https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168 Clark Avenue Railroad Underpass (or Bonanza Underpass) Las Vegas, Nevada en-us 2019-02-02 02:39:09 UTC 2025-11-20 20:45:41 UTC hello@padlet.com emcdowell5 https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326918206 Clark County, Las Vegas, Nevada]]> 2019-02-02 03:19:23 UTC https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326918206 emcdowell5 https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326918851 2019-02-02 03:31:47 UTC https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326918851 emcdowell5 https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326919212 The Clark Avenue Railroad Underpass was funded and completed by the Works Progress Administration, or the WPA.]]> 2019-02-02 03:39:15 UTC https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326919212 emcdowell5 https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326919378 The underpass was started and completed in 1937. ]]> 2019-02-02 03:42:36 UTC https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326919378 emcdowell5 https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326919693 Prior to the building of the underpass, the Westside and the east side of Las Vegas were physically divided by dangerous railroad tracks.

"The construction of the underpass was a civic attempt to ease the straining relationship between the white and black communities, as well as a means to facilitate infrastructure improvement on the Westside," (Mooney, 2003). ]]> 2019-02-02 03:49:54 UTC https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326919693 emcdowell5 https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326919983 The underpass was a symbolic representation of the “opening up” of what is now called West Las Vegas. 

The underpass continues to serve as a safe and convenient way for citizens to safely cross the tracks, while traveling along Union Pacific Railroad (Los Angeles and Salt Lake City railroad tracks).

According to Las Vegas’ historic preservation officer, Courtney Mooney (2003), prior to the construction of the underpass, the railroad was a “physical, economic, and cultural divide” between middle-class white families and poor, African American communities.

Part of the goal was to desegregate these communities and positively affect the greater Las Vegas community.  

Unfortunately, the underpass “…did not stimulate economic redevelopment of the Westside as it had hoped to” (Mooney, 2003). ]]> 2019-02-02 03:57:00 UTC https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326919983 emcdowell5 https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326920222 2019-02-02 04:01:43 UTC https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326920222 emcdowell5 https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326920431 The underpass is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significant contribution in bridging two communities.]]> 2019-02-02 04:06:16 UTC https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326920431 emcdowell5 https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326920602 When originally constructed, the underpass was along Clark Avenue, which has since been renamed to Bonanza Road. Thus, many refer to it as the Bonanza Underpass. 

Additionally, with the widening of Bonanza Road, the underpass has undergone few, minor structural changes. ]]> 2019-02-02 04:11:14 UTC https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326920602 emcdowell5 https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326921435 Details the historical significance of the Clark Avenue Underpass. ]]> 2019-02-02 04:29:44 UTC https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326921435 emcdowell5 https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326921808 Kalish, E. (2014). Nevada: Clark Avenue Railroad Underpass. Living New Deal. https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/clark-avenue-railroad-underpass-las-vegas-nv/

Mooney, Courtney (2003). "Clark Avenue Railroad Underpass". National Register of Historic Places-Registration Form. National Park Service. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/03001509_text      ]]> 2019-02-02 04:38:02 UTC https://padlet.com/emcdowell5/6v0w8kf8o168/wish/326921808