las vegas territory towns

Consider this a mini Tour Around Nevada, if you will, of 16 Southern Nevada burgs.

By CHARLIE JOHNSTON | January/February 2011

During a recent visit to Las Vegas, I had a conversation with a bartender that reminded me many people—even residents—are completely unaware that anything aside from sand and snakes exists outside of the Las Vegas Valley. “What brings you to town?” she asks. “A marathon in Mesquite,” I reply. Blank stare. She’s never heard of it. “It’s a town about 80 miles north on the 15,” I say. Still nothing. “New to town?” I ask. “No,” she says, seeming a little offended. “I’ve lived here a couple of years.”

It’s understandable that Southern Nevada’s smaller communities can be overlooked—they lay in the shadow of one of the world’s most ostentatious cities. But visitors and locals who pull their attention from the neon buzz for a stopover in any of these burgs will be glad they did.

MESQUITE

During the late 1800s, it took three groups of pioneers to establish a permanent settlement at Mesquite Flats. The frequent floods of the Virgin River drove out the first two groups. The clichéd third try turned out to be the charm when six families from nearby Bunkerville successfully subdued the river’s flooding in 1894. From its beginning, Mesquite, about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, has always been adjacent to a major southwestern thoroughfare, starting with the Old Spanish Trail and Mormon Trail, and continuing through today with Interstate 15. Tourism in the town saw substantial increases after the Interstate’s completion through Mesquite in the 1970s, and the town itself started to boom when it was incorporated in 1984. Today, more than 20,000 people call Mesquite home.

Like its Southern Nevada neighbor, Laughlin, Mesquite is renowned as an affordable retreat and snowbird getaway, and resorts such as CasaBlanca, Virgin River, and Eureka Casino offer all the amenities expected from a Nevada hotel-casino at a fraction of the cost of similar offerings in the state’s larger tourism centers. Golf is a big draw to the area, which boasts seven courses, and the sunny warm desert climate ensures that visitors and locals can hit the links most days of the year. CasaBlanca Spa is major draw to the city, and spa and room packages make the treatments more affordable than typical hotel mini-bars.

Warm winter months allow the city to entertain locals and guests with such events as the Mesquite Open Dutch Oven Cook-off, January 7-8, Mesquite Motor Mania classic car show and Smokin’ Big Chili Challenge, January 14-16, and Mesquite’s BransonFest Out West, February 7-10.

CONTACT

City of Mesquite
10 E. Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite
mesquitenv.com
702-346-5295

REFLECTIONS

Take note: Staying off the beaten path can get you four-star experiences and three-star prices. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom, private patio [Mesquite’s CasaBlanca corporate] bungalow is a steal if you split the cost with friends, and the luxury is something we could never afford if we were in a major city.

“Chick Trip”
Nevada Magazine, September/October 2008

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BLUE DIAMOND

Tiny Blue Diamond was founded in 1940 as a company town for the nearby Blue Diamond Gypsum Mine. The community of fewer than 300 is within the boundaries of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area about 20 miles west of Las Vegas. Its proximity to Red Rock Canyon and Spring Mountain Ranch State Park make it a history or outdoor enthusiast’s dream. “We’re outside of the lights and sounds of Las Vegas and right on the edge of Red Rock,” says Sheryl Fretwell, who moved to Blue Diamond from Summerlin five years ago. “It’s a tight-knit community and a great place to live.” While many similarly sized Nevada towns are devoid of services, Blue Diamond is home to a gas station and convenience store, bike shop, school, post office, and public library.

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BOULDER CITY

The once government-run town of Boulder City was established in 1931 to house Hoover Dam construction workers and their families. The burg was set to be dismantled after the dam was completed, but by that time, residents had grown very comfortable in Nevada’s answer to Mayberry. The friendly, orderly town remained under government control until it was officially incorporated in 1960.

Today, Boulder City is home to nearly 15,000 people. Though barely 20 miles from Las Vegas, the quaint city feels like a different planet—where local shops and charming homes dot the tree-lined streets and gambling is not permitted.

Some of Boulder City’s must-see attractions include the historic Boulder Dam Hotel bed and breakfast, the Boulder Dam Theatre, and Bicentennial Park, where festivals such as the 4th of July parade and Art in the Park are held.

No trip to Boulder City would be complete without a visit to the impetus for the town’s existence, nearby Hoover Dam, and the Nevada Southern Railroad Museum is among the finest tributes to trains in the state. If one day proves inadequate to explore Boulder City’s offerings—trust me, it is—consider Milo’s Inn at Boulder. The bed and breakfast includes a popular wine lounge and restaurant, Milo’s Cellar and Sidewalk Café. Other destinations for gastronomic gold include Boulder Dam Brewing Company, Tony’s Pizza, and from “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” fame, the World Famous Coffee Cup.

CONTACT

Boulder City Chamber of Commerce
465 Nevada Way, Boulder City
bouldercitychamberofcommerce.com
702-293-2034

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CAL-NEV-ARI

Founded in 1965 by pilots Nancy and Slim Kidwell, Cal-Nev-Ari—an abbreviation of California-Nevada-Arizona—is found 70 miles south of Las Vegas. Now home to 300-plus residents, Cal-Nev-Ari was once just a sign next to U.S. Highway 95 that read, “Cal-Nev-Ari, Population: 4 (Nancy, Slim, their dog and cat). Watch Us Grow.” In addition to Kidwell Airport, the entity that heralded the birth of the town, Cal-Nev-Ari now boasts a casino, restaurant, motel, RV park, and convenience store.
In summer 2010, the outpost went up for sale. The price tag?
A cool $17 million.

CONTACT

Cal-Nev-Ari
calnevari.net
702-870-7171

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GOODSPRINGS

A saloon near the end of the pavement on a lightly traveled state highway might not seem like most people’s idea of a destination, but a closer look at Goodsprings will convince you it is worth the 34-mile drive from Las Vegas. The early-1900s mining town is home to one of Nevada’s quirkiest watering holes, the Pioneer Saloon. The bar dates to 1913 and stands as an artifact-filled time capsule of the town’s history.

The Goodsprings General Store, next door, has many interesting souvenirs to commemorate your visit, plus meats and other grilling accoutrements to barbecue on the saloon’s backyard grills. No visit to Goodsprings would be complete without a stop at the schoolhouse. Built in 1913, it is among Southern Nevada’s oldest schools and on the National Register of Historic Places.

CONTACT

Pioneer Saloon
310 W. Spring St., Goodsprings
pioneersaloon.info
702-874-9362

REFLECTIONS

...the Pioneer Saloon offers a chance for a cold drink and human contact. Inside the saloon…old chandeliers cast a dim light on the dark interior. A brass foot rail runs the length of the mahogany bar, and a four-drawer antique cash register rests on the cherry-wood back bar. Red Christmas bulbs illuminate neat rows of dusty liquor bottles.

“Almost A Ghost Town”
Nevada Magazine, August 1985

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HENDERSON

The southern part of the Las Vegas Valley has been inhabited since about 1910 when the Jericho Ranch was founded near the present-day intersection of Boulder Highway and Lake Mead Parkway. During the construction of Hoover Dam, the area—known as Midway for its position between Las Vegas and Boulder City—supported an amalgam of tents and shacks occupied largely by jobless families.

In the early 1940s, the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant in support of the war breathed new life into the area and Basic Townsite was born. When WWII ended, the need for magnesium sharply decline and the plant closed, heralding an exodus of the company town. Despite the departure of so many residents, the town held on, and the City of Henderson was officially incorporated in 1953. In the following 50-plus years, Henderson’s population exploded at a rate rivaling that of any other city in the southwest, and it is today the second-largest city in the state with more than 270,000 residents.

Often pigeonholed as “Las Vegas metropolitan area,” Henderson is in fact a thriving community all its own and home to some of the most desirable, upscale neighborhoods in the southwest such as Anthem, Green Valley, and Lake Las Vegas. The city has the most extensive network of parks and recreational facilities in Southern Nevada, and major casino-resorts such as Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa, Aston MonteLago Village Resort, Loews Lake Las Vegas, Lake Las Vegas Resort, M Resort Spa Casino, and Sunset Station are on par with anything offered on the Las Vegas Strip.

Henderson’s proximity to Lake Mead National Recreation Area provides countless options for fun under the sun, and more than 57 miles of urban trails earned it billing as one of America’s best walking cities in Prevention magazine in 2007.

CONTACT

City of Henderson Department of Cultural Arts and Tourism
200 Water St., Henderson
hendersonlive.com
702-267-2171

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INDIAN SPRINGS

The Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, built in 1942 as a gunnery range for nearby Las Vegas Army Air Field, heralded the birth of the community of Indian Springs. The town of about 1,300 residents is named for a nearby artesian spring. For its entire history, Indian Springs has been tied directly to the base, now called Creech Air Force Base. About 50 miles north of Las Vegas on U.S. Highway 95, Indian Springs houses employees of Creech and the nearby state prison and supports Indian Springs Casino, a motel, restaurant, RV park, and a couple of gas stations.

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JEAN

Jean was born near the beginning of the 20th century when ore from nearby Goodsprings was transported there to be loaded onto trains. Originally called Goodsprings Junction, the name was changed in 1905 to Jean by the postmaster in honor of his wife. The town is about 27 miles southwest of Las Vegas on Interstate 15. The Gold Strike Hotel and Gambling Hall is more or less the only business in Jean today and offers comfortable hotel rooms, Nevada-style entertainment, and four restaurants.

CONTACT

Gold Strike Hotel and Gambling Hall
goldstrikejean.com
800-634-1359

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LAUGHLIN

In the mid-to-late 1940s, the South Pointe Bar and Motel occupied a lonely spot on the Nevada shore of the Colorado River across from Bullhead City, Arizona. Construction workers from Davis Dam frequented the establishment until the dam was completed in 1951, and South Pointe fell into disrepair. In 1964, Don Laughlin saw an opportunity for a resort destination along the river and purchased the land to build his Riverside Resort. Laughlin recommended the names “Riverside” and “Casino,” but the postal inspector instead named the town for its founder.

Today, the narrow piece of land supports a mini-Strip of eight high-rise casino-resorts and attracts almost 3 million annual visitors. The city of about 9,300 residents is renowned among tourists for its comfortable wintertime temperatures—typically into the 60s—and affordable lodging, food, and entertainment. “The biggest [draw] is that prices are a quarter of what they charge in Vegas,” Laughlin says. “We’ve got a view of the Colorado River, good lounge entertainment, and a down-home atmosphere.”

In addition to Vegas-style gaming and entertainment, the city takes full advantage of the Colorado River with tours, dinner cruises, private beaches, and high-speed water sports.

CONTACT

Laughlin Visitor Information Center
1555 Casino Dr., Laughlin
visitlaughlin.com
702-298-3022

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MOAPA VALLEY

The Moapa Valley is home to the four communities of Glendale, Logandale, Moapa, and Overton. Before Mormon pioneers settled the area around the Muddy River for farming in the 1800s, the valley was home to ancient American Indian populations as early as 350 B.C. The rich history of these cultures can be explored at the Lost City Museum in Overton and nearby Valley of Fire State Park.

The burgs enjoy a friendly small-town vibe and a refreshingly rural atmosphere. Their proximity to Valley of Fire and Lake Mead make the towns ideal base camps for adventures into both parks. Prior to the creation of Lake Mead, the valley included the town of St. Thomas, which was flooded by the lake in 1938. Almost 5,800 people call the valley and its four towns home, and locals and visitors alike favor annual events such as the Clark County Fair and Rodeo in April and the Pomegranate Art Festival in November.

CONTACT

Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce
moapavalley.com

REFLECTIONS

The Moapa Valley in Southern Nevada is known as one of the finest bottomless treasure chests of ancient history. When you start digging, archeologists say, call us right away. Residents of Overton and Logandale have found ancient burial in their yards, and farmers pick up broken pottery in their fields along the Muddy River.

“Lost City”
Nevada Magazine, No. 3 1976

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NORTH LAS VEGAS

Born in 1917, North Las Vegas prospered in the 1920s and early ’30s as a haven for bootleggers and grew a reputation as a lawless, rough place. Originally called Vegas Verde, the community, like its neighbor on the south side of Las Vegas, Henderson, attracted a large number of out-of-work families who lived in tents and shacks. The opening of Las Vegas Army Airfield—now Nellis Air Force Base—in 1941 brought good news to North Las Vegas with new construction of homes and services to support the expanding base. The city incorporated in 1946 with a population of nearly 2,900.

The city followed the trend of other Las Vegas Valley communities in the following five decades with enormous growth. Estimates of North Las Vegas’ current population range as high as 224,000, making it the state’s third-largest city. In addition to supporting Nellis and many of its 12,000 employees, the city is home to resorts such as Aliante Station Casino and Hotel, Cannery Casino and Hotel, and Fiesta Rancho Casino Hotel—all on par with the offerings found in the resorts of the Strip but without the more frenetic pace of Las Vegas Boulevard.

CONTACT

City of North Las Vegas
2200 Civic Center Dr., North Las Vegas
cityofnorthlasvegas.com

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PRIMM

Tourists driving to Nevada from Southern California on Interstate 15 recognize Primm as the unofficial gateway to Las Vegas. The border town—known as State Line until 1996—traces its beginnings to a 1920s gas station in the same location on the border. One of Primm’s resorts, Whiskey Pete’s, is named for the old station’s owner, a well-known bootlegger of the era. The town of about 1,100 is centered on Whiskey Pete’s and two other resorts (Primm Valley Casino Resort and Buffalo Bill’s), two golf courses, and the popular mall, Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas. The Desperado rollercoaster at Buffalo Bill’s is one of the tallest in North America with a 225-foot drop, and the Star of the Desert Arena attracts top-notch entertainment.

CONTACT

Terrible’s Primm Valley Casino Resorts
primmvalleyresorts.com
800-386-7867

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SEARCHLIGHT

The far-southern Nevada town of Searchlight’s biggest claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Long before the Senator called Searchlight home, the town came to be following the late-1890s discovery of gold in the region. Searchlight boomed around 1902 and reached a population of about 1,500 by 1907, roughly twice as many residents as still-unincorporated Las Vegas claimed during the same time. When the mines failed, the population dwindled, but the town held on as a stop along the Arrowhead Highway and later thanks to its proximity to Hoover Dam.

Today, Searchlight is home to nearly 600 residents. Services are typical of like-sized towns: there is a motel, historic museum, senior citizens center, post office, elementary school, and a couple of churches. The town’s proximity to Lake Mohave at Cottonwood Cove and location about halfway between Las Vegas and Laughlin are its main draws.