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| Las Vegas at a Glance |
Enjoying the Las Vegas Valley’s Unique Location
The city’s nightlife and legendary status as the “Entertainment Capital of the World” are well recognized. While that is a major draw for visitors, residents note other factors that set this region apart, mainly access to a great quality of life expressed through recreation and outdoor activities. As you establish your new life in Las Vegas, you’ll begin to explore the wide range of adventures that await your discovery. In this chapter, you’ll be introduced to the best of Las Vegas and the region, including events, sports, recreation, performance and visual arts, golf, attractions, religious affiliations and volunteer opportunities.
Entertainment Capital of the World is not a title that Las Vegas takes lightly; however, it is one that is far too frequently taken only at face value. One must be careful to not let the glitter and glamour of the Strip become blinding because you will miss all of the charm that truly defines Las Vegas.
Las Vegas is a city that embraces the arts, both performing and visual. It is a community that appreciates spectator sports and nurtures burgeoning sports teams. It is also home to people who share a love of the great outdoors and recognize the beauty embodied by the desert. Most importantly, Las Vegas is a community that cares for itself. Home to dozens of nonprofit organizations and charities, Las Vegas is indeed a beautiful place to call home.
HISTORY
Thousands of years ago Paleo-Indians lived as nomads, traveling and camping in different locations around present-day Las Vegas. Many artifacts have since been discovered and help tell the story of early Las Vegas.
In 1829, Rafael Rivera, a scout for a Mexican trading party, was headed to Los Angeles. On his way, he laid eyes on the valley and named it Las Vegas, Spanish for “the meadows.” During that time, parts of the Las Vegas Valley contained artesian wells that supported extensive green areas.
Established in 1905 between Southern California and Salt Lake City, Las Vegas began as a railroad town for travelers. The city was incorporated in 1911, and at the end of the 20th century, Las Vegas was the most populous American city founded in that century. In 1931, the Hoover Dam was being constructed and brought an influx of construction workers, which started a population boom. During World War II, a U.S. Air Force base and the defense industry established facilities to take advantage of the plentiful land and inexpensive energy. The legalization of gambling in 1931 led to the advent of the American organized-crime figures establishing the original casino hotels for which Las Vegas is famous. The city’s tolerance for various forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City. During the 1980s and 1990s, an unprecedented population growth occurred and Las Vegas took shape into the city you know today.
RELIGION
In a setting more known for entertainment and gaming, it may surprise newcomers to learn that Las Vegas has many more churches than casinos. Religion is as deeply rooted in Las Vegas as the sagebrush that colors the desert and the casinos that line the Strip. As early as 1855, Mormon settlers established a mission fort in the area with the intent of converting the local Indian population to the Mormon faith. Strained relations with the Indians and harsh climatic conditions led to the eventual failure of the mission only three years later. While the mission failed, the fort survived, and Las Vegas soon began to form. Today, approximately 5 percent of people living in the Las Vegas Valley are Mormon. By the early 1900s, the first Methodist church opened in Las Vegas, aptly named First Methodist. It was soon followed by Christ Church Episcopal and a Catholic church in 1908. The first Protestant services took place in 1910.
Today, places of worship can be found for many denominations and beliefs. According to city data, Clark County’s main religious affiliations are as follows: 47.5 percent Catholic; 16.4 percent Latter-Day Saints (Mormon); 32 percent other; and 14.2 percent Evangelical denominations.
Prior to relocating, it is always good to check with your local religious leaders to see if they may be able to recommend a place of worship in Las Vegas. Many religious organizations have networks that span across the country. If you have friends or family in the area who share your religious beliefs, also be sure to ask them for insight. As religious affiliation is a very intimate and personal matter, there are many things to consider when selecting your place of worship. For some people, proximity to their neighborhood is important. For others, the size of the congregation is a factor. Also important to consider are what additional religious and social services are provided. In Las Vegas, many places of worship also offer daycare, school, senior housing, faith-based bookstores and social halls. Whatever your religious affiliation may be, you will find an abundance of welcoming congregations throughout the valley. A comprehensive list of churches can be found on www.LVRelocationGuide.org.
VOTER PROFILE
Clark and Washoe Counties account for more than 87 percent of Nevada’s vote, making Southern Nevada a major influence in state and local politics. Clark County believes strongly in the clout its geographical area wields and states as its mission, “to provide responsible, progressive and results-oriented government that is responsive, accessible and accountable to our citizens, ensuring their right to cost-effective and open government.”
The city’s nightlife and legendary status as the “Entertainment Capital of the World” are well recognized. While that is a major draw for visitors, residents note other factors that set this region apart, mainly access to a great quality of life expressed through recreation and outdoor activities. As you establish your new life in Las Vegas, you’ll begin to explore the wide range of adventures that await your discovery. In this chapter, you’ll be introduced to the best of Las Vegas and the region, including events, sports, recreation, performance and visual arts, golf, attractions, religious affiliations and volunteer opportunities.
Entertainment Capital of the World is not a title that Las Vegas takes lightly; however, it is one that is far too frequently taken only at face value. One must be careful to not let the glitter and glamour of the Strip become blinding because you will miss all of the charm that truly defines Las Vegas.
Las Vegas is a city that embraces the arts, both performing and visual. It is a community that appreciates spectator sports and nurtures burgeoning sports teams. It is also home to people who share a love of the great outdoors and recognize the beauty embodied by the desert. Most importantly, Las Vegas is a community that cares for itself. Home to dozens of nonprofit organizations and charities, Las Vegas is indeed a beautiful place to call home.
HISTORY
Thousands of years ago Paleo-Indians lived as nomads, traveling and camping in different locations around present-day Las Vegas. Many artifacts have since been discovered and help tell the story of early Las Vegas.
In 1829, Rafael Rivera, a scout for a Mexican trading party, was headed to Los Angeles. On his way, he laid eyes on the valley and named it Las Vegas, Spanish for “the meadows.” During that time, parts of the Las Vegas Valley contained artesian wells that supported extensive green areas.
Established in 1905 between Southern California and Salt Lake City, Las Vegas began as a railroad town for travelers. The city was incorporated in 1911, and at the end of the 20th century, Las Vegas was the most populous American city founded in that century. In 1931, the Hoover Dam was being constructed and brought an influx of construction workers, which started a population boom. During World War II, a U.S. Air Force base and the defense industry established facilities to take advantage of the plentiful land and inexpensive energy. The legalization of gambling in 1931 led to the advent of the American organized-crime figures establishing the original casino hotels for which Las Vegas is famous. The city’s tolerance for various forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City. During the 1980s and 1990s, an unprecedented population growth occurred and Las Vegas took shape into the city you know today.
RELIGION
In a setting more known for entertainment and gaming, it may surprise newcomers to learn that Las Vegas has many more churches than casinos. Religion is as deeply rooted in Las Vegas as the sagebrush that colors the desert and the casinos that line the Strip. As early as 1855, Mormon settlers established a mission fort in the area with the intent of converting the local Indian population to the Mormon faith. Strained relations with the Indians and harsh climatic conditions led to the eventual failure of the mission only three years later. While the mission failed, the fort survived, and Las Vegas soon began to form. Today, approximately 5 percent of people living in the Las Vegas Valley are Mormon. By the early 1900s, the first Methodist church opened in Las Vegas, aptly named First Methodist. It was soon followed by Christ Church Episcopal and a Catholic church in 1908. The first Protestant services took place in 1910.
Today, places of worship can be found for many denominations and beliefs. According to city data, Clark County’s main religious affiliations are as follows: 47.5 percent Catholic; 16.4 percent Latter-Day Saints (Mormon); 32 percent other; and 14.2 percent Evangelical denominations.
Prior to relocating, it is always good to check with your local religious leaders to see if they may be able to recommend a place of worship in Las Vegas. Many religious organizations have networks that span across the country. If you have friends or family in the area who share your religious beliefs, also be sure to ask them for insight. As religious affiliation is a very intimate and personal matter, there are many things to consider when selecting your place of worship. For some people, proximity to their neighborhood is important. For others, the size of the congregation is a factor. Also important to consider are what additional religious and social services are provided. In Las Vegas, many places of worship also offer daycare, school, senior housing, faith-based bookstores and social halls. Whatever your religious affiliation may be, you will find an abundance of welcoming congregations throughout the valley. A comprehensive list of churches can be found on www.LVRelocationGuide.org.
VOTER PROFILE
Clark and Washoe Counties account for more than 87 percent of Nevada’s vote, making Southern Nevada a major influence in state and local politics. Clark County believes strongly in the clout its geographical area wields and states as its mission, “to provide responsible, progressive and results-oriented government that is responsive, accessible and accountable to our citizens, ensuring their right to cost-effective and open government.”
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