Mormon Fort

There is an irony in the fact that the oldest intact building in Sin City was originally founded by Mormons. However, long before Las Vegas was known for gambling, it was merely a watering hole on the Old Spanish Trail between New Mexico and California.

When Mormons settled in Utah in the 1840s, the trail gained newfound importance connecting them to the nearest seaport. As such, in 1855 they built an adobe (mudbrick) fort at Las Vegas Springs to provide security and a stop on the route.

The fort's settlers, who were civilians, attempted to make a living by farming and mining lead. However, both of these turned out to be disappointments, and the fort was abandoned in 1857 after less than two years.

Afterwards, it went through a variety of uses, including a store, ranch, actual military fort, and even a concrete testing laboratory for the Hoover Dam. Thanks to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, the Mormon fort has been saved from destruction and was reconstructed as a state park.