Las Vegas Springs | |
 The Desert Living Center rotunda at the Springs Preserve | |
| Location | Las Vegas, Nevada |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°10′22″N115°11′22″W / 36.17278°N 115.18944°W /36.17278; -115.18944 |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001719 |
| MARKER No. | 40[1] |
| Added to NRHP | December 14, 1978 |
TheLas Vegas Springs orBig Springs[2] is the site of a naturaloasis, known traditionally as acienega. For more than 15,000 years,springs broke through the desert floor, creatinggrassy meadows (calledlas vegas by Spanish New-Mexican explorers).[3] The bubbling springs were a source of water forNative Americans living here at least 5,000 years ago.[4] Known asThe Birthplace of Las Vegas it sustained travelers of theOld Spanish Trail andMormons who came to settle the West.[2] The springs' source is the Las Vegas aquifer.[5]
The springs are now a part of theLas Vegas Springs Preserve.
Las Vegas Springs was once the site of three springs, running into two large pools of water. It is a site historically known for a gathering of pioneers and Native Americans and early settlers in the Las Vegas Valley. In 1905, it provided the water source to the budding town and railroad. Once pipe lines were laid and wells were drilled, the water table dropped, and the springs stopped flowing to the surface in 1962. The site is currently undergoing rehabilitation to protect what remains architecturally and archaeologically.[6]
Now, it is 180 acres of historic land located just west of Downtown Las Vegas. It is open to the public.
The first non-Native American crossing Las Vegas Springs wasRaphael Rivera in 1829. He was the Mexican scout for the expedition ofAntonio Armijo who pioneered the Old Spanish Trail between New Mexico and California.[7] Later, American travelerJohn C. Fremont andKit Carson camped at the springs in 1844.[2] The springs stopped flowing to the surface in 1962[8] as thewater table dropped as more water was pumped out to meet the demands of a growing population than was being replaced byrainfall and snow melt.
Uncontrolled use of private wells and wasted water contributed to the early depletion of the aquifer. This forced theLas Vegas Land and Water Company to drill 'Well No. 1' in 1923[9] to supply the demands for water.
The springs and associated infrastructure have been listed on theNational Register of Historic Places since 1978[10] and are marked asNevada Historical Marker 40.
| Preceded by 39Panaca | Nevada Historical Markers 40 Las Vegas (The Meadows) | Succeeded by |