Old Mormon Fort

I've not yet made it out to visit Las Vegas' oldest structure, The Old Mormon Fort.

Is there anything there worth seeing?



It looks pretty bleak.

If you are a student of history, and if the weather is nice, it can be pretty kool. If both those mitigating factors don't align, it is a waste of time.
Double it with a trip to the Neon Graveyard.

I found it interesting. The area of the fort later became the residence of Helen Stewart. After her husband died she eventually sold most of her property that she had amassed which included the area that became downtown Las Vegas in 1905. Her mausoleum is in a mortuary park nearby. When Helen sold her land she withheld 10 acres for the Piaite Indians as a reservation that is still in existence today on Main Street a few miles north of downtown.

Helen Stewart's husband was killed at the Kiel ranch a couple miles north of the fort (the ruins are still there today). He had a dispute with a former ranch hand of his who had a run-in with his wife while he was away from the property. He went to the Kiel ranch to confront this man and was killed at that location. The reason for his being shot and killed never led to criminal charges or convictions, although the circumstances were suspicious.

I'm getting a little off track regarding the fort but the area became the home of the First Lady of Las Vegas and is an integral part of the founding of Las Vegas.

There are exhibits at the old fort and when I was there about five years ago I believe there was a $2 admission charge.

I've been there. Not much to see, but you'll probably have the place to yourself. I wouldn't make a special trip for just the Mormon Fort, but if you're doing anything else north of downtown, the Neon Boneyard perhaps, or Jerry's Nugget, it's worth a visit.

Quote: Greasyjohn

I found it interesting. The area of the fort later became the residence of Helen Stewart. After her husband died she eventually sold most of her property that she had amassed which included the area that became downtown Las Vegas in 1905. Her mausoleum is in a mortuary park nearby. When Helen sold her land she withheld 10 acres for the Piaite Indians as a reservation that is still in existence today on Main Street a few miles north of downtown.

Helen Stewart's husband was killed at the Kiel ranch a couple miles north of the fort (the ruins are still there today). He had a dispute with a former ranch hand of his who had a run-in with his wife while he was away from the property. He went to the Kiel ranch to confront this man and was killed at that location. The reason for his being shot and killed never led to criminal charges or convictions, although the circumstances were suspicious.

I'm getting a little off track regarding the fort but the area became the home of the First Lady of Las Vegas and is an integral part of the founding of Las Vegas.

There are exhibits at the old fort and when I was there about five years ago I believe there was a $2 admission charge.

Seems like the bones of a really good movie in there. Anybody ever make one?

Also, is it possible there's an Indian reservation a few miles north of DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS and they don't have a casino on it? Or do they?

Talk about the ability to print money. All the millions of gamblers the casinos bring right there to your doorstep, and you wouldn't have to abide by state laws and pricing? They could undercut everybody in Nevada, offer fair games, and still make HUGE money just by avoiding the overhead. Some billboards and shuttle buses, along with word of mouth, would do it.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Also, is it possible there's an Indian reservation a few miles north of DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS and they don't have a casino on it? Or do they? Talk about the ability to print money. All the millions of gamblers the casinos bring right there to your doorstep, and you wouldn't have to abide by state laws and pricing? They could undercut everybody in Nevada, offer fair games, and still make HUGE money just by avoiding the overhead. Some billboards and shuttle buses, along with word of mouth, would do it.

Interesting.

A quick search shows there are only a few tribal casinos in Nevada, and only one in Las Vegas:

Snow Mountain Smoke Shop

Doesn't sound like much of a "casino:" only 7 slots.

I must assume that the profitability of tribal casinos is related to the amount of competition.

Immediately north of the smoke shop is the main portion of the 10 acre reservation. It is comprised of a cluster of small homes and a very small tribal police building, (this building looks like it was originally one of the houses). There is a sign at the entrance stating: "No Trespassing". The houses all indicate a poor area.

This is what I remember of my visit there about 9 years ago, so things could be different now. I went to the smoke shop with a friend that wanted to buy some cigars. I believe they have good prices on tobacco--I think the tobacco is tax exempt because of the tribal status. I don't remember any slot machines there on my visit.

Quote: MrV

Interesting.

A quick search shows there are only a few tribal casinos in Nevada, and only one in Las Vegas:

Snow Mountain Smoke Shop

Doesn't sound like much of a "casino:" only 7 slots.

I must assume that the profitability of tribal casinos is related to the amount of competition.

They're probably making more money off of all the Bovada ads on that site.

Quote: MrV

Interesting.

A quick search shows there are only a few tribal casinos in Nevada, and only one in Las Vegas:

Snow Mountain Smoke Shop

They also have a golf course. They are infamous for writing tickets on the stretch of the 95 that goes through their reservation.

Quote: Wizard

Quote: MrV

Interesting.

A quick search shows there are only a few tribal casinos in Nevada, and only one in Las Vegas:

Snow Mountain Smoke Shop

They also have a golf course. They are infamous for writing tickets on the stretch of the 95 that goes through their reservation.

Sounds like Searchlight.

Quote: Boz

Sounds like Searchlight.

There too, but no golf course.

Quote: Wizard

There too, but no golf course.

Have you seen the kilns at Searchlight?

Quote: petroglyph

Have you seen the kilns at Searchlight?

Nope. The only thing I've seen there is the McDonald's bathroom.

Quote: Wizard

Nope. The only thing I've seen there is the McDonald's bathroom.

You've never gone down to the river? It's pretty nice.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Seems like the bones of a really good movie in there. Anybody ever make one?

Also, is it possible there's an Indian reservation a few miles north of DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS and they don't have a casino on it? Or do they?

Talk about the ability to print money. All the millions of gamblers the casinos bring right there to your doorstep, and you wouldn't have to abide by state laws and pricing? They could undercut everybody in Nevada, offer fair games, and still make HUGE money just by avoiding the overhead. Some billboards and shuttle buses, along with word of mouth, would do it.

They might have found an even easier way to make $$$: https://www.nuwucannabis.com/