July, 1 2009 marked Clark County's 100th birthday. The county has been celebrating the centennial throughout the year with exhibits, performances, panel discussions, and all kinds of other things that you can find at accessclarkcounty.com, but there was also a celebration a century ago, and timing is everything.
The celebration of Clark County's birth tied in nicely with the Fourth of July in 1909 the Fourth of July fell on a Sunday, so Las Vegas held off on the celebration until Monday, the Las Vegas age warned that doings will begin early on, the fifth at 4am to the music of patriotic errors played by the band with bells ringing and steam whistles screaming with joy, the boom of guns will welcome the day in which Vegas extends her first Hospitality as the county seat of Clark County.
If the arrival of 12:01am July 1, is any criterion, there will be plenty of noise to satisfy the most exacting. Then the town band would play patriotic music for about an hour. Las Vegas built a grandstand near the freight house at the south end of town and put up canvas over it. After all, whether it's July 1, 1909 or July 1, 2009 in Las Vegas, it's hot at that time of the year.
The excitement began at 10am with introductions Justice of The Peace H.M. Lillis presided with the band and Glee Club playing patriotic songs between speeches, Lillis started by reciting the history of the fight for county division. Another attorney, David Scott, read the Declaration of Independence. The main speaker, District Attorney W.R. Thomas, talked about the meaning of the Fourth of July. He also announced that he and his fellow county officials were committed to a, "strictly honest, economical and businesslike administration of county affairs." When Thomas finished, the crowd listened to the reading of a congratulatory telegram from the county's namesake, William A. Clark, the Montana copper baron and railroad builder, and then everyone sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and the formal part of the festivities was over.
Now came the informal part, 50 and 75 yard dashes for boys and girls, an obstacle race open to everyone, a wheelbarrow race and a burrow race. Then came another series of foot and bicycle races, Goodsprings and Las Vegas played each other in a baseball game. At 5pm came fun courtesy of the volunteer firemen. Exciting contests between hose companies, don't get wet. The two companies will start from the corner of second and Fremont and run to fire hydrants on First Street. The company breaking the paper on a hoop at the corner of first and Fremont Street wins. And after that, Las Vegans went to the opera house at second and Fremont. The band played an open air concert at 7pm with fireworks at 8pm and a grand ball at 9pm.
The Age reported the display of fireworks was very good and formed a fitting clothes to the out of door celebration. The Opera House was decorated in the national colors, the music excellent and a gay crowd tripped the light fantastic until a late hour. Even in 1909 it appears Las Vegas knew how to have a party. And in 2009 it was a year long celebration for Clark County. We'll talk more about the County's history and future editions of Nevada yesterdays. This is Senator Richard Bryan urging you to join me next time for more Nevada yesterdays.
