Las Vegas, New Mexico, was established by Mexican land grant in 1835, and was originally called Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores de Las Vegas Grandes (Our Lady of the Sorrows of the Great Meadows). The history of Las Vegas is influenced not only by many different cultures, but also by two important means of transportation. As a major trading point on the Santa Fe Trail, Las Vegas became a prosperous Spanish town with a wide variety of adobe structures. As trade on the trail increased, so did the variety of settlers and architecture in the town. The arrival of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad saw a further increase of new residents many of whom built Victorian houses reminiscent of their homes in the east. While the Victorian residences are quite a surprise to visitors, used to the Pueblo revival of Santa Fe, it is the combination of the indigenous adobe architecture and the variety of Victorian architecture that makes Las Vegas unique. Over 918 of these structures, both adobe and Victorian, survive today.
After finding this geocache, visit the three cemeteries located here on the west side of Las Vegas. The first is the Masonic Cemetery where many prominent people and their families are buried. These include U.S. Senators and judges. The second is the Jewish Montefiore Cemetery. In 1881, the large Jewish Community of Las Vegas, purchased land just west of town, adjacent to the Masonic cemetery. This was one of the first Jewish cemeteries west of the Mississippi. The Jewish citizens of Las Vegas were quite involved in civic affairs, and many were Masons and Woodsmen. Several are buried in the Masonic Cemetery, which existed before the Montefiore Cemetery was created. Some headstones in the Montefiore Cemetery are in the style of the fraternal organizations to which Jewish citizens belonged. The cemetery headstones reflect the vibrant Jewish history of Las Vegas and trace the migration of many pioneer merchants and other families from Europe. The third of the three cemeteries is the Odd Fellows Cemetery. Although smaller than the other two, it is an interesting place to visit and it too reflects the history of the town and its people.
No writing device supplied - bring your own pencil. This place is sacred to many so please exhibit due deference as you look around.