North Las Vegas

North Las Vegas has its beginnings in 1884 when Conrad Kiel had a ranch a few miles north of the Las Vegas Ranch (present-day Mormon Fort at Las Vegas Blvd and Washington). In 1917, Thomas L. Williams, a Utah rancher, bought 140 acres (for $8 an acre) just north of Las Vegas and named the place Vegas Verdes. North Las Vegas was established in 1919 and was formally incorporated on May 1, 1946. The population at that time was 2,875. North Las Vegas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, with 210 percent growth between 1990 and 2003. Today's population is 150,000.

A new City Hall is under construction, at 2250 N Las Vegas Blvd, to open in 2011. A nine-story building, an open-air amphitheater, and a retail complex are part of the 12-acre project.

See also www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com and www.northlasvegaschamber.com.

The ten fastest growing cities in the US, according to the 2003 US Census Bureau, are:

1. Gilbert, AZ
2. North Las Vegas, NV
3. Henderson, NV
4. Chandler, AZ
5. Peoria, AZ
6. Irvine, CA
7. Rancho Cucamonga, CA
8. Chula Vista, CA
9. Fontana, CA
10. Joliet, IL