Why Isn't Las Vegas the Capital of Nevada

Why isn't Las Vegas the capital of Nevada? I mean, I know a little Nevada history. Carson City was the territorial capital and became the state capital decades before Las Vegas even existed, but somewhere along the way, it seems to me that the capital would have moved to the biggest and most important city in the state. You can't even fly in to Carson City! Why didn't Las Vegas just take over?

As you say, Carson City had been the capital of Nevada since Day One and it had concentrated all the political and administrative power within its confines long before southern Nevada was even part of the state.

Actually, Carson City was indisputably destined to become the seat of the Silver State, as anyone familiar with its founding can attest (you can read that story in a blog post on this site from a couple of years ago). And it's probable that Carson City’s destiny is so strong, it’ll remain the capital for the near and far future.

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).

In our reading of Nevada history, we've can't recall ever coming across any inclination, to say nothing of a grass-roots movement, of Las Vegas wanting 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.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?

Have a Question?

Tomorrow's Question

Has Clark County ever considered legalizing prostitution?

Comments

[email protected] Aug-22-2019

NYC

Also, think about Albany vs NYC. And there are other examples across the US...

Dave Aug-22-2019

Move it? Why?

Why move?

Yeah, Vegas is the population, financial and tourist capital, why also insist it be the political capital?

How many states can claim that the state capital is the population, financial OR tourist capital?

And airport? Reno Tahoe International is less than 30 miles away. Hell, Carson City is closer to it than Tahoe! Also, there is the small Carson City regional airport.

Doug Bergman Aug-22-2019

Separation in most States

Sacramento, CA
Springfield IL
Austin TX
Tallahassee FL
Albany NY

Etc. All are far from being the largest cities of their respective States
Also
Washington DC, USA;
Ottawa, Canada; etc.

Aug-22-2019

Michigan

Detroit was at one time the capital of Michigan but was changed in 1857 to Lansing.  The reason was that it was too close to Windsor, Ontario and that Lansing was more centrally located.

Kevin Lewis Aug-22-2019

The Republican party--what else

Nevada was admitted to the Union in 1864 despite only having about 10,000 people, when the ostensible minimum for statehood was 60,000. But the Republican party wanted additional senators to pass an anti-slavery bill and to help get Lincoln re-elected--so statehood was passed with indecent haste, a week before the 1864 elections.
Also, the federal government was having trouble financing the Civil War. It didn't have the powers of taxation in a territory that it would have had in a state, and the silver mines of the Comstock were in full swing. So hooray, you're a state, now load that ore on an eastbound railroad car, please.
Carson City was the epicenter of all this. It was also the largest city in the state at the time. So unlike other states, the capital was placed where the action was. 
Nowadays, rural Nevada is red, to the extent that it elects Republicans even if they're dead (really!), while Vegas is blue. The pols in CC aren't about to let go of the leverage they have.

[email protected] Aug-22-2019

Reno?

I have wondered why it is not Reno?

Jackie Aug-22-2019

Wow Kevin

and you don't want to make a movie about the bad guys in Vegas (AKA casino owners).  You know soooo much.  Hey- - - Got a title for you "Vegas Mob Got Taken Over By The White Collar MOB".  Now tell me that won't sell!

Llew Aug-22-2019

Others

Harrisburg, PA
Annapolis, MD
Dover, DE
Tallahassee, FL
Baton Rouge, LA
Etc. 
Probably more capitals that are NOT "largest cities" than capitals that are.  

Besides, who needs more traffic, buildings, people, etc. in Las Vegas?

ClarkKent Aug-22-2019

State Capital

Another example, Raleigh is the capital of NC, but Charlotte is the largest city. While some states have moved their capital to other cities, most states would rather keep the capital where it currently resides. Tradition and whatnot.

[email protected] Aug-22-2019

Location

Most state capitals are fairly centrally located in the states.  While there are some exceptions (Juneau) this is the general situation.

Question of the Day - 22 August 2019

Comments