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Nearly half a century ago during
a visit to Southern Nevada, President John F. Kennedy predicted
that the then fledgling City of Henderson was a "city of
destiny." Little could he have known just how accurate a
prediction he was making. Henderson was actually "born in
America's defense" ten years prior to its incorporation during
World War II with the building of the Basic Magnesium Plant. The
plant supplied the US War Department with magnesium for
munitions and airplane parts. Mayor Jim Gibson's own father,
Fred Gibson, was one of the original engineers sent to Great
Britain to learn the secret of creating the "miracle metal"
which would eventually help the United States and the allies win
the war. However, in l947, magnesium production was no longer
necessary for defense and most of the 14,000 BMI employees moved
away. Enrollment in the school system was reduced by two thirds
and well over half the townsite houses, built to house plant
workers, went vacant. In 1947 the United States War Asset
Administration actually offered Henderson for sale as war
surplus property. In an effort to save the city, the Nevada
Legislature spent a weekend visiting Henderson evaluating the
possibility of state administration of Basic Magnesium. Within
days of the visit, the legislators unanimously approved a bill
giving the Colorado River Commission of Nevada the authority to
purchase the industrial plants. Governor Vail Pittman signed the
Bill on March 27, 1947, helping save Henderson from becoming war
surplus property. With the help of local industry, the City of
Henderson, Nevada, was officially incorporated on April 16,
1953. On May 23, 1953, Henderson, with its population of 7,410,
elected Dr. Jim French as the town's first Mayor. Originally
about 13 square miles in size, the City quickly began to grow
and flourish. Today, the City of Henderson has grown to more
than 94.5 square miles and is the second largest city in Nevada.
Henderson is often referred to as having small town values with
big city efficiencies. The city's official slogan "Henderson—a
Place to Call Home" reflects a community that enjoys small town
values while benefiting from big city efficiencies. An
increasing number of major shopping malls, movie theater
complexes, restaurants and casino resorts offer residents a
variety of choices for leisure time. "Shakespeare in the Park"
celebrated its tenth anniversary in l996, a testament to the
community's long standing support for the arts and cultural
programs. The City also boasts the largest recreational facility
– the Multigenerational Facility at Liberty Pointe – in Nevada
as well as Nevada's only scenic Bird Preserve. The City supports
a variety of other cultural events as well, many of which are
held at the outdoor amphitheater, the largest one of its kind in
Nevada. Henderson is also located just a few miles from McCarran
International Airport, and the Henderson Executive Airport,
recently acquired by Clark County, is planned for major
renovation and development as a reliever airport to McCarran.
With the recent completion of I-215 into Henderson, the City is
more accessible than ever. Of all the cities within Clark
County, Henderson has perhaps the brightest future for Southern
Nevada. Master- |
