Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort SHP

   This is the site of a small community established in 1855 as a way station for Mormon travelers. It lasted less than two years due to infighting and problems with the Piute Indians. After the Mormons left, the buildings and land were used for ranching until 1902 when the railroad bought it for the water rights and started the growth of new Las Vegas.

   The site consists of a small visitor center with displays and a short movie; the grounds of the fort with partial reconstructions; and an adobe building that was the old visitor center and has displays with more historical information. The visitor center and movie are accessible. The grounds of the fort are hard packed sandy dirt. There’s a sandy ramp from the visitor center to the fort area. The ground in the fort area is a little uneven. Wheelchair users may need some help. The old visitor center has slightly uneven thresholds and a very steep ramp inside between two rooms but all of the displays can be viewed by using both entrance doors and avoiding the ramp.

    The parking lot is large enough for vans or very short RVs. We parked next door at the Cashman Center – large lot and free when there aren’t any events. Fort
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