The History of Henderson, NV

Henderson, Nevada became known only 10 years prior to World War II. President John F. Kennedy pronounced the southern Nevada city a “City of Destiny.” Henderson is home to the Basic Magnesium Plant. This plant supplied the United States Military with magnesium for airplane parts and munitions during the war. After the war, the plant closed and most of the 14,000 out-of-work residents left Henderson leaving it in a “Ghost Town” state. In 1947 Henderson was offered for sale by the United States War Asset Administration as war surplus property.

The Nevada legislature spent a weekend in Henderson, in an attempt to save the city, evaluating the possibility of state administration of Basic Magnesium. The legislators approved a bill within days of their visit, giving the Colorado River Commision of Nevada the authority to purchase the plants. A bill was signed on March 27,1947, by Governor Vail Pittman, to help save Henderson from becoming war surplus property.

Henderson was officially incorporated on April 16, 1953. Dr. Jim French was elected as the town’s first mayor on May 23, 1953. At the time, Henderson had a population of 7,410. Currently Henderson is the second largest city in Nevada with a population of 260,161.

Of all the cities in the Clark County area, Henderson has the most potential for the future of Southern Nevada. Henderson is booming with residential areas, shopping, entertainment, new roads, and outstanding parks and facilities. Henderson is by far one of the most dynamic communities in the nation.