Historical Markers of Clark County & Las Vegas
Location: Southern Clark County, Henderson Directions: Along Mountain Vista St, 1/4 mile south of E. Russell Road
N 36° 05.014 W 115° 04.364
Date Conquered: 3/15/09 Quick Description: A marker honoring the first person to ever scout the Las Vegas Valley. Signed: No -- Historically, this marker was signed. No info as to what happened to it. (No signs exist today.) NOTES: Other resources for Nevada historical markers will tell you the directions for this marker is as reads: "off Mountain Vista Road at the entrance to Vo-Tech School." Let me tell you boys and girls-- you won't find this marker anywhere near the entrance to that school. For one, the "Vo-Tech School" is a private facility, with public access strictly prohibited. And most importantly, the entrance is at least a half mile in the opposite direction of this marker. Once again, depend on me to bring you the correct location. Conquer this one with caution!Notice the busy stream of cars as seen from my side mirror. Allow me to be blunt: this marker is an annoying one to conquer! #214 suffers from a common condition among Nevada markers that I've named, "tough visibility syndrome." You'll quickly see why I diagnosed this marker with this condition. To add even more salt to the wound, hunters can be put in danger trying to spot the darned thing! Motorists along Mountain Vista don't give a hoot about this marker and aren't expecting a marker hunter to be cruising by looking for it. After all is said and done, here's how to conquer #214 with the syndrome in mind. The first step is knowing what part of Russell Road to be on. There are two sections of Russell Road and unfortunately, Russell is a transmittent route, separated by McCarran Int'l Airport. We need to find "East Russell Road", which begins on Paradise Rd, east of the Strip. The best way to get there is by taking I-215 (Exit 10B) east from I-15 to the 'Airport Connector'; this 'connector' will take you underneath the airport and drop you off right at the intersection of Paradise and E. Russell Rd. Follow Russell all the way until you reach Mountain Vista. Otherwise, if you aren't from Las Vegas, finding Russell Road (or Mountain Vista for that matter) from any other direction can be quite tricky. If you use the directions above, it'll take you roughly 20 minutes to get to #214, accounting for lights and traffic. Since most people will be coming southbound on Mountain Vista, it's important to know you must make a solid U-turn to view this marker! It's extremely inconvenient and the photo below shows just how dangerous it can be to spot pesky #214! The Vo-Tech School can be seen on the hill directly behind the marker. This is another puzzling placement by the SHPO. Full Description: Exact description as reads ... This historical marker commemorates the valor and service of pioneer scout Rafael Rivera, the first Caucasian of record to view and traverse Las Vegas Valley. Scouting for Antonio Armijo's sixty- man trading party from Abiquiu, N.M. in January 1830, young Rivera ascended Vegas Wash twenty miles east of this marker and blazed a route to the Mojave River in California by way of the Amargosa River. Rivera's pioneering route became a vital link in the Old Spanish Trail, with Las Vegas Springs a most essential stop on this popular route to Southern California. John C. Frémont mapped the trail in 1844. Three years later, following an extension of the course to Salt Lake Valley, the route became known in this area as the Mormon Trail. Today the Old Spanish Trail closely parallels Inter-State Route # 15. The busy traffic of Mountain Vista Street. Finally, a bit of saving grace! It was nice to see that NDOT and the City of Las Vegas provided some ample parking for marker viewing. This photo reminds me of visiting Los Angeles. #214 was my last conquering in Clark. After I bagged this marker, I scooted out of Vegas as fast as my four wheels could go.
NOTES: Other resources for Nevada historical markers will tell you the directions for this marker is as reads: "off Mountain Vista Road at the entrance to Vo-Tech School." Let me tell you boys and girls-- you won't find this marker anywhere near the entrance to that school. For one, the "Vo-Tech School" is a private facility, with public access strictly prohibited. And most importantly, the entrance is at least a half mile in the opposite direction of this marker. Once again, depend on me to bring you the correct location. Conquer this one with caution!Notice the busy stream of cars as seen from my side mirror. Allow me to be blunt: this marker is an annoying one to conquer! #214 suffers from a common condition among Nevada markers that I've named, "tough visibility syndrome." You'll quickly see why I diagnosed this marker with this condition. To add even more salt to the wound, hunters can be put in danger trying to spot the darned thing! Motorists along Mountain Vista don't give a hoot about this marker and aren't expecting a marker hunter to be cruising by looking for it. After all is said and done, here's how to conquer #214 with the syndrome in mind. The first step is knowing what part of Russell Road to be on. There are two sections of Russell Road and unfortunately, Russell is a transmittent route, separated by McCarran Int'l Airport. We need to find "East Russell Road", which begins on Paradise Rd, east of the Strip. The best way to get there is by taking I-215 (Exit 10B) east from I-15 to the 'Airport Connector'; this 'connector' will take you underneath the airport and drop you off right at the intersection of Paradise and E. Russell Rd. Follow Russell all the way until you reach Mountain Vista. Otherwise, if you aren't from Las Vegas, finding Russell Road (or Mountain Vista for that matter) from any other direction can be quite tricky. If you use the directions above, it'll take you roughly 20 minutes to get to #214, accounting for lights and traffic. Since most people will be coming southbound on Mountain Vista, it's important to know you must make a solid U-turn to view this marker! It's extremely inconvenient and the photo below shows just how dangerous it can be to spot pesky #214! The Vo-Tech School can be seen on the hill directly behind the marker. This is another puzzling placement by the SHPO. Full Description: Exact description as reads ... This historical marker commemorates the valor and service of pioneer scout Rafael Rivera, the first Caucasian of record to view and traverse Las Vegas Valley. Scouting for Antonio Armijo's sixty- man trading party from Abiquiu, N.M. in January 1830, young Rivera ascended Vegas Wash twenty miles east of this marker and blazed a route to the Mojave River in California by way of the Amargosa River. Rivera's pioneering route became a vital link in the Old Spanish Trail, with Las Vegas Springs a most essential stop on this popular route to Southern California. John C. Frémont mapped the trail in 1844. Three years later, following an extension of the course to Salt Lake Valley, the route became known in this area as the Mormon Trail. Today the Old Spanish Trail closely parallels Inter-State Route # 15. The busy traffic of Mountain Vista Street. Finally, a bit of saving grace! It was nice to see that NDOT and the City of Las Vegas provided some ample parking for marker viewing. This photo reminds me of visiting Los Angeles. #214 was my last conquering in Clark. After I bagged this marker, I scooted out of Vegas as fast as my four wheels could go.
Allow me to be blunt: this marker is an annoying one to conquer! #214 suffers from a common condition among Nevada markers that I've named, "tough visibility syndrome." You'll quickly see why I diagnosed this marker with this condition. To add even more salt to the wound, hunters can be put in danger trying to spot the darned thing! Motorists along Mountain Vista don't give a hoot about this marker and aren't expecting a marker hunter to be cruising by looking for it. After all is said and done, here's how to conquer #214 with the syndrome in mind. The first step is knowing what part of Russell Road to be on. There are two sections of Russell Road and unfortunately, Russell is a transmittent route, separated by McCarran Int'l Airport. We need to find "East Russell Road", which begins on Paradise Rd, east of the Strip. The best way to get there is by taking I-215 (Exit 10B) east from I-15 to the 'Airport Connector'; this 'connector' will take you underneath the airport and drop you off right at the intersection of Paradise and E. Russell Rd. Follow Russell all the way until you reach Mountain Vista. Otherwise, if you aren't from Las Vegas, finding Russell Road (or Mountain Vista for that matter) from any other direction can be quite tricky. If you use the directions above, it'll take you roughly 20 minutes to get to #214, accounting for lights and traffic. Since most people will be coming southbound on Mountain Vista, it's important to know you must make a solid U-turn to view this marker! It's extremely inconvenient and the photo below shows just how dangerous it can be to spot pesky #214! The Vo-Tech School can be seen on the hill directly behind the marker. This is another puzzling placement by the SHPO. Full Description: Exact description as reads ... This historical marker commemorates the valor and service of pioneer scout Rafael Rivera, the first Caucasian of record to view and traverse Las Vegas Valley. Scouting for Antonio Armijo's sixty- man trading party from Abiquiu, N.M. in January 1830, young Rivera ascended Vegas Wash twenty miles east of this marker and blazed a route to the Mojave River in California by way of the Amargosa River. Rivera's pioneering route became a vital link in the Old Spanish Trail, with Las Vegas Springs a most essential stop on this popular route to Southern California. John C. Frémont mapped the trail in 1844. Three years later, following an extension of the course to Salt Lake Valley, the route became known in this area as the Mormon Trail. Today the Old Spanish Trail closely parallels Inter-State Route # 15. The busy traffic of Mountain Vista Street. Finally, a bit of saving grace! It was nice to see that NDOT and the City of Las Vegas provided some ample parking for marker viewing. This photo reminds me of visiting Los Angeles. #214 was my last conquering in Clark. After I bagged this marker, I scooted out of Vegas as fast as my four wheels could go.
Full Description: Exact description as reads ... This historical marker commemorates the valor and service of pioneer scout Rafael Rivera, the first Caucasian of record to view and traverse Las Vegas Valley. Scouting for Antonio Armijo's sixty- man trading party from Abiquiu, N.M. in January 1830, young Rivera ascended Vegas Wash twenty miles east of this marker and blazed a route to the Mojave River in California by way of the Amargosa River. Rivera's pioneering route became a vital link in the Old Spanish Trail, with Las Vegas Springs a most essential stop on this popular route to Southern California. John C. Frémont mapped the trail in 1844. Three years later, following an extension of the course to Salt Lake Valley, the route became known in this area as the Mormon Trail. Today the Old Spanish Trail closely parallels Inter-State Route # 15. The busy traffic of Mountain Vista Street. Finally, a bit of saving grace! It was nice to see that NDOT and the City of Las Vegas provided some ample parking for marker viewing. This photo reminds me of visiting Los Angeles. #214 was my last conquering in Clark. After I bagged this marker, I scooted out of Vegas as fast as my four wheels could go.
This historical marker commemorates the valor and service of pioneer scout Rafael Rivera, the first Caucasian of record to view and traverse Las Vegas Valley. Scouting for Antonio Armijo's sixty- man trading party from Abiquiu, N.M. in January 1830, young Rivera ascended Vegas Wash twenty miles east of this marker and blazed a route to the Mojave River in California by way of the Amargosa River. Rivera's pioneering route became a vital link in the Old Spanish Trail, with Las Vegas Springs a most essential stop on this popular route to Southern California. John C. Frémont mapped the trail in 1844. Three years later, following an extension of the course to Salt Lake Valley, the route became known in this area as the Mormon Trail. Today the Old Spanish Trail closely parallels Inter-State Route # 15. The busy traffic of Mountain Vista Street. Finally, a bit of saving grace! It was nice to see that NDOT and the City of Las Vegas provided some ample parking for marker viewing. This photo reminds me of visiting Los Angeles. #214 was my last conquering in Clark. After I bagged this marker, I scooted out of Vegas as fast as my four wheels could go.
Rivera's pioneering route became a vital link in the Old Spanish Trail, with Las Vegas Springs a most essential stop on this popular route to Southern California. John C. Frémont mapped the trail in 1844. Three years later, following an extension of the course to Salt Lake Valley, the route became known in this area as the Mormon Trail. Today the Old Spanish Trail closely parallels Inter-State Route # 15. The busy traffic of Mountain Vista Street. Finally, a bit of saving grace! It was nice to see that NDOT and the City of Las Vegas provided some ample parking for marker viewing. This photo reminds me of visiting Los Angeles. #214 was my last conquering in Clark. After I bagged this marker, I scooted out of Vegas as fast as my four wheels could go.
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