Las Vegas

Las Vegas Rail Station

History

One of the oldest cities in Northern New Mexico and a destination on the Santa Fe Trail, Las Vegas was established by a Spanish land grant in 1835 – the last Spanish colony established in North America. It was originally called Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Las Vegas Grandes or Lady of Sorrows of the Great Meadows. It was constructed as a fort to protect its residents against attacks by Apache Indians. One story adobe houses circled a large, central plaza where stock could be driven to safety.

In the mid-19th century Las Vegas was a popular stopping point on the Santa Fe Trail. It was the first town of any size after 600 miles of travel from Kansas. Many town merchants prospered from these visitors. The population was around 1,000 in 1860 and it quadrupled over the next two decades, establishing itself as a major trade destination. When the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad reached the town in 1879 it was the largest city between San Francisco and Independence, Missouri.It is the western, Victorian architecture of the late 1880s that is so prevalent still in downtown Las Vegas.

Two Historic Hotels: The Plaza and the El Fidel

The Plaza Hotel,shown here in 1920, has expanded to include the neighboring Ifeld Building

The flagship of downtown Las Vegas is the beautiful and storied Plaza Hotel. In April 2009 the Plaza opened a new expansion, doubling its room capacity and including the new Ilfeld Ballroom that accommodates 300 guests. The Hotel now has over 11,500 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space. Byron T’s Saloon is an old cowboy bar named after the hotel’s resident ghost, Byron T. Mills. Friday nights are especially lively when the local folks meet and mingle with the guests while enjoying the best musicians in New Mexico. The Saloon has history, Doc Holliday is said to have shot a fellow who cheated at cards right in this very room. For more information and reservations, www.plazahotel-nm.com.

El Fidel Hotel

Built around 1920, the El Fidel Hotel, 500 Douglas Avenue, offers Old World ambience in a casual atmosphere. It attracts patrons from around the world. It was built by M. M. Sundt as the “Meadows Hotel,” but was purchased by Toufick Fidel in 1946 when the name was changed. Outdoor tables offer a comfortable place to enjoy a cup of coffee or a cool beverage. The Hotel has a full service restaurant and beauty salon.

Culture

Las Vegas has a stunning 918 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Las Vegas Citizen’s Committee for Historic Preservation offers self guided walking tours of nine different historic districts.

The Rough Rider Museum

Las Vegas’ history is showcased at The Las Vegas Museum and Rough Rider Memorial, 727 Grand Avenue. Housed in a Works Project Administration structure built in 1940 to serve as city hall, the Museum provides a “snapshot” of life in the 1880s. During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Teddy Roosevelt put out a call for troops to help liberate Cuba. Territorial Governor Miguel Otero sent a 21-man rifle brigade from New Mexico composed primarily of cowboys – the largest western contingency. Those troops who famously charged up San Juan Hill held a reunion in Las Vegas in 1899, which Roosevelt himself attended. Many reunions later, the Rough Riders established a collection of mementos including historic photos, flags and original uniforms.

Tour one of America’s historic treasures, the restored Montezuma Castle on the campus of the Armand Hammer United World College. Originally built as a hotel in 1882, it hosted 3 U.S. Presidents as guests (Hayes, Grant and Teddy Roosevelt). It has been restored to its former glory, and is accessible to the public only during special tours given several times a month.

Events

Las Vegas Celebrates the Arts: Studio Tour takes place in mid-June, and features the works and galleries of Las Vegas and San Miguel county artists.

The Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation’s mid-August “Places with a Past” guided tour takes you through the towns’ historic properties, revealing stories of past occupants and architectural details.

The Plaza Hotel is among the towns historic gems

Fiestas! – July 4

Rough Rider Motorcycle Rally – Last weekend in July

People’s Faire in Carnegie Park – Third Saturday in August

Sabor de Las Vegas (tasting of best local cuisine) – Second Saturday in September

Electric Light Parade – Christmas season

For more information on visiting Las Vegas, check out the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce website.

Contact:
Cindy Collins, Executive Director
MainStreet Las Vegas
1803 Plaza
Las Vegas, NM 87701
Phone: 505.424.2606

Email:executivedirector@mainstreetlvnm.org
Web site: www.mainstreetlvnm.org