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Las Vegas - Mormon Fort Historic Park

 Las Vegas translates to The Meadows in Spanish. It was named by Mexican scout and map maker Rafael Rivera, because of the grass that grew and dessert springs. It was used as a stopping point on the Old Spanish Trail, which was an trade route connecting Northern New Mexico settlements to California. In 1844 John Freemont arrived and wrote about Las Vegas, drawing many pioneers to the land. 

In 1855 Mormon missionaries built a fort to serve as a rest stop half way between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. It was an 150 foot adobe fort situated near a creek. Ownership went from the Mormons to a miner in 1865, to ranchers in 1881, and the Railroad in 1902. It still stands today and is also a museum with several early artifacts.



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