Anyone that’s visited the Springs Preserve (or is up on their local history) has learned about the site’s earliest significance as Springs Rancho. And John Howell, formerly of North Carolina, owned half that development. He’s one of eight people listed in the 1870 Census for the Las Vegas area, and he’s recognized as the first Black landowner in the valley. Howell also owned a freight business, and he was a gold prospector and rancher as well. We talk a lot about the people who built Las Vegas, but we don’t talk enough about John Howell. Fortunately, Southern Nevada Water District’s Nathan Harper will rectify that in this presentation about the life and legacy of a true pioneer.