Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort

The Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort is the oldest Euro-American building in Nevada, located at 500 E Washington Ave in the Cultural Corridor north of Downtown Las Vegas. Built in 1855 by Mormon missionaries beside Las Vegas Creek, the adobe fort is now a state historic park, and it lies a short walk from the Neon Museum, which makes it an easy addition to a visit to that area. The park contains a surviving section of the original adobe wall, a reconstructed fort and a small museum with exhibits on the missionaries and the later ranch and railroad era. Visitors walk the grounds, read the interpretive panels and enter the museum. Admission is about $3, and the park is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with last admittance at 4:00 PM. It is closed on Sunday and Monday. A visit takes 45 to 60 minutes. Photographers favour the old adobe wall against the sky and the reconstructed courtyard. The park is quiet for most of the day, and mornings are cooler and calmer, which suits the summer months. Because it sits away from the Strip, it draws far fewer visitors than the major attractions, so those interested in the early history of Las Vegas can explore without crowds. RTC route 113 runs along Las Vegas Boulevard North, and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum is also nearby. It is a good stop for history enthusiasts and for visitors wanting a calm contrast to the casino resorts.