Who Named Las Vegas and when and why?

Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas! Is there anyone on earth who doesn't know the name? At the same time, is there anyone who wonders who named it, and when, and why or even what it means? Can you enlighten me -- and whoever else never thought to wonder about it!

Happy to oblige; enlightenment is our specialty.

In 1826, an experienced scout by the name of Rafael Rivera was traveling with a Mexican trading party in what was then an area of northern Mexico between the pueblos in Santa Fe and Los Angeles. Rivera discovered a shortcut along the route that had been blazed, piecemeal, by Spanish and Mexican explorers, trappers, and traders starting in the 1500s.

Rivera found a fresh-water spring that bubbled up to the surface from artesian aquifers that underlay a valley roughly 250 miles northeast of Los Angeles. A creek flowing from the pool at the top of the spring was bordered by lush grasslands and thickets of mesquite and inhabited by birds and small game. This discovery guaranteed the survival of future parties along the most difficult stretch on one of the most arduous trade routes ever established in the United States.

Of course, Southern Paiute had been camping at the springs for upwards of 700 years by then and archaeological evidence has shown that the springs received human visitors starting around 6000 BC. But Rivera was the first non-native to step foot in the valley that another Mexican trader, Antonio Armijo, leading a party that stopped there in 1829, named Las Vegas, "The Meadows."

The name stuck and when John C. Fremont passed through the valley of springs in 1844 on a cartography expedition, he put Las Vegas on the map.

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Comments

Kevin Lewis Jul-17-2019

But why HERE...

Some cities, you can tell right away by looking at the surroundings why they are there; Salt Lake City, Missoula, San Francisco. It's not so obvious with Las Vegas--as you drive along I-15 for hours through a sun-blasted, desolate wasteland, you get the impression that there shouldn't be any civilization at all. Then, BOOM--there's the sprawling mess of Vegas (admittedly, not actually civilization, but a reasonable simulacrum thereof).

Interesting to think of a time when Las Vegas was simply a lush desert oasis instead of a desert oasis for lushes. And the local Indians didn't charge a resort fee for you to stay there.

Ray Jul-17-2019

Tsk, tsk

Can you ever have display an informative answer without a snarky comment by Kevin Lewis? As I've said before, if he has such a terrible opinion about Las Vegas, why does he continue to go there and why does he continue to follow you and your advising?

[email protected] Jul-17-2019

Lighten up

Thanks for your input Kevin. I’ll have a cold one later with some other lushes.

Kevin Lewis Jul-17-2019

Sigh

Well, Ray, do you have any valuable input of your own? I always get a kick out of people criticizing things I say without having anything worthwhile of their own to offer.

You should follow rjb's advice: have a cold one. Vegas is a great place for a beer (or twelve).

Annie Jul-17-2019

Vegas then and now

Kevin Lewis wrote, "you drive along I-15 for hours through a sun-blasted, desolate wasteland, [...] Then, BOOM--there's the sprawling mess of Vegas"

That's what I loved about driving from L.A. to Las Vegas. It used not to be a sprawling mess. Robert Venturi, the influential architect, and Tom Wolfe among others, wrote about the visual excitement of the city in the desert that miraculously sprung up after WWll. Unfortunately, the builders didn't stop building. Now the Strip *is* a total mess. In more ways than one.

O2bnVegas Jul-17-2019

language guy

Kevin uses a lot of comedic irony, emphasizes human foibles and flaws in a humorous, and yes often snarky, way.  A lot of "if the show fits" kind of stuff which can be taken with a grain of salt or allow your toes to feel the pain of being stepped on.  I suspect he laughs at himself past or present in much of what he posts.  I've gone ape on him more than once, but, like a roadside accident, I have to look.  Could be a gem or two, or just a chuckle.  And who can't use a good chuckle now and then?

O2bnVegas Jul-17-2019

correction

Make that "if the shoe fits."  Though sometimes the show doesn't fit either.  LOL.

Kevin Lewis Jul-17-2019

If the show fits

Tip the usher so you get a good seat, that's what I say.

Candy, I've been compared to many things, but not a roadside accident. All I can say is, uh...thanks. :)

O2bnVegas Jul-17-2019

LOL Kevin

Ha ha ha ha.  Kevin, you know what I meant...I hope.  You do...right?

Love ya!

Question of the Day - 17 July 2019

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