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Las Vegas is a small historic city in the Southwest. No, not THAT Las Vegas, the OTHER one, in New Mexico.
History of Las Vegas, New Mexico
Las Vegas was founded in 1835 by settlers who received a land grant from the Mexican government. It became an important stop on the Santa Fe Trail and played an important role in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). In 1846, Stephen W. Kearny (1794-1848) delivered an address in the town plaza claiming New Mexico for the United States.
After the railroad arrived on July 4, 1879, it brought several characters associated with the Wild West. This gave the town a reputation of being lawless.
In more recent times, Las Vegas has become a popular setting for films and television shows. Films such as Easy Rider (1969), Wyatt Earp (1994), and No Country for Old Men (2007), were shot there.
Where to Stay in Las Vegas, New Mexico
There are a few decent places in town.
Regal Inn
We stayed the night at the Regal Inn which is a short drive from downtown Las Vegas. It was low-priced and comfortable but not exactly clean. Interestingly, it was one of the many film locations in Las Vegas featured in No Country for Old Men.
Plaza Park
Leafy Plaza Park is a great place to start exploring Las Vegas. It’s a nice, open plaza in the center of the historic part of town. The plaza is surrounded by some beautiful historic buildings.
Plaza Park features plenty of sculptures and memorials. One historical marker commemorates the Santa Fe Trail. It was placed in the park in 1910 by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Territory of New Mexico.
Plaza Hotel
One of the most important buildings on Plaza Park is the Plaza Hotel, which opened in 1882. It was built at a cost of US$25,000 and has an Italianate façade. The guest rooms had high ceilings and the entire hotel was ornately decorated.
The first reunion of Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders took place there in 1899. He stayed at the Plaza Hotel twice and also announced his presidential candidacy in Las Vegas.
Bridge Street
From the plaza, you can walk down Bridge Street. It’s lined on both sides with colorful historic buildings hosting shops, restaurants, offices, and art galleries. Bridge Street crosses Gallinas Creek and turns into National Avenue.
Carnegie Library
A few blocks further down National Avenue is the Carnegie Library. Industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) donated 2,509 libraries worldwide between 1883 and 1919. This one was built thanks to a public grant of US$10,000 on March 14, 1902. It opened in 1904 and was modeled after the Monticello. It’s the only remaining Carnegie Library in New Mexico still serving its original purpose.
City of Las Vegas Museum
The City of Las Vegas Museum contains several original artifacts related to the city’s history. Admission is free but donations are welcome (as of February 2025). It’s open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 4pm.
The displays include excellent information and interpretive panels, and cover a wide range of topics including health care, technology, education, religion, war, and the arts. Most of the collection is from the mid 19th to mid 20th century, but some artifacts date back to the 14th century.
One of the most important sections of the museum contains the Rough Rider Memorial Collection. It displays photos and artifacts related to Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders.
Las Vegas Depot
Finally, don’t forget to check out the old Las Vegas Depot. It was built in 1899 in the Spanish Mission style. The building was renovated in 2000 and still serves as an Amtrak station as well as the city’s visitor center.
