Find Out What Happened in Vegas at WNCC Fallon

In 1950, Las Vegas had a population of 24,624. By 1970, the number climbed to 125,787. Now more than 500,000 people call Nevada’s largest city home. Learn about the rapid growth of Las Vegas and much more about the intriguing state of Nevada in an upcoming class at Western Nevada Community College Fallon beginning Friday, Sept. 1.

Nevada History (HIST 217, Call #32697, Sec. F01) will study Nevada’s history from prehistoric times to the present. The course will examine the early mining and cattle frontiers, the development of towns, the advent of industrialization, and the 20th century problems of water, energy, and growth.

Dr. Doris Dwyer, WNCC history professor, and Jane Pieplow, director of the Churchill County Museum, will team-teach the course on Fridays from 7-9:45 p.m. in Virgil Getto Hall, Rm. 304.

“Some interesting guests will be dropping by the class, including Dr. Michael Green of the Community College of Southern Nevada, a noted scholar on Las Vegas development; Fallon historian Bernadette Francke, a noted scholar of Virginia City; and writer Mark Twain, who will address his years in Nevada,” Dwyer said.

Twain will actually be portrayed in a Chautauqua-style presentation. Pieplow will explore Churchill County history, Native American life, the early settlement of the state, and related topics. Dwyer plans to cover early Nevada explorers, the Overland trail, Twain’s “Roughing It,” the Nevada Constitution, and other aspects of Nevada history.

This university transfer class fulfills three credits of social science and meets the requirement for the Nevada Constitution. Cost: $169.50. Info: Jane Pieplow at 775-423-3677 or Dwyer at 775-423-8330, ext. 2259.