Arden, Nevada

The San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad (later part of the Union Pacific Railroad) began operating through the area in 1905.[3] The railroad's Arden station, located about 12 miles (19 km) south of Las Vegas, was named for Arden, the New York estate of E. H. Harriman, the railroad's co-owner.[4][5] By 1906, Arden was serving as a shipping point for the Potosi mine.[6][7]

The Arden post office was established in 1907.[8] Around that time, William K. Moore, who has been credited as Arden's founder, discovered gypsum deposits in the nearby mountains.[9] With financing from Southern California businessmen, Moore started the Arden Plaster Company, which opened a mill at the site in 1908.[9][10] It was reported to be the second largest gypsum plant in the country.[10] A narrow-gauge railroad was constructed to connect the plant to the gypsum mine, 5 miles (8.0 km) away.[11]

The plaster plant burned down in 1912, but was quickly rebuilt.[9][12][13] In 1919, it was purchased by the United States Gypsum Company.[14] The plant was closed and dismantled in 1930 due to a decline in the construction industry.[15]

A railroad spur line was built in 1925 to connect Arden to the Blue Diamond Mine, 11 miles (18 km) to the northwest.[16]

A gravel pit was established at Arden in the mid-1950s, and operated until 1978, growing to 160 acres (65 ha) in size.[17]

Clark County built a fallout shelter at Arden in the 1950s or 1960s to house regional government leaders in case of an attack on Las Vegas.[18][19] The shelter was maintained at least until the 1980s.[19]

In 1958, United Airlines Flight 736, a Douglas DC-7 passenger aircraft, collided with a United States Air Force F-100 jet fighter near Arden, killing all 49 people aboard the two aircraft.[20]

The Arden post office was closed in 1971.[21] In 1981, Arden was reported to have around 40 residents.[9]