Las Vegas: The Stewart ranch was bought by the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad and in 1905, divided into lots and auctioned off creating the new town. Las Vegas became the seat of Clark County when it was created in 1908. . Once known as "The Gateway to Goldfield", the small railroad town saw little growth until the 1930's & 40's and by 1960 the gambling and tourist mecca surpassed Reno in population.