HELPING LAS VEGAS COMMUNITIES WITH INCREASING ECONOMY

Las Vegas, located in San Miguel County, New Mexico, was once two separate municipalities (one was a city and the other a town) named Las Vegas, respectivelyWest Las Vegas and East Las Vegas. The town of Las Vegas expanded rapidly due to the Railroad boom, in which the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroads arrived from the North on July 4, 1879.

Both municipalities joined forces to establish a station and other related developments one mile (1.6 km) east of the Plaza to maintain control of development rights, creating a separate, rival New Town. As a result of the railroad boom, it quickly became one of the largest cities in the American Southwest. Las Vegas featured all modern amenities, including the Castaneda Hotel, an electric street railway, the “Duncan Opera House” at the Northeast corner of Sixth St and Douglas Ave, and the Carnegie Library. The railroad’s arrival in 1879 brought new businesses, developments,

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and new respectable and shady settlers. In this modern time, the railroad is a convenient way of traveling and a place to explore New Mexico.

I believe that the railroad, while outdated, can be revived and renewed by serving as an aesthetic location while also serving as a mode of transportation to bring travelers to the farmer market and other surrounding local businesses, similar to The Railyards in Santa Fe, which will help attract new residents and ultimately, prosper the local economy. The Innovative Farmer’s Market will be located at 475 Railroad Ave, on Railroad Ave and Douglas Road, near Hay’s Plumbing,

Cascenda Hotel, and the train station.

While visiting the DPAC Studio in Las Vegas, NM, on February 3rd-4th, 2023, I observed the aftereffects of the Hermit’s Peak Fire. I found that in the aftermath of the fire, there was a lack of jobs. The younger generation was leaving the town due to the need for more affordability in terms of residency and the overall state of the economy. While most were struggling, the local artists and farmers had a few places to sell to support themselves and their families. Another thing that I found was that there was a strong sense of community in terms of neighbors supporting