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| A well derrick marks the spot of
an old, underground well at the springs. |
The Springs Preserve
In the middle of the Las Vegas Valley, near
the Meadows Mall, there is a place where natural pools of water used to flow. People
noticed Las Vegas because of the springs.
History
of the springs
More than 10,000 years ago the natural springs flowed out of the ground,
creating a small stream and grassy meadows. Native Americans lived near
the springs up to 5,000 years ago.
John
C. Fremont was one of the first European settlers to camp at the springs.
He put Las Vegas on the map. Later, a railroad station was built
here because the springs gave the steam locomotives the water they needed
to travel between Utah and Southern California.
The springs stopped flowing to the surface in 1962
after Southern Nevada's population reached 119,000. People did not conserve
water and used more water from the springs than nature could fill up.
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| The Springs Preserve includes walking trails, gardens and museums. |
The Preserve
The Springs Preserve marks the area where the springs
used to flow out of the ground. Developed by the Las Vegas Valley Water District, it features walking trails, history exhibits and more.
If you want to learn more about the Springs Preserve, visit their
Web site at springspreserve.org.
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