marker Type (optional): City of Las Vegas Centennial Marker
Is Marker Damaged? (required): No
URL - Website (optional): [Web Link]
Marker Number (If official State Marker from NV SHPO website above, otherwise leave blank): Not Listed
Other Damage Type (optional): Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
- The marker must be visited in order to log a Waymark
- Pictures are optional, however, if adding a picture try to include one of a different perspective (e.g. different
angle/season/lighting etc.)
- Add any personal experience or research information that would enhance the history of the marker.
- Thanks!
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