<P> Eleven years later members of the LDS Church chose Las Vegas as the site to build a fort halfway between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, where they would travel to gather supplies . The fort was abandoned several years afterward . The remainder of this Old Mormon Fort can still be seen at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue . </P> <P> Las Vegas was founded as a city in 1905, when 110 acres (45 ha) of land adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks were auctioned in what would become the downtown area . In 1911, Las Vegas was incorporated as a city . </P> <P> 1931 was a pivotal year for Las Vegas . At that time, Nevada legalized casino gambling and reduced residency requirements for divorce to six weeks . This year also witnessed the beginning of construction on nearby Hoover Dam . The influx of construction workers and their families helped Las Vegas avoid economic calamity during the Great Depression . The construction work was completed in 1935 . </P> <P> In 1941, the Las Vegas Army Air Corps Gunnery School was established . Currently known as Nellis Air Force Base, it is home to the aerobatic team called the Thunderbirds . </P>

How many miles is it to las vegas nevada