Welcome to Las Vegas, New Mexico: The other Las Vegas! - Over 900 Historic Buildings

"Las Vegas is a city in and the county seat of San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States. Once two separate municipalities (one a city and the other a town), both were named Las Vegas-West Las Vegas ("Old Town") and East Las Vegas ("New Town"); they are separated by the Gallinas River and retain distinct characters and separate, rival school districts." - Wikipedia.org
The population was 13,753 at the 2010 census. Las Vegas is located 110 miles (180 km) south of Raton, 65 miles (105 km) east of Santa Fe, 122 miles (196 km) northeast of Albuquerque, 257 miles (414 km) south of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and 326 miles (525 km) south of Denver.
History:
Las Vegas was established in 1835 after a group of settlers received a land grant from the Mexican government. The town was laid out in the traditional Spanish Colonial style, with a central plaza surrounded by buildings which could serve as fortifications in case of attack. Las Vegas soon prospered as a stop on the Santa Fe Trail. During the Mexican-American War in 1846, Stephen W. Kearny delivered an address at the Plaza of Las Vegas claiming New Mexico for the United States. In 1847, the town was the site of the Battle of Las Vegas, which was a part of the broader Taos Revolt by local Hispanos and Pueblo peoples against occupying United States forces. In 1877 Las Vegas College, the precursor to Regis University, was founded in Las Vegas by a group of exiled Italian Jesuits. In 1887, Las Vegas College moved to Denver whereupon the name was changed.
Colleges:
Las Vegas is the home of New Mexico Highlands University, an important university in New Mexico especially for teacher training. Highlands has long had an excellent science, drama, art, and foreign language faculty. The art department was nationally renowned in the 1950s to 1970s and beyond. Also nearby, north of Las Vegas, is Luna Community College. The United World College in nearby Montezuma, New Mexico is a two-year international high school and one of the venues used by the International Baccalaureate Program for teacher training in the United States.
Film & Television:
Las Vegas, New Mexico has been a popular site for movies and television shows.
The 2012 A&E TV series Longmire starring Robert Taylor and Katee Sackhoff and set in Wyoming was filmed in Las Vegas.
The TV series House of Cards filmed in Las Vegas in November 2014 for two weeks. The footage was used in the third-season finale.
See Wikipedia.org for the complete list.
Links of Interest:
City of Las Vegas, New Mexico - www.lasvegasnm...
City of Las Vegas, New Mexico Tourism - www.visitlasve...
Ridley Kanzo Fast Gravel Bike Review (JOM's bike in this video) - wp.me/p4V4se-c69
Campagnolo Ekar 1x13-Speed Drivetrain Review (the groupset on JOM's bike) - wp.me/p4V4se-bSL
Amazon Affiliation Link:
No cost to you, but every purchase made helps keep Gravel Cyclist up and running! - www.amazon.com...
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[@cassandrafortanidad2519]

Man. You were about 1 street away from where I currently live. 24 years old. Born and raised. To see some of the streets that I walk down almost daily to Highlands here is incredible.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hope I did a good job of capturing the town, with almost no planning.

[@ben8405]

One story to read about, is about The SILVA Gang. It''s about the 'Old West'. Horse theived, bank robbers etc.------- They, hid out in the nearby mountains.

[@ElSnattlerake]

Thank you for the tour. I was born in Las Vegas several months before the attack on Pearl Harbor and grew up in and around Las Vegas through the 1960's, but last visited nearly 50 years ago. Your video brought back many memories.

[@smosh2499]

Is it better than the one in nevada

[@ElSnattlerake]

@@smosh2499 Better for outdoor recreation and climate.

[@ben8405]

N.m is a pleasent place to go see, and see the stars at night. Great history.

[@darinfoat8410]

I drove through Las Vegas, NM a few weeks ago, and spent about an hour checking out all of the lovely old homes and buildings. It's a really gorgeous town.

[@smosh2499]

Still doesnt beat the real las vegas in nevada

[@darinfoat8410]

@@smosh2499 I think it does.But I'm weird that way.

[@lonewanderer4248]

That building that you called the sheriffs office is actually just a movie set! There’s always a tv show or a movie being filmed here. Thank you for this awesome video showing our little town!

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you for the clarification!

[@ben8405]

yup!

[@davidhines68]

The show Longmire was filmed in part in Las Vegas, N.M. It was meant to be Wyoming, but New Mexico is a whole lot warmer than Wyoming, so I might have made the same compromise. The main character, Sheriff Walt Longmire, was played by Aussie actor Robert Taylor.

[@wesleyswaters8643]

That creek is the greatest sound, I love Las Vegas NM, tons and tons of historical value

[@lawrencefalk8714]

So much potential in that town! I hope they are successful!

[@davidj1436]

I live in Florida now, but came from New Mexico. Great little town, but sadly, it doesn’t have much of a chance to be what it once was.

[@mrc6182]

Also, some of feature film "No Country For Old Men" was filmed in Las Vegas. The centrally-located Plaza Hotel appeared as "Eagle Hotel" and both the exterior and interior were used as the backdrop for the two killers to meet.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks, I was unaware of that tidbit about that particular movie.

[@lonewanderer4248]

@@GravelCyclist most of the movie no country for old men was filmed in Las Vegas. Being from las Vegas every time I watch the movie I can name every street and location the movie was filmed.

[@rosaspanjol673]

Interesting!..did not know about another Las Vegas in New Mexico!… very, very interesting! Thanks for the video 👍👍

[@matthewj23]

That's my hometown both post offices are on the westside of Las Vegas actually.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks Matthew, appreciate the correction.

[@walmartynotc-jq1ps]

Not true the river make the separation the history has always stated that

[@simpletraveler86]

this is such a beautifully history area, its got to be trending up

[@edinelsonramirez5656]

Thanks so much for the slow bike-pace tours! Much appreciated! * Stay safe :)

[@greg1083]

That was some beautiful architecture. Painful to see so may boarded up. Thanks for the tour !

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

Honestly, I know how bad this sounds, but it’s probably for the best. If not, they would probably all be knocked down for a ugly skyscraper.

[@lonewanderer4248]

@@isaacsrandomvideos667 there’s no skyscrapers in Las Vegas New Mexico.

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

@@lonewanderer4248 All I’m saying is that nice vintage buildings are always torn down and turned into a modern architectural mess if they aren’t abandoned or in a dodgy area. This goes for the UK at least. Not necessarily a skyscraper

[@Episcopalianacolyte]

Viva Las Vegas New Mexico !💫🤎🤎🤎

[@wcw1lilkimiconicmcbrooklyn497]

I. 💪Love ❤️ LAS VEGAS NEW MEXICO USA 🇺🇸

[@doapSauce]

Hey i saw you when you were cruising! I live in lil Vegas.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hey! Enjoyed my brief time there, I much prefer Little Las Vegas vs the other Las Vegas!

[@ejbaca03]

I wish I would've known that you were in town. I could've showed you a few gravel roads I ride around.

[@GravelCyclist]

Sorry dude, it was a quick and unplanned visit as usual. But thank you. I love riding in New Mexico, hope to return.

[@tommahnke]

Been through that area many times had no idea that existed. Thank you for the tour.

[@jaimejaimeChannel]

cool. Big movie town - usually one or two TV shows / movies shooting at any given time, like right now (mid May, 2021).

[@georgetapley776]

Thanks for the video! I grew up in Las Vegas and live in Albuquerque. I do quite a bit of riding in the Las Vegas area. Like Erwin Baca, I would have loved to have taken you on some of the local gravel loops and given you a better tour of the Original Las Vegas,

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks George, hopefully I'll have an opportunity to visit the town again in the future. This visit was completely unplanned, decided morning of during my road trip.

[@ElSnattlerake]

Cousin George. You need a GoPro to go with your cycle so you can do your own Las Vegas channel! Larry

[@federicomendoza1460]

This is my home

[@praisegod7608]

Thanks !

[@anthonyochoa6883]

Ah Charlie’s love that place I have grandparents that have lived here a good part of their life so I’ve had my good share of trips out here

[@kariblazek6630]

I found a gorgeous piece of property near Las Vegas but the town looks so sad, which is saying a lot coming from a declining town in Minnesota.

[@Episcopalianacolyte]

Not "the other" but "the original Las Vegas!

[@rubydykes6959]

Came here for this comment! This is the ORIGINAL Las Vegas.

[@Episcopalianacolyte]

@@rubydykes6959 Las Vegas NV founded May 15, 1905. Las Vegas New Mexico founded 1835. The original is in New Mexico by 70 years. There is not one thing about Las Vegas Nevada that is genuine. It has no soul.

[@Episcopalianacolyte]

@@rubydykes6959 🤎🤎🤎

[@lAgent69l]

That masonic building at 4:27 is supposedly abandoned but like 2 days before this last Halloween, there was eerie screams in there. It sounded like a woman being tortured. I was only there for work and gave me and two of my coworkers a good scare tbh.

[@ArmyVet59]

Nice so many memories and it's still going the people?

[@Brian_yeah_that_brian_Strang]

Nicely done

[@serenaberkowitz1325]

Theodore Roosevelt was a rough rider, Yes. He was a Spanish American war veteran, Which is the war that ultimately lead to Puerto Rico being a territory.

[@goonjak74]

Great tour guide video mate, looks like the town from one of the Steven King's movie 👻👻👍

[@andreajimenez6053]

I kinda wanted to stop but passed it so I'm watching this to see what I didn't get to see 🤠

[@GravelCyclist]

Haha, this isn't the most comprehensive tour, I'm sure I missed something.

[@ArmyVet59]

East or West Las Vegas I went to Robertson and the X wife lived on the West side theirs only my granddaughter Samantha there now. Sam in Las Vegas Nevada

[@meandean222]

Las vegas, NEW Mexico is the original Las Vegas. It's a hundred years older than the one in nevada, and this is .Where all the gunfights took place Doc Holiday Etc.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you, appreciate you chiming in. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the OG Las Vegas!

[@ben8405]

Thank you we go there every few years. We have family history there. 1800''s 1880''s was a boom town. Lot"'s of cowboy history. Today, many nice folks run the town. The explorer, Coronado, and his army, we're there, on a long journey , around '1539'. They, had horses, carts, and supplies. They, started the journey in New Spain, ----What is now, Mexico. Most of the army, we're told that there were cities of GOLD. A BIG LIE. THEY WERE SENT ON THE JOURNEY, BECAUSE OF TOO MANY YOUNGSTARS IN WHAT IS NOW MEXICO CITY. THE, NEW SPANISH GOVERNMENT WANTED, PEACE AND QUIET IN THE EVENINGS. I read, early Southwest History. History reading is good for the Soul.

[@ben8405]

Yup!

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

3:00 believe that’s a Porsche 911 “T” around 1969 1972 or something)

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

1964-1976

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks, I own a newer vintage 911, but I'm less than familiar with the older generations. Beautiful vehicle regardless.

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

@@GravelCyclist same here lol, I have a basic rundown of the years, but I had to look up the “t” bit and the “1964-1976” bit. I personally prefer the 930’s.

[@GravelCyclist]

@@isaacsrandomvideos667 Ditto on the 930, particularly the turbo, but way out of my price range! I'm happy with my seemingly lowly, watercooled 996 turbo. :)

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

@@GravelCyclist yep. No clue why they are worth so much ether. I wouldn’t mind a 996 :)

[@lykn6929]

Not the "other Las Vegas" the original Las Vegas.

[@tonyjacobo3020]

There’s only 1 las vegas for the whole world. Las vegas nevada!

[@rubydykes6959]

@@tonyjacobo3020 uh no. This was here in 1835... Las Vegas Nevada 1905. There can only be one original and it is not Nevada.

[@lykn6929]

@@tonyjacobo3020 Las Vegas NM is the original. Meadow city. Vega means meadow.

[@michael-h8153]

@@tonyjacobo3020 i had a friend back in the late 80s who got a little messed up and decided to go to Vegas. He showed up in New Mexico and accused the city of not allowing him into the real Vegas city. They put him in jail for a few days until he sobered up and let him go with no charges, Nice of them, but tell that guy there is only one Las Vegas. lol.... he is dead now though.

[@Episcopalianacolyte]

I correct my previous coment. The original [and the best] best Las Vegas is in New Mexico.

[@ArizonaRed]

why leave oz?

[@GravelCyclist]

I left during a different time of life. I will return part-time when I retire from my regular gig in a few years.

[@roniberahaquartet477]

Sad to see how the modern commercial logos and signs covered the historical facades.They need professional heritage institution .

[@zan1524]

Looks like not a lot of people live there. It’s pretty empty

[@lonewanderer4248]

The population is only 12.5k but it has been declining since 1995 when it peaked at 14.9k.

[@mr.lavapup5555]

I lived in New Mexico my whole life and still live here I’m 14 I know every location he went to ,trust me u don’t wanna live here .

[@oliverlysaght]

Hey, why don't you like it?

[@hilaryapril7043]

Oliver...probably because he's 14 years old

[@oliverlysaght]

@@hilaryapril7043 Fair enough ha, he was just so convincing, I wasn't sure if there was something more to find out

[@lindasalas7828]

The original Las Vegas NM.

[@j.d.s8942]

Hi you from here, Las Vegas?

[@lindasalas7828]

@@j.d.s8942 No not anymore! Many decades ago.

[@j.d.s8942]

@@lindasalas7828 cool..

[@RainbowPRIDEVibes]

This town is absolutely full of predators..the fire chief who assaults his daughter. The west Las Vegas security guard hurting students. This town needs to board up predators instead of the buildings. The mayor Trujillo is the worst. :( led by police covering up their abuse and drug deals. :(

[@ben8405]

Ooh! oh! lock them up ! The problem today, everywhere, the have a very low budget to feed jailbirds. The 1 % is hogging all the money. Our government sending billions to fight the Russians in Ukraine. Our country is falling FAST! MEXICO IS GETTING MORE AMERICANS TO GO LIVE THERE