Why Isn't Las Vegas the Capital of Nevada?

I just got back from a trip to Northern Nevada where I spent a couple days in Carson City. I don't understand it. Carson City is a fraction of the size of Las Vegas, but is still the state capital. State capitals are moved all the time, so why hasn't Nevada moved the capital to where all the people, money, and action are?

Several reasons.

For one, Carson City has been the capital of Nevada since Day One and all of the political, administrative, and legal power was concentrated within its confines long before southern Nevada was even part of the state.

In addition, we're not convinced that political power should be centered in the same place that all the people and money are. In fact, it might be the exact opposite (but that's beyond the scope of this answer).

Finally, in all of our study of Nevada history, we can't recall ever coming across any inclination, to say nothing of a grass-roots movement, by Las Vegans wanting their city to become the capital of Nevada.

Nor should it, in our opinion. It's good that southern Nevadans with state business have to tear themselves away from the magnetic field that's Las Vegas to see how the northern part of the state lives.

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Comments

doufous Mar-13-2022

They do not move all the time

The last state to move its capital city was Oklahoma, which moved its capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City shortly after obtaining statehood in 1910

Ray Mar-13-2022

As doufous said

I wondered about the statement that "State capitals are moved all the time" and I thank doufous for actually knowing. And as far as largest cities being the capital, just in the midwest I can say Springfield Illinois, Madison Wisconsin, Frankfurt Kentucky, Lansing Michigan, Jefferson City Missouri and out east you can add Harrisburg PA Albany New York etc.

VegasROX Mar-13-2022

Capitol moves??

Some questions and their intentionally misleading statements with no basis in fact..smh...but, it happens all the time. Read any forums, here or Facebook, just toss an answer without knowing if it's true or not. Thanks for doing the legwork, doubts, and hopefully that answer is correct 😉

VegasROX Mar-13-2022

Correction

Was supposed to be doufous and not doubts. Wish this section allowed for edits!!

[email protected] Mar-13-2022

Ray

Actually, I think the largest city being the state capital is the exception rather than the rule.  I think that Phoenix, Denver, Hartford, Atlanta, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Boston, Oklahoma City, Providence, Nashville, and Salt Lake City may be the entire list, although there are a couple of others where I'm not sure whether or not they are the largest city in the state (e.g, Columbus may have passed Cleveland and Cincinnati by now).  Still, a pretty small number of the 50 states.

Bumbug Mar-13-2022

Add West Virginia

You can add West Virginia to the list of states where the largest city, Charleston, is the capital. In Virginia, where I live, Richmond was the largest city until a few decades ago when Virginia Beach grew larger.

Jeffrey Small Mar-13-2022

Too Much Power

As a matter of policy I don't think the state capital should be the largest city.  Too much economic power is already concentrated there.  The politicians need to leave their districts and escape to a "neutral" location away from local influence.  By the way, the smallest state capital is Montpellier, Vermont. Those deprived legislators-- It is also the only state capital without a McDonalds!

Thomas Dikens Mar-13-2022

Old West Poker

If one takes old west Movies and TV literally, it seems that there was a  poker game going on in  every saloon.  Was Poker actually that common?  What variant was popular in the old west?  Stud and three card draw?

Jon Anderson Mar-13-2022

State Capitals

Austin is Texas' state capital and it's nowhere near the largest city in Texas...Houston and Dallas to name a couple...San Antonio might be larger too but i'm too lazy to do any research...thx LVA  for all you do and Anthony and Andrew, keep up the very enjoyable podcasts...you guys really do have fun with it and it shows...

thebeachbum Mar-13-2022

Texas Has Been Around

What were the capitals of Texas before Austin?
Republic of Texas
Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas, March 1, 1836 to March 17, 1836.
Harrisburg, Texas, March 21 to April 1836.
Velasco, Texas, April 1836 to September 1836.
Columbia, Texas, October 1836, first capital of the elected government of the Republic of Texas.
Houston, Texas, 1837 to 1839.

Llew Mar-13-2022

Harrisburg

Ray, Harrisburg is not even close to the two largest cities in PA, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.  There are probably a couple of others, too, but like Jon, I’m too lazy to research it. 🙂

Jackie Mar-13-2022

@tdikens Old west poker

Was 5 card draw only.
The other version came much later.

Question of the Day - 13 March 2022

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