Sun-baked earth welcomes you to Pittman Playground. This isn’t just any playground. It’s a portal to Henderson’s intriguing past. See this seemingly ordinary patch of green? It rests on land once part of Jericho Heights. This area thrived in the early 1930s housing workers building Hoover Dam.
Before the playground existed this was Midway City. In 1941 a massive Basic Magnesium Inc plant transformed the area. The plant boomed during World War II supplying magnesium for munitions. It employed thousands. The government built housing for these workers right where you stand.
The playground’s location holds a poignant secret. Nearby Carver Park once housed BMI’s Black employees. It stood as a segregated community. This echoes the complexities of Henderson’s early years. This playground today represents unity and inclusion. It stands in contrast to the past segregation.
After the war the plant and town were sold. Nevada’s legislature cleverly hired Basic Management Inc to run the site. This ensured the area’s development. They still work on reclaiming contaminated land. This history resonates throughout Henderson. It shaped this city. This includes the playground you see today.
The town was later renamed Henderson. It was named after Senator Charles B Henderson. The city grew rapidly. It became Nevada’s second largest city. Businesses moved in. This small playground is evidence of that growth. It is part of a larger story.
In 1951 the first Henderson Home News appeared. The city’s first radio station KBMI-AM also started broadcasting. They played music and talked to troops stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. This tiny playground bears silent witness to those times. It is a living piece of history.
So as you swing or slide remember this isn’t simply a place for fun. It’s a place where history and the future meet. It’s a place where the echoes of war workers and the laughter of children blend. Pittman Playground is a small piece of a remarkable story. A story woven into the fabric of Henderson. It lives on in this vibrant space.