Wagner's Hotel/Ladies Home Photo from Donnelly Collection #1014 Courtesy of the Citizens' Committee for Historic Preservation

34. Wagner's Hotel/Ladies Home

S corner Mora & Washington

ca.1875-ca.1965

Theodore Wagner owned the Las Vegas Hotel building on the Plaza in the late 1870's and built this building as his home. When his hotel, the Wagner's Hotel, was removed to make room for the new Plaza Hotel in 1880, he established his Wagner's Hotel in this, his residence, a two-story Territorial style adobe with a pitched roof and dormers, that had 15 rooms. On March 4, 1884 the Ladies Relief Society was formed, "consisting of those who promised to help care for the sick and destitute."* In February 1888, the Daily Optic reported, "the young ladies cooking club(had) the honor of being the first to take active steps toward the building of a home or hospital. The cooking club cleared $155.95 for their supper...(the proceeds) were turned over to the Ladies Relief Society and formed the nucleus for the home." Eventually this nucleus grew to $4772.31 and this home was bought in 1890, establishing Las Vegas's first hospital. Elizabeth N. Higgins, assisted by Martha C. Raynolds, was the head of the Relief Society that accomplished this feat. Dr. Alice H. Rice was its first medical director. This building was removed to make room for a University hall. *Optic Building Edition 1899,pg. 6

Elizabeth N. Higgins Photo taken from Las Vegas Accepts a Challenge by William Salman