23 Nevada Facts That Will Surprise You

Published June 2, 2025

Because Nevada was created as a state during the Civil War, it is known as the "Battle Born State."_[8]
In the 1940s, Nevada was the least populated state in America. However, after establishing lenient divorce and gambling laws, the state became a major tourist spot, and its population increased dramatically._[13]
The word "Nevada" is from the Spanish word nevado, meaning "snowy mountains."_[6]
The discovery of silver in 1859 created a population boom and led to the creation of Nevada as a state._[8]

The Clown Motel has also been dubbed "America's Scariest Motel" because it is close to the Tonopah Cemetary (John Andrus / The Progress)

Nevada is home to the Clown Motel, the only motel in the United States that is completely decorated in a clown motif._[14]
Famous people from Nevada include tennis star Andrew Agassi and former First Lady Patricia Nixon._[1]
The word "Las Vegas" is from a Spanish phrase that means "The Meadows." In the 1800s, a Spanish trader found an area of natural artesian springs, which would later be the birthplace of the city of Las Vegas._[1]
Inventions from Nevada include blue jeans and video slot machines._[14]
The proper pronunciation of Nevada is not "Nev-AH-dah" but "Nev-ADD-ah." According to Nevadans, the distinction is important._[12]
Nevada has the most named mountain ranges in the United States._[11]

Of all the mountain ranges I have climbed, I like the Sierra Nevada the best.

- John Muir

Nevada has more hot springs than any other state in the United States, with over 300._[1]
Nevada's Hoover Dam attracts over 1 million visitors every year. The dam irrigates more than 2 million acres and produces enough power to serve 1.3 million people each year._[4]
Nevada's famous Mob Museum chronicles the history of over two dozen Mafia families in Las Vegas, a city they regarded as "open."_[9]
Nevada is home to nearly one half of the nation's free-roaming horse population._[2]

Nevada's wild horses reflect the various groups that brought horses during the settlement of the West, such as ranchers, missionaries, miners, and others.

The most prolific gold-producing state in the United States is Nevada, producing over 170 tonnes of gold per year. Nevada is second only to South Africa in gold production._[10]
Nevada was the first state to ratify the 15th amendment, which prohibits state and federal governments from denying citizens the right to vote based on skin color or race._[1]
The Berlin-Ichthyosaur Park in Nevada is home to the largest known Shonisaurus popularis ichthyosaur fossils. These extinct marine reptiles originally swam in the ocean that covered Nevada, and they ranged from 2 feet to over 50 feet long._[1]
Groom Lake, Nevada, is home to the (in)famous Area 51, a highly classified government military facility rumored to be the site of numerous UFO sightings and government coverups. The only way onto the base is via classified aircraft._[1]
The Nevada-California border goes through the middle of Lake Tahoe. The Nevada side of the lake is usually more socially active (gambling, golf, parties, etc.), while the California side is more quiet and back-to-nature._[1]

Lake Tahoe is over 2 million years old, which is older than most lakes in the world

Nevada is the only state where prostitution is legal._[7]
Nevada has more casinos than any other state, at 345. Montana comes in second with 170. Louisiana (136) and Oklahoma (109) round out the top four._[3]
The only actual tomb people can visit at Hoover Dam in Nevada belongs to a jet-black dog. Beloved by all the dam workers, the dog was accidentally run over in 1941. Heartbroken, the workers built a memorial for the dog. In 1979, the memorial was removed after someone complained about the dog's name, which was "Nig." After the locals complained, the memorial was returned._[5]
Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest and largest state park. It is so named because its sandstone rocks glow red when the lighting is just right._[1]