The weathered train tracks behind the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas are often overlooked by locals and tourists alike, despite the fact that a dozen freight trains pass through the area every day.
These tracks, laid down in 1905, were crucial in connecting Las Vegas to California and Utah, marking the city’s beginnings as a railroad community.
As Paige Figanbaum, the executive director of the Nevada Preservation Foundation (NPF), highlights, Las Vegas’s identity was forged on the rails until the 1940s, when it transitioned to a gambling hub.
Figanbaum’s mission is to raise awareness about this rich history, advocating tirelessly for the preservation of vintage homes, historic buildings, and community heritage across the state.
This task becomes increasingly complex in a city renowned for its rapid redevelopment, where iconic casinos often make way for new structures with little regard for the past.
“We’re continually trying to work with city officials and fight for historic preservation,” said Figanbaum.
She emphasizes the importance of local sentiment in determining what is worth preserving, stating, “What they find is important and historic — it’s different for every community.”
Currently, NPF is celebrating its 10th annual Home + History Las Vegas festival, which showcases local heritage through a series of events, including cocktail parties, pub crawls, and informative tours.
These gatherings tell the stories of unique homes, renowned architects, and the ongoing transformation of Las Vegas.
One highlight of this year’s festival is a rare tour of a Cold War-era underground house located 25 feet below ground near the Boulevard Mall.
Several neighborhoods with rich character, such as McNeil Estates, the Scotch 80s, and old Henderson, are also featured in this year’s schedule.
Among these storied neighborhoods, Paradise Palms holds a significant place in Las Vegas history as the city’s first master-planned community, established in 1960.
Designed by celebrated architects Palmer and Krisel, Paradise Palms was home to several notable figures, including mobsters, politicians, and celebrities like Dean Martin and Johnny Carson.
Thanks to NPF’s advocacy, the neighborhood achieved historic overlay district status in 2021, marking a significant step in preservation efforts within Clark County.
Another significant achievement for NPF is the revitalization of the 18b Arts District, which boasts numerous historic structures, some dating back to the railroad’s early days.
The vibrant Arts Factory building at 107 E. Charleston Blvd., constructed in the 1940s, has transformed from an air-conditioning business into a thriving arts venue, exemplifying NPF’s commitment to adaptive reuse.
“One of the things we really try to push is adaptive reuse,” Figanbaum noted, emphasizing the importance of utilizing historic sites for modern purposes.
A few blocks from the Arts Factory, the remnants of the railway tracks serve as a reminder of Las Vegas’s past.
The original Union Pacific train depot fell victim to progress in 1940, making way for a new depot, which itself would be demolished in 1970 to create the Union Plaza Hotel and Casino.
The last passenger train departed from Las Vegas in 1997, but a mural near the hotel’s food court keeps the memory alive.
NPF events and tours illuminate these forgotten stories and often lead to eye-opening revelations for both residents and visitors, even for those who have long traveled the same routes.
As Figanbaum puts it, “You may live here and know the history and the connections. It’s not just about those connections. It’s how you make those connections.”
image source from：https://knpr.org/desert-companion/2025-04-23/what-should-be-saved
