Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park

The remains of this historic fort are unspectacular, but they mark the spot where Las Vegas was first settled by non–Native Americans back in 1855. A modest adobe quadrangle provided a refuge for travelers along the Mormon Trail between Salt Lake City and San Bernardino. Some of the original walls still stand, while the visitor center showcases artifacts and photos from the early days. Outside are replicas of the first crops grown here by the Las Vegas Ranch, which revived the settlement almost a decade after the Mormons abandoned it. Today it’s a dusty place, and engaging only for historians.