History of Las Vegas, New Mexico in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 5, 2024

Las Vegas is a city in New Mexico, formed by combining two previously separate towns, West Las Vegas and East Las Vegas. Divided by the Gallinas River, the two sides retain their unique identities and even have separate, competing school districts.

1904: Carnegie Library Established

Funded by a $10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, Las Vegas' Carnegie Library opened in 1904. The library, designed in the Neo-Classical Revival style, is the last remaining Carnegie Library in New Mexico.

1915: Las Vegas Cowboys' Reunions Begin

The Las Vegas Cowboys' Reunions were first held in 1915 and continued annually until 1931.

1931: Las Vegas Cowboys' Reunions End

After running annually since 1915, the Las Vegas Cowboys' Reunions came to an end in 1931.

1939: Las Vegas Cowboys' Reunions Re-established

After an eight-year hiatus, the Las Vegas Cowboys' Reunions were re-established in 1939.

1940: City of Las Vegas Museum & Rough Rider Memorial Dedicated

The City of Las Vegas Museum & Rough Rider Memorial was dedicated in 1940. Las Vegas was chosen as the official reunion home of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders regiment, with their first reunion held in June 1899.

1940: Museum Construction

The museum building, constructed in 1940 with funding from the Works Progress Administration, showcases a blend of stone construction and Pueblo Revival architectural influences.

1952: Rough Riders Join Cowboys' Reunion Rodeo

In 1952, the Las Vegas Cowboys' Reunion Association invited the Rough Riders Association to participate in their annual rodeo.

1990: Las Vegas Population Peak

Las Vegas' population reached its highest point in 1990, with 14,753 residents.

2000: 2000 Census

The 2000 census reported a population of 14,565 people in Las Vegas, with a racial makeup of 54.21% White, 0.99% African American, 1.96% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 37.19% from other races, and 4.95% from two or more races.

2019: Population Decline

By 2019, the estimated population of Las Vegas had fallen to 12,919, marking a 12.43% decrease from its peak in 1990.

2019: Income and Poverty Statistics

In 2019, the median household income in Las Vegas was $26,561. The poverty rate, at 35.6%, was considerably higher than both the national average (10.5%) and the state average (18.2%).

2020: 2020 Census

The 2020 census recorded Las Vegas' population at 13,166.

2022: Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire

In the late winter and spring of 2022, the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire burned through Las Vegas and surrounding areas. This fire, the largest in New Mexico's recorded history, consumed 341,471 acres.