COMMUNITY PROFILE

History and Location
The City of Las Vegas and San Miguel County is located in scenic northern New Mexico, combined natural beauty, unique architecture, exquisite arts and interesting people. Las Vegas boasts more than 900 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The unique beauty found among the local architecture is impressive. Buildings range from New Mexico-style adobe homes scattered all along the Santa Fe Trail to Victorian buildings constructed after the arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad in 1879. If anything can top Las Vegas' architectural splendor it is San Miguel County's natural beauty. With mountains and valleys, mesas and canyons, marshes and green belts, northern New Mexico contains some of the most beautiful and unique landscape in the state. Las Vegas is a close-knit community. The people are friendly and share a strong sense of tradition and deep pride in their culture and heritage. Las Vegas isn't "south-western chic," it is 100 percent authentic.

Las Vegas is often considered a living museum. A stroll through town can turn into a cultural event. Las Vegas' city library is housed in the only surviving Carnegie Library in New Mexico. The Las Vegas City Museum and Rough Rider Memorial Collection displays the area's rich history and features Rough Rider memorabilia such as uniforms and photos from the Spanish American War. New Mexico Highlands University's Ilfeld Auditorium, one of the state's architectural gems, is the site of many theatrical and musical productions. The City of Las Vegas also has an active Design Review Board, which oversees activity in five historic districts.

Las Vegas and San Miguel County celebrate history and culture with frequent festivals, fiestas and fairs such as the Santa Fe Trail Heritage Days, 4th of July Fiestas and Places with a Past Historical Buildings Tour. Because of the growing number of artists in the area many art shows and tours are held throughout the year.

Recreation

Local Attractions and Facilities (within about 50 miles):
City of Las Vegas, Recreation Facility 1308 Grant (505) 454-1158
Gallinas Canyon Complex
Golf Course New Mexico Highlands University (505) 425-7711
Historic Plaza
Montezuma Hot Springs
Montezuma Ice Skating Pond
Pecos River Complex
Rough Riders Memorial & Las Vegas Museum 727 N. Grand (505) 454 1401 http://www.arco-iris.com/
Softball Complex, Michael Rodriguez
Zamora Roping Productions (Rodeo Events) www.zamoraroping.com

Skiing
Angel Fire Ski Area
Sipapu Ski Area
Ski Santa Fe
Taos Ski Valley

State Parks
Capulin Volcano National Monument (505) 278-2201 http://www.nps.gov/cavo
Cimarron Canyon State Park (505) 377-6271 www.cimmarronnm.com
Coyote Creek State Park
Fort Union National Park (505) 425-8025 www.nps.gov/found
Morphy Lake State Park
Pecos National Historic Park (505) 757=6414 www.nps.gov/peco
Storrie Lake State Park (505) 425-7278
Sugarite Canyon State Park (505) 445-5607
Villanueva State Park

Other Attractions

Antonio Sanchez Cultural Center

Carson National Forest

Cleveland Roller Mill Museum (505) 387-2645

Herzstein Memorial Museum 2nd and Walnut Clayton (505) 374-2977 www.herzsteinmuseum.org

Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands

Kit Carson Museum (505) 376-2281

Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge

Lisboa Springs State Hatchery

Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

McAllister Lake at Las Vegas

Point of Rocks

Raton Museum 216 S. 1st Street (505) 445-8979

Santa Fe Trail Museum 606 Maxwell Ave., Springer (505) 483-5554

Santa Fe National Forest (505) 425-3534