Photo credit - Nevada State Parks
A bronze statue of Helen Jane Stewart, who earned the title “The first lady of Las Vegas,” is located outside the entrance of the visitor center in the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park.
Helen Jane Stewart arrived in Las Vegas Valley with her husband and three children in 1882. While pregnant with her fifth child, her husband got shot by a neighbor and died. She continued running her farm while expanding it by purchasing land, until she became the area’s largest landowner. In 1893, she was the first postmaster of Las Vegas. In 1902 she sold her ranch, and on her land, the city of Las Vegas was established.
Stewart remarried, moved to a new home in the growing community of Las Vegas, and had a key role in developing the city. She helped fund the city’s first public library and assisted in forming the Las Vegas School District.
'Helen J. Stewart Day' Declared in Las Vegas & Clark County
Clark County commissioners declared Dec. 3, 2011, Helen J. Stewart Day in honor of the First Lady of Las Vegas. Commissioner Mary Beth Scow sponsored the proclamation. Helen Jane Wiser Stewart moved to Las Vegas in 1882 with her husband Archibald Stewart. Two years later, he was gunned down at the Kiel Ranch, located in what is now North Las Vegas. Helen then took over the operations of the "Las Vegas Ranch." Helen and her father, Hiram Wiser, than began buying up land in the area in response to rumors that the railroad would be running through the Las Vegas Valley. In 1902, Helen Stewart sold more than 1,800 acres to Sen. William Andrews Clark, for whom Clark County is named and who had ties to the railroad. In May 1905, the railroad sold lots on this land in what is now downtown Las Vegas, paving the way for the creation of modern-day Las Vegas.
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500 E Washington Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101
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'Helen J. Stewart Day' Declared in Las Vegas & Clark County
Clark County commissioners declared Dec. 3, 2011, Helen J. Stewart Day in honor of the First Lady of Las Vegas. Commissioner Mary Beth Scow sponsored the proclamation. Helen Jane Wiser Stewart moved to Las Vegas in 1882 with her husband Archibald Stewart. Two years later, he was gunned down at the Kiel Ranch, located in what is now North Las Vegas. Helen then took over the operations of the "Las Vegas Ranch." Helen and her father, Hiram Wiser, than began buying up land in the area in response to rumors that the railroad would be running through the Las Vegas Valley. In 1902, Helen Stewart sold more than 1,800 acres to Sen. William Andrews Clark, for whom Clark County is named and who had ties to the railroad. In May 1905, the railroad sold lots on this land in what is now downtown Las Vegas, paving the way for the creation of modern-day Las Vegas. This post is also available in:
Español
