Modern Settlers (Early 1900s)
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (also known as Mormons) made the first attempt to settle Las Vegas in 1855, intending to teach the gospel to Native Americans and establish a halfway point between Mormon settlements in Utah and California.
The Mormons eventually abandoned their settlement, but were soon replaced by early ranchers, including the Gass, Kiel, and Stewart families.
Another family, the Bishops, established a cattle and horse ranch along the Las Vegas Wash in 1905. By 1912, the ranch had grown to 800 acres. Over the years, the remains of several buildings from Bishop Ranch have been unearthed, including a milk house and the foundations of two homes.
Mining began in the early 1900s, with manganese at the Three Kids Mine and claims of both gold and gypsum at a mine near Frenchman's Mountain.
By 1910, Las Vegas had transformed from sleepy stopping point to bustling railroad town, thanks to the introduction of the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad.
(Excerpt from Greg Seymour, Archaeologist, Springs Preserve)