“A generation which ignores history has no past — and no future.”

Though the quote was uttered by famed science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein, officials with Preserve Nevada — a statewide historic preservation organization — say the words are true to real life, especially here in the Silver State.

In honor of Historic Preservation Month this May, the group has released its latest list of Nevada’s most endangered historic places. From physical locations to people to concepts, Preserve Nevada calls on community members, government and nonprofit agencies, and other collaborators to fight for the 12 treasures’ survival.

“For more than 20 years, Preserve Nevada has been on a quest to save our state’s history from disrepair or complete disappearance,” said Michael Green, chair of the history department at UNLV and Preserve Nevada’s executive director. “The past — and the future lessons we can still learn from it — is important. Our hope is that we inspire interest in history and preservation, and perhaps people will volunteer, or donate, or take the time to reach out to appropriate elected officials so that we can continue to honor Nevada’s legacy.” 

La Concha Motel

The La Concha — which serves as the lobby to the Neon Museum — preserves the art of historic and internationally known architect Paul Revere Williams. Built more than 60 years ago and moved to its current site in 2006, the motel is part of the federally recognized U.S. Scenic Highway, which extends from the La Concha to the Las Vegas Strip. The Neon Museum, as part of its planned expansion and move to the Arts District, has proposed relocating the La Concha Motel exterior and lobby again to a one-way street next to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Preserve Nevada preservationists fear that the fragile building may not survive another move, and urge extreme caution and protective measures during the relocation.

Diverse Perspectives in Nevada History and Nevada History Itself

Student knowledge of Nevada history has declined amid other requirements in K-12 and higher education. And Nevada nonprofits dedicated to sharing the history of women, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, Black, and other minority populations have long had difficulty securing funding and infrastructure for projects from the federal government. Now, recent developments affecting the National Endowment for the Humanities — and thus Nevada Humanities — will further affect student learning about significant historic people, places, and events that helped shape our state. 

For example: The Women Who Saved History podcast, co-hosted by UNLV Libraries historians Claytee D. White and Su Kim Chung, focuses on women's contributions to the state of Nevada. The pair was working to put forward standards-based curriculum units and lessons with the help of Nevada Humanities grant monies. However, such funding is no longer available and Preserve Nevada is worried that budget woes impacting this and similar projects will cause the contributions of women and other marginalized populations to be largely forgotten. 

Nevada's Motor Courts/Motels

From downtown Reno to downtown Las Vegas and main streets throughout rural and urban Nevada, auto courts and motor motels — built from the 1920s to 1960s —  were once important places for tourists who had been driving or preferred to stay outside the heart of town. The buildings and marquees reflect nearly every architectural style, including Mid-century Modern, Art Deco, and Googie. But many have burned down, are in disrepair, and are at risk of disappearing altogether. 

This is especially true In Las Vegas, where motor courts and motels once thrived. Many of these properties are up for sale, but the buildings are in poor condition. After a New Year’s Eve 2024 fire, the historic Lucky Motel, as well as the Travelers Motel next door – two of the oldest on Fremont Street – are slated for demolition. As investment grows in the 18b/Arts District area of Main Street, Preserve Nevada preservationists worry that recent progress in Fremont East will be largely forgotten and spell a bleak future for the motels.

Historians within the NPS & Federal Historic Sites

The National Park Service is poised to lose an enormous portion of its staff because of recent cuts. Historic sites may be deeply affected just as the summer tourism rush arrives. This also has an impact on behind-the-scenes operations, including the processing of nominations for the National Register. Preserve Nevada calls on community members, elected officials, and other stakeholders to show support for Silver State national parks and monuments, and — if budgets are to be cut — to take into account the need to protect these historic places and knowledge of them.

East 4th St. Corridor, Reno

Preserve Nevada supports the City of Reno’s efforts to capitalize on the area’s recent economic energy and repurpose the corridor’s older buildings for modern uses. Originally a county road, this street was designated as part of the transcontinental Lincoln Highway and later the Victory Highway. It includes the famous Louis’ Basque Corner, as well as a historic railroad depot designed by legendary Nevada architect Frederic DeLongchamps and repurposed today as The Depot Craft Brewery Distillery. 

Elko Commercial Hotel

The Commercial Hotel initially opened as the Humboldt Lodging House in 1869, and the two-story brick building added in 1893 remains its core. Under the ownership of Newt Crumley (who later went on to become a legislator and higher education regent), in 1941 it became the first hotel-casino to bring in big-name entertainers. The Commercial remains open as an “entertainment center/arcade,” with a polar bear as an attraction, but it remains a target for destruction.

Florence Mine

Gold was first discovered on what was to become the Florence Mine Claim in May 1903, subsequently contributing to creation of the last great gold rush of the American West. Located on Florence Hill and constructed in 1905-06, the mine became one of Goldfield’s most famous, producing as much as $9 million in revenue by 1910. The Florence remains one of the best-preserved historic mines in Nevada — and its culturally significant headframe, hoist house, complete carpenter/machine shops, and outhouse are the only such structures remaining in all of the Goldfield Mining District. However, the structures are deteriorating with age: The headframe is structurally unstable after losing numerous bracing timbers. The hoist house’s east foundation has settled significantly. And missing doors and windows and roof leaks have enabled the elements to take their toll on the other buildings.

Bartlett House, Tonopah

Eureka, Nev. native George Bartlett — a district attorney of his home county, two-term Congressman, assistant U.S. attorney, and state judge — was considered the father of Nevada’s divorce law. He granted about 20,000 marital splits, including for leading celebrities of the time. He built a house in Tonopah, where he lived before his Congress run, and lost ownership in the Panic of 1907. The home later became a Knights of Columbus hall and was most recently being renovated to become a bed and breakfast. It’s on the National Register and is known for its Shingle style, which was common in the Northeast but extremely rare in Nevada. Assuring this house’s preservation is vital to the history of Nevada politics, law, and architecture. 

Huntridge and Lear Theaters

The Huntridge opened in Las Vegas in 1944. After a series of ownership changes, a detailed restoration proposal has been produced. However, construction has yet to begin. Reno’s Lear Theatre, designed by famed architect Paul Revere Williams, is also in danger. Both theaters are longtime stalwarts of the National Register of Historic Places. But that designation offers little protection, and Preserve Nevada is calling on the state of Nevada and local governments to protect and preserve the buildings.

Mormon Fort/Stewart Ranch

Nevada's oldest existing structure, built by Latter-day Saints missionaries in 1855, stands in downtown Las Vegas as part of the Old Mormon Fort State Park. The park's history includes serving as the home of the area's first post office, pioneer ranching families (including "First Lady of Las Vegas" Helen Stewart), the local Indigenous population, and chemical testing for Hoover Dam construction. The area surrounding the historic site is undergoing massive transformation. The State of Nevada has moved its primary southern Nevada offices from the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, and the City of Las Vegas has sold the site for private development to the east and south of the historic fort/mission. Amid the area’s uncertain future, Preserve Nevada urges leaders to incorporate safety and security for the historic site into their revitalization plans for the area.

Nevada’s Historic Markers

The legislature approved the creation of historical markers throughout the state in 1967. But after major budget cuts in 2009, the program halted and funding for consistent maintenance and updates dried up, leaving about 270 markers damaged or incorrect. The Nevada Division of State Parks is responsible for upkeep and has made some repairs, but monies for updates, replacement, or expansion haven’t been included in budgets from the executive or legislative branches of Nevada government. 

Nevada’s Historic Schools

Preserve Nevada is concerned about upkeep of several historic Silver State educational facilities: Maintenance of aging buildings is often challenging, meeting modern code requirements can be difficult, and there have been struggles implementing new technologies without damaging existing architectural features. For example, Winnemucca Grammar School faced ADA compliance violations without an elevator to reach its second-story library. So, school officials were forced to move it to the first-floor music room because there was no plausible solution for the installation of a lift. Fortunately, the Humboldt County School District has supported the extra work to maintain the aging building — but not all older schools are being so well supported.