Archaeological evidence indicates the presence of people in the region about 12,000 years ago, just as the great lakes covering the state were beginning to recede. While Nevada has more than 200 mountain ranges, it is the driest state. Altitudes range from over 13,000 feet to less than 1,000 feet. Average annual daily temperatures range from 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the south to 45 degrees in the north.

The mountains are largely vegetated by juniper and pinon pine forests, while the long alleys are covered with sagebrush, rice grass, grease-wood, various grasses, and in the south, mesquite, yucca, Joshua trees, and dozens of other plants, animals, and insects.
Water trapped underground in the complicated geologic formations of the Las Vegas alley sporadically surfaced to nourish luxuriant plants, creating an oasis in the desert as the life- giving water flowed to the Colorado river.

Hidden for centuries from all but Native Americans, the Las Vegas alley oasis was protected from discovery by the surrounding harsh and unforgiving Mojave Desert. Mexican trader Antonio Armijo, leading a 60-man party along the Spanish Trail to Los Angeles in 1829, evered from the accepted route.

While Armijo's caravan was camped Christmas Day about 100 miles northeast of present day Las Vegas, a scouting party rode west in search of water. An experienced young Mexican scout, Rafael rivera, left the main party and ventured into the unexplored desert. Within two weeks, he discovered Las Vegas Springs.

The exact date is unknown, but Rafael rivera became the first known non-Indian to set foot in the oasis-like Las Vegas alley. The abundant artesian spring water discovered at Las Vegas shortened the Spanish Trail to Los Angeles, eased rigors for Spanish traders and hastened the rush west for California gold. Between 1830 and 1848, the name "Vegas," as shown on maps of that day, was changed to Las Vegas which means "The Meadows" in Spanish.

Some 14 years after rivera's discovery, John C. Fremont led an overland expedition west and camped at Las Vegas Springs on May 13,1844.

His name is remembered today in neon as well as museums and history books. The Fremont Hotel-Casino in Downtown Las Vegas bears his name as does Fremont Street -- the main thoroughfare through the heart of casino-lined Glitter Gulch.

Las Vegas:
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Vegas Brief History
Mormon Influence
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Entertainment is Las Vegas
No holds barred
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Downtown
A Century