The Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park
Where Las Vegas Began.
Welcome. We are
Friends
of The Fort
Organized to support the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park and to advance awareness of The Old Fort and its contribution to the birth of the City of Las Vegas.
About The Old Fort
In the Mojave Desert, at the Southern end of the U.S. State of Nevada, a lush, verdant valley emerged from the spring-fed waters of a creek that flowed through what is now known as the Las Vegas Valley landform.
Parts of this landform, a 600 square mile basin surrounded by mountains on all sides, exploded with vegetation, in stark contrast to the surrounding browns of the desert. So much so that, in 1829, Rafael Rivera, a scout in the party of a Mexican trader, named the area The Meadows; or Las Vegas in Spanish.
In 1844, John C. Fremont labeled it Las Vegas Springs on his maps of the area. The first homesteader, Octavius Gass, called his home Los Vegas Rancho.
For more details, check out our History Page.
Las Vegas Roots
It’s not often that a community has access to its hometown roots in the way that Las Vegas residents do. We can pinpoint exact locations where the beginnings of our city were forged, and you can visit those locations.
While many of The Old Fort walls and buildings have succumbed to the wear and tear of the desert weather, conflicts, and remodeling, there are places in the park where the original adobe bricks are still intact. Expert craftspeople have also restored a large amount of the fort based on historical records.
If you have never been to the The Old Fort, or it’s been awhile, you owe it to yourself and your family to immerse yourself in the experience of what was, and see firsthand how it all began.
A Beloved Community Resource
Formerly a bastion of defense, The Old Fort now lives on as a bastion of history and community resources. You can experience The Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park in many ways, including a simple visit to the grounds to bask in the energy of its rich history, hearing the soft, distant footsteps of pioneers and soldiers, watching as Southern Paiute peoples and Mormons traded and laughed together, or experiencing the commanding voice of Helen Jane Wiser Stewart as she managed the Los Vegas Rancho and its properties.
Present-day visitors can expect to see and even touch artifacts and buildings from over 165 years ago, attend lectures on topics relating to the former inhabitants and the region, experience hands-on activities that would have been done by the pioneers such as blacksmithing, and have fun at the indigenous peoples’ market.
Keep an eye on our Events section here or visit our Facebook Events page to see what’s coming up. We also recommend that you Subscribe to The Fortress, the official newsletter of Friends of The Fort.
Upcoming Events
Use the Right and Left Arrows Below to View More Events
More Details and Registration Links
Get Involved
You can get your hands dirty, contribute to the cause, or help out in other ways. Let us know what things you’d like to do to contribute to the legacy of The Old Fort.
Participate
Contribute your skills and knowledge to the legacy of The Old Fort. Our volunteers help with grounds tasks, minor repairs, and staffing our many events held throughout the year. Click for details.
Become a Member
Become a Friend of The Fort and support the collective mission directly through your membership purchase. Members receive preferential consideration at some events. Click for details.
Buy A Brick
For a limited time, you can purchase a Legacy Brick inscribed with your own message and laid on the grounds under the Where Las Vegas Began sign. Hurry, there’s limited space in the reserved brick area.
Donate to the Cause
Donations and memberships help us bring programs and manage our volunteer staff. If you would like to make a donation, scan the QR code below with your phone or click anywhere here for details.
Reviews
Check out what people are saying about their experiences at The Old Fort. We also invite you to write your own review.
Contact Us
Need to get in contact with Friends of The Fort? Got a question or a comment to share privately? Fill out the form below.
Note that messages sent from here go to Friends of The Fort staff and not Nevada State Parks staff. To email park staff, visit the Nevada State Parks website.