North Las Vegas
The city of North Las Vegas is the fifth fastest-growing city in the nation. There are currently 137,391 people living in the 78 square miles that make up the city. The estimated build-out for North Las Vegas will take until the year 2020. By then there will be an estimated 511,812 residents.
Nellis Air Force Base is located in the northeast corner of the valley. The base has been there since 1941 when only 14,000 people inhabited the city of Las Vegas. Nellis AFB is still one of Las Vegas’ primary employers. Nellis also offers an outstanding relocation program for new recruits called Operation Smooth Move. Newcomers are provided information on neighborhoods, schools, local activities and other helpful information. If someone new needs to borrow appliances while they get settled in they are available from the Loan Closet. There is even a daycare that provides 40 hours of free service. Nellis Air Force Base is an important part of North Las Vegas and is home to many senior citizens who were once stationed at the air force base.
The oldest standing structure in Nevada is the Old Mormon Fort. It was built in North Las Vegas in 1855. William Bringhurst and 30 other Mormon settlers came to the Valley to convert the Paiute Indians. The settlement originally consisted of eight buildings but only one remains standing today. The site is considered the birthplace of Las Vegas and it has become a State Historic Park with guided tours and a visitor’s center. Those early Mormon settlers chose this spot to build their settlement because Las Vegas enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year and the average temperature is 80.7°F.
