Henderson Walking Tour – Site 3
henderson, nv
Discription:
Henderson Walking Tour – Site 3: Magnesium Plant Memorial. Patriotism. (Henderson Historic Walking Tour Site. Number Three: Patriotism.) Number Two in a series of five walking tour markers, or guideposts, on sidewalks in and around Henderson’s Water Street District. Each one has a title and gives a brief history of the particular surrounding area. Only three of them (one, three and five) are specific to honoring Henderson’s contribution to military and veterans. Henderson, “born in America’s defense” during World War II, was the key site for magnesium production for use in airplane parts and ammunition. Routes in the area reflect this patriotic origin with Army Street and Navy Street and places such as Victory Village. The town grew to provide housing for the magnesium employees. In 1945 the Air Force secured housing for servicemen stationed at the Las Vegas Army Air Field (later named Nellis AFB). After WWII federal presence moved away, but in 1951 the outbreak of the Korean War saw Western Electrochemical Company sign a contract with the U.S.Army to produce sodium chlorate, followed by the National Lead Company operation producing titanium.
Responcible Organization/Individual:
City of Henderson
Designed By:
City of Henderson
Address:
On the sidewalk in Henderson’s Water Street District.
GPS Coordinates:
Hours Available
Ceremonies: no
History:
At the heart of Henderson, the story is the Water Street District which began as the city’s original “Main Street” back in the 1940s. During World War II, the Basic Magnesium Plant was built in the desert between Boulder City and Las Vegas to supply the metal needed for munitions and airplane parts. A small town grew up to the house and supply the plant’s 14,000 employees When the war ended, the town almost ended also. In 1947, the federal government planned to sell the entire town as war surplus property. However, the Nevada Legislature wasn’t ready to give up and managed to save it. The town that refused to die was incorporated in 1953 with 13-square miles of land and about 7,400 residents. Today it has grown into Nevada’s second-largest city.