Nevada State Route 604
Encyclopedia
Las Vegas Boulevard is a major road in Las Vegas Valley of Nevada
, best known for the Las Vegas Strip
and its casino
s. Formerly carrying US 91, the main highway between Los Angeles
and Salt Lake City, it has been bypassed by Interstate 15
, and serves mainly local traffic with some sections designated State Route 604
.
has had several names, including 5th Street, the Arrowhead Highway
, Los Angeles Highway, Salt Lake Highway, U.S. Route 91 (entire segment), U.S. Route 93 (from Fremont Street north), U.S. Route 466 (from Jean to Fremont Street, including the Las Vegas Strip) and State Route 6 (entire segment, not signed).
South of the city, Las Vegas Boulevard was commonly known as the Los Angeles Highway. Just north of Jean, Nevada Historical Marker 195 marks the place where the last spike
on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad
line was driven.
With the construction of I-15
, Las Vegas Boulevard went from being the main through road to one that only served as a city street for locals and tourists. The name change reflects its local importance rather than past names when it served as a main intra city road.
On October 16, 2009, the Federal Highway Administration
announced the designation of a new National Scenic Byway
on the boulevard. The 3.5 miles (5.6 km) section starting at Sahara Avenue and running north to Washington Avenue was designated the City of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Boulevard State Scenic Byway.
, Nevada. "The Boulevard", as it is sometimes called by longtime Las Vegas residents, starts at Apex, and continues south to about 2 mi (3.2 km) south of Jean
, in the Mojave Desert
. The Boulevard shows up again in Primm, Nevada
but is currently not connected to the northern sections.
At its northern end in Apex, the Boulevard starts in an industrial
complex of manufacturing plants and power plants running along the Union Pacific Railroad
line. As you travel south, the road meets Nellis Air Force Base
on the east side and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway
on the west side.
As the road enters North Las Vegas
, it passes through some of the older commercial areas of the city. As the road approaches Las Vegas itself, you see some of what Vegas was as some of the older casino
s appear along with some of the older and more famous strip club
s.
On entering the city of Las Vegas, the Boulevard showcases the city's past with a number of museum
s. the Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park
and the Neon Museum at the Fremont Street Experience
. On crossing Washington Avenue, the Boulevard is designated as the Downtown Las Vegas Boulevard Scenic Byway by the state. This designation continues down to Sahara Avenue.
Further south is a stretch of road that has many of the older motel
s, bar
s and wedding chapel
s that were among the high points of the old Vegas before the era of the megaresort
s.
It is at this point the Boulevard leaves the city of Las Vegas and assumes its unofficial name the Las Vegas Strip for the next four miles (6 km). This portion of Las Vegas Boulevard begins at the Stratosphere
and runs to Mandalay Bay
. This is the section of the road most people are familiar with; it is home to casino megaresorts with their world famous lights and attractions. It is designated as an All-American Road. At the end of "The Strip", the road passes the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
and runs along the western edge of the McCarran International Airport
property.
The "South Strip" is used to describe the section of Las Vegas Boulevard between Russell Road and Blue Diamond Road. Along this stretch, development thins out except for newer shopping mall
s, hotel
s and condominium
s as the Boulevard continues to travel south, just east of Interstate 15.
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, best known for the Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
and its casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
s. Formerly carrying US 91, the main highway between Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Salt Lake City, it has been bypassed by Interstate 15
Interstate 15 in Nevada
In the U.S. State of Nevada, Interstate 15 begins in Primm, continues through Las Vegas and it crosses the border with Arizona in Mesquite. The freeway runs entirely in Clark County. Many motorists use Interstate 15 to visit Las Vegas, as it is the only primary Interstate Highway in the city. The...
, and serves mainly local traffic with some sections designated State Route 604
Nevada State Route 604
Las Vegas Boulevard is a major road in Las Vegas Valley of Nevada, best known for the Las Vegas Strip and its casinos. Formerly carrying US 91, the main highway between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, it has been bypassed by Interstate 15, and serves mainly local traffic with some sections...
.
History
Las Vegas Boulevard in the city of Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
has had several names, including 5th Street, the Arrowhead Highway
Arrowhead Highway
The Arrowhead Trail or Arrowhead Highway was the first all-weather road connecting Los Angeles to Salt Lake City by way of Las Vegas. Built primarily in the late 1910s and viable roughly contemporaneously with Route 66, the road has since been supplanted by U.S. Route 91 and subsequently Interstate...
, Los Angeles Highway, Salt Lake Highway, U.S. Route 91 (entire segment), U.S. Route 93 (from Fremont Street north), U.S. Route 466 (from Jean to Fremont Street, including the Las Vegas Strip) and State Route 6 (entire segment, not signed).
South of the city, Las Vegas Boulevard was commonly known as the Los Angeles Highway. Just north of Jean, Nevada Historical Marker 195 marks the place where the last spike
Last Spike
The Last Spike is the final rail spike driven in the construction of a railway. It is often a momentous occasion, and special ceremonial spikes of gold or silver may be used.Last Spike may refer to:*Last Spike , driven in 1885...
on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad
Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad
The Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad was a rail company that completed and operated a railway line between its namesake cities, via Las Vegas, Nevada. Incorporated in Utah in 1901 as the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad, the line was largely the brainchild of William Andrews Clark,...
line was driven.
With the construction of I-15
Interstate 15 in Nevada
In the U.S. State of Nevada, Interstate 15 begins in Primm, continues through Las Vegas and it crosses the border with Arizona in Mesquite. The freeway runs entirely in Clark County. Many motorists use Interstate 15 to visit Las Vegas, as it is the only primary Interstate Highway in the city. The...
, Las Vegas Boulevard went from being the main through road to one that only served as a city street for locals and tourists. The name change reflects its local importance rather than past names when it served as a main intra city road.
On October 16, 2009, the Federal Highway Administration
Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration is a division of the United States Department of Transportation that specializes in highway transportation. The agency's major activities are grouped into two "programs," the Federal-aid Highway Program and the Federal Lands Highway Program...
announced the designation of a new National Scenic Byway
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
on the boulevard. The 3.5 miles (5.6 km) section starting at Sahara Avenue and running north to Washington Avenue was designated the City of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Boulevard State Scenic Byway.
Route description
Las Vegas Boulevard runs the length of the city of Las Vegas in Clark CountyClark County, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,693 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.6% White , 9.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and 12.8% of other or mixed race. 22.0% were Hispanic of any race...
, Nevada. "The Boulevard", as it is sometimes called by longtime Las Vegas residents, starts at Apex, and continues south to about 2 mi (3.2 km) south of Jean
Jean, Nevada
Jean is a small commercial town in Clark County, Nevada, located approximately north of the Nevada-California state line along Interstate 15. Las Vegas is located about to the north...
, in the Mojave Desert
Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, in the United States...
. The Boulevard shows up again in Primm, Nevada
Primm, Nevada
Primm is a tiny community in Clark County, Nevada, United States, primarily notable for its position straddling Interstate 15 where it crosses the border between California and Nevada...
but is currently not connected to the northern sections.
At its northern end in Apex, the Boulevard starts in an industrial
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
complex of manufacturing plants and power plants running along the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
line. As you travel south, the road meets Nellis Air Force Base
Nellis Air Force Base
Nellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Combat Command .-Overview:...
on the east side and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located in Clark County, Nevada near Las Vegas, is a complex of multiple tracks for automobile racing. The complex is owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:...
on the west side.
As the road enters North Las Vegas
North Las Vegas, Nevada
North Las Vegas is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States, located in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The city was incorporated on May 16, 1946.-Geography:...
, it passes through some of the older commercial areas of the city. As the road approaches Las Vegas itself, you see some of what Vegas was as some of the older casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
s appear along with some of the older and more famous strip club
Strip club
A strip club is an adult entertainment venue in which striptease or other erotic or exotic dance is regularly performed. Strip clubs typically adopt a nightclub or bar style, but can also adopt a theatre or cabaret-style....
s.
On entering the city of Las Vegas, the Boulevard showcases the city's past with a number of museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
s. the Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park
Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park
Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park is a state park of Nevada, USA, containing the Old Mormon Fort, the first structure built by people of European blood in what would become Las Vegas fifty years later....
and the Neon Museum at the Fremont Street Experience
Neon Museum at the Fremont Street Experience
The Neon Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, features signs from old casinos and other businesses displayed outdoors on over . The museum is restoring the La Concha Motel lobby as its visitor center....
. On crossing Washington Avenue, the Boulevard is designated as the Downtown Las Vegas Boulevard Scenic Byway by the state. This designation continues down to Sahara Avenue.
Further south is a stretch of road that has many of the older motel
Motel
A motor hotel, or motel for short, is a hotel designed for motorists, and usually has a parking area for motor vehicles...
s, bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
s and wedding chapel
Wedding chapel
A wedding chapel is a place, other than a legal court, and usually also, other than a church, where couples can get legally married. A church may also be used as a wedding chapel, but churches are usually called that by the marrying couple when the ceremony only involves those contracting matrimony...
s that were among the high points of the old Vegas before the era of the megaresort
Megaresort
A Megaresort is a type of destination resort which is of an exceptionally large size, sometimes featuringlarge-scale attractions . The hotels along the Las Vegas Strip are most typically thought of as megaresorts owing to their immense size and complexity...
s.
Las Vegas Strip
Stratosphere Las Vegas
Stratosphere Las Vegas is a tower, hotel, and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Its tower is also the tallest observation tower, and the 5th-tallest structure, in the United States, as well as being the tallest structure in Las Vegas.It is owned by Whitehall...
and runs to Mandalay Bay
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is a 44-story luxury hotel casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It is owned by MGM Resorts International. Five floors of the main hotel building are occupied by the five-star and AAA Five-Diamond Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas...
. This is the section of the road most people are familiar with; it is home to casino megaresorts with their world famous lights and attractions. It is designated as an All-American Road. At the end of "The Strip", the road passes the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is a Las Vegas Strip landmark funded in May 1959 and erected soon after by Western Neon. The sign was designed by Betty Willis at the request of Ted Rogich, a local salesman, who sold it to Clark County, Nevada....
and runs along the western edge of the McCarran International Airport
McCarran International Airport
McCarran International Airport is the principal commercial airport serving Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada, United States. The airport is located five miles south of the central business district of Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise in Clark County. It covers an area of and...
property.
The "South Strip" is used to describe the section of Las Vegas Boulevard between Russell Road and Blue Diamond Road. Along this stretch, development thins out except for newer shopping mall
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
s, hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
s and condominium
Condominium
A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities in the piece such as hallways, heating system, elevators, exterior areas is executed under legal rights...
s as the Boulevard continues to travel south, just east of Interstate 15.