Born in America’s defense Henderson emerged from the desert during World War II. Henderson is more than just Nevada’s second-largest city. It’s a place forged in the heat of wartime necessity.
Originally Henderson was a township, rising in the 1940s. The Basic Magnesium Plant was built here. Henderson quickly became the main supplier of magnesium for the United States. It was even called the miracle metal of World War II. The plant strengthened aluminum for airplane engines using 25% of Hoover Dam’s power.
After the war magnesium production declined. Henderson’s future was uncertain. Most of the Black Mountain Industrial Complex’s employees moved away. In 1947 the United States War Asset Administration offered Henderson for sale as war surplus property.
But Henderson didn’t fade away. With the help of local industry it incorporated on April 16 1953. Henderson elected Dr Jim French as its first mayor on May 23 1953. Henderson has grown from 13 square miles to over 100.
Henderson faced disaster on May 4 1988. The PEPCON chemical plant experienced a catastrophic fire and explosions. It resulted in two fatalities and injured over 300. The explosions registered seismic activity equivalent to a 3.5 magnitude earthquake. PEPCON ceased operations here after the incident.
Today Henderson thrives. The city boasts master-planned communities like Green Valley. Henderson has more bachelor’s and master’s degree-holding residents per capita than other Southern Nevada cities.
Henderson’s economy is diverse. TIMET manufactures titanium here. Levi Strauss utilizes advanced laser technology to create custom-designed denim products in Henderson. Haas Automation is constructing a major production facility. Google operates a $600 million data center. Amazon operates multiple facilities. The Las Vegas Raiders maintain their headquarters here.
Arts and culture flourish in Henderson. The Henderson Multigenerational Facility is Nevada’s largest recreational facility.
Henderson is home to the Las Vegas Raiders and the Las Vegas Aces. The Raiders’ Intermountain Health Performance Center opened in June 2020. The Aces have a dedicated practice facility.
With over 37 miles of trails Henderson encourages outdoor activities. The city operates under a council-manager form of government.
Henderson is a city of innovation resilience and community. It evolved from wartime necessity to a modern thriving city. Henderson is a place to call home.