1908 Map of Las Vegas

About this map

Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Ranch stand as central outposts in this turn-of-the-century desert landscape, long before the city's modern expansion. The San Pedro Los Angeles & Salt Lake RR defines the corridor through the Las Vegas Valley, connecting rail stops like Bracken and Arden. To the west, the towering Spring Mountains and Dixie National Forest provide a stark contrast to the surrounding flats, harboring critical water sources like Indian Sprs and Mountain Sprs. This era reveals a pioneer economy of isolated ranches and early industrial efforts, including the Stirling Mine (Abandoned) and several timber operations such as Clarks Sawmill. Settlement is sparse and tied directly to the springs, with McWilliams and Smith's Ranch serving as rare landmarks in the high desert.