Las Vegas, New Mexico

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")—are separated by the Gallinas River and retain distinct characters. The population was 14,565 at the 2000 census.

Old town 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. The railroad arrived in 1879, and created the "New Town". Outlaws came with the railroad, most famously Billy the Kid.

Las Vegas in The House of Daniel
While Las Vegas had been a "rip-snorting" place once, by May, 1934, it much more sedate, although it still had plenty of characteristics of an actual city. The House of Daniel played the semipro Maroons, winning 6-2. After the game, the House had to make their way through a gauntlet of beggars, including a young woman working as a prostitute. While none of the players wanted her services, they all felt guilty enough to give her some money.