September celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month, offering an opportunity to reflect on the people, places, and traditions that have influenced our nation. We also want to recognize an important effort by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to document and share a vital part of that state’s Latino history.
Beginning in 2018, NDOT launched a statewide study focused on Latino history in Nevada. Instead of waiting for individual projects to uncover pieces of the story, the agency took a proactive approach, recognizing that Latino contributions have long been underrepresented in traditional histories despite their deep influence on the state’s development. Working with Mead & Hunt, NDOT set out to build a deeper understanding of Latino history across Nevada and create a foundation for greater recognition, and appreciation.
Uncovering the Stories That Shaped Nevada
The research revealed a vibrant history that stretches from Nevada’s earliest years to the present day.
Latino miners contributed knowledge and technology that helped develop Nevada’s mining industry. Railroad workers connected communities across the state. Agricultural laborers supported farming regions, while entrepreneurs, educators, civic leaders, journalists, architects, and community advocates influenced cities from Reno and Sparks to Las Vegas and more.
The study documented both the people behind this history and the places connected to them, showing how Latino communities contributed to Nevada’s economic, cultural, and social development. From mining landscapes and agricultural communities to businesses, schools, labor organizations, and community gathering places, the research demonstrated that Latino history is woven throughout Nevada’s historical landscape.
The project also helped to reveal important stories beyond Nevada’s cities. In Moapa Valley, a rural agricultural community northeast of Las Vegas, research is helping document the history of Latino agricultural workers and migrant farmworker families who contributed to the region’s farming economy. Working with local Moapa Valley residents is providing valuable insight into the people, places, and traditions that shaped community life, demonstrating that Nevada’s Latino heritage is embedded in rural landscapes as well as urban centers.
“Working with residents in Moapa Valley helped us uncover stories that might otherwise have been overlooked. Learning about the experiences of Latino farmworker families and the places connected to them has contributed to a more complete picture of Nevada’s history and helps us share that history with a wider audience through the Nevada Latino Project.”
— C. Cliff Creger, Chief of Cultural Resources, Nevada Department of Transportation
Creating a Foundation for New Stories
A major outcome of the effort was a statewide history titled Historic Places Associated with Latinos in Nevada, 1864-2000, which provides a strong historical context for understanding places connected to Latino history throughout the state. The study established a framework for identifying significant locations by examining Latino figures, organizations, events, and traditions that impacted Nevada.
The statewide history study became a catalyst for continued public engagement. Building on this foundation, NDOT expanded the effort through the Nevada Latino Project, an online resource that shares historic places, oral histories, educational materials, and community perspectives from across the state. What began as a research effort evolved into an ongoing platform that helps make Nevada’s Latino history more visible and accessible.
The significance of this work has also been recognized nationally. In 2024, the American Cultural Resources Association honored NDOT with its Public Sector Industry Award for the statewide special studies program, recognizing the agency’s leadership in documenting and sharing important aspects of Nevada’s cultural heritage.
Inspiring New Conversations
The statewide study demonstrates the value of uncovering and documenting locations and stories that exemplify Latino history in Nevada, so they are not lost or forgotten. By proactively building an understanding of Latino history in Nevada, NDOT helped create opportunities for continued discovery, learning, and community connection.
Nevada’s history has been influenced by diverse cultures. Through NDOT’s vision and the collaborative efforts of historians, community members, and others, Latino voices continue to enrich our understanding of Nevada’s past and present.
