Las Vegas High School Neighborhood Historic District

The Las Vegas High School Neighborhood Historic District is a residential and institutional area with over 150 preserved buildings spread across roughly 15 acres, primarily built in Pueblo Revival style. The architecture features stucco-covered concrete walls and colorful painted decorations, particularly visible on the main school buildings and surrounding homes.

The school building and gymnasium were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, with the entire neighborhood district following in 1991. This recognition preserved a key part of Las Vegas's early 20th-century architectural and residential development.

The 'Senior Squares' tradition involves students painting designs on cement slabs at the school entrance to mark their graduation, a custom that has connected generations to this place since 1941. Visitors can see these painted squares as ongoing records of student life and celebration.

The district spans from Gass Avenue to 6th Street to Garces Avenue and is best explored on foot, with the school buildings serving as the visible center. The surrounding residential blocks are mostly open to the public, giving you a clear sense of the neighborhood's historical layout and character.

The main buildings were designed by George A. Ferris and his son, a father-and-son architectural team known for their innovative polychrome decorative patterns on stucco surfaces. This family partnership shaped the visual identity of the complex in ways that remained influential for the neighborhood's character.