September 2004

Prehistoric times in Southern Nevada
Prehistoric Southern Nevada was a virtual marsh of abundant water and vegetation. As eons passed, the marsh receded. Rivers disappeared beneath the surface and the once teeming wetlands evolved into a parched, arid landscape that supported only the hardiest of plants and animals. The water is now trapped in a complicated network of geological formations in the Las Vegas Valley. Sporadically water surfaces to nourish plants. This creates an oasis in the desert while at the same time the life giving water flows to the Colorado River. In 1993, construction workers discovered the remains of a Columbian mammoth that roamed the area during prehistoric times. Paleontologists estimate the bones to be 8,000 to 15,000 years old.

Who Was Here First?
Hidden for centuries from all but Native Americans, the Las Vegas Valley oasis was protected from discovery by the surrounding harsh and unforgiving Mojave Desert.

Who is Rafael Rivera?
In 1830, the exact date is unknown, Rafael Rivera became the first known European to set foot inside the “oasis-like” Las Vegas Valley. Las Vegas means "the meadows" in Spanish. Las Vegas was founded as a city on May 15, 1905 when 110 acres of land was auctioned off. This area is situated between Stewart Avenue on the north and Garces Avenue to the south with Main Street to the west, and 5th Street (Las Vegas Boulevard) to the east. Las Vegas was founded May 15, 1905, and incorporated on March 16, 1911. This was the start of Las Vegas as a metropolitan area. The city now covers 84.272 square miles.

McCarran International Airport Facts
McCarran is ranked 8th busiest in the world by the Airports Council in Washington, D.C.-It serves 51 air carriers including: -24 scheduled airlines -2 helicopter services -8 commuter airlines -17 charter airlines-On Average 980 flights a day come through McCarran International Airport!!-It is 1 mile (1.6 km.) from the Strip and five miles (3 km) from Downtown.-There are direct flights to 58 U.S. cities. -One European city.-It has a 1.3 million square-foot terminal. -The airport covers 2,820 acres. -5,000 cars per day use parking facilities.-There is a tram to some terminals.-Moving pedestrian walkways.-International signage. About Clark County.

IT IS A FACT…
-Between 4,000 and 6,000 people move into Clark County monthly.-In 1999, 33.8 million people visited Las Vegas while in 2000 the number rose to 35.8 million; more than 3.8 million of those were convention delegates.
-In 2000 there were 124,270 hotel/motel rooms available.
-Clark County was created on Feb. 5, 1908.
(Its name honors William A. Clark, the U.S. senator from Montana who built the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad.
-The county covers 7,881 square miles, which is comparable to the area of Massachusetts.

Nevada
-Nevada means "snowcapped" in Spanish.
-It was admitted to the union in 1864.
-Nevada’s nickname is the "Battle Born State."
-We are the seventh largest state in terms of square miles, but rank 38th in population.

South Coast Casino
Recently construction has started on two new casinos serving Las Vegas residents. Coast Casinos broke ground on the South Coast Casino. South Coast Casino is located on Las Vegas Boulevard about 10 minutes south of Mandalay Bay. South Coast Station will feature a 4,000-seat equestrian events center and is scheduled to open in Fall 2005. The other property mentioned is the Red Rock Station Casino. Both are operated by Station Casinos, the “locals” category killer in Las Vegas. Red Rock Station is part of a master planned/mixed-use development, which is located off the I-215 beltway at Charleston. Red Rock Station is scheduled to open in Spring 2006.

Silverado Ranch gets Freeway access in 200?
Clark County plans to improve access to Interstate 15 with an interchange at Silverado Ranch Boulevard. Officials are gauging public opinion to the project. Estimated cost?…12 million dollars. Construction could begin within three years. A study conducted several years ago by the Nevada Department of Transportation recommended construction of a few freeway interchanges. Those could be at Silverado Ranch Boulevard, Cactus Avenue, and Starr Avenue.