Location:
Lorenzi Park
333 W Washington Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89107
Historical Significance:
The monument was originally dedicated in 1954 by Francisco Garcés' founding members to honor the chapter's namesake, Padre Francisco Garcés, and his historic expedition in 1775-76 through what is now the southern tip of Nevada. The members commissioned the rock monument, limestone plaque, and brick engraved with three names. They also collected and enshrined 48 rocks from the existing 48 states. In June 2022, with permission from the NSDAR Historian General's Office, the present Chapter members added rocks from Alaska and Hawaii to complete the 50 states and re-dedicated the monument with two new DAR markers. The monument resides in Las Vegas' historic Lorenzi Park. Passersby can reflect upon Padre Garces' expedition, rocks from all 50 states, and the fact that Alaska and Hawaii became states in 1959, of which many are unaware.
Marker Text:
1954 Marker: "HE TRAVELED THROUGH NEVADA IN 1775-6 ERECTED 1953-54 BY FRANCISCO GARCES CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION IN MEMORY OF PADRE FRANCISCO GARCES, FIRST RECORDED WHITE MAN TO ENTER NEVADA. THE SMALL ROCKS ARE FROM THE 48 STATES"
2022 Marker #1: "2022 FRANCISCO GARCES CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION REDEDICATED THIS MONUMENT" and
2022 Marker #2: ALASKA AND HAWAII BECAME STATES IN 1959. ROCKS WERE ADDED BY FRANCISCO GARCES CHAPTER NSDAR 2022
Funding
City of Las Vegas maintains the monument as part of the Rose Garden in the northwest corner of historic Lorenzi Park.
Tourism
Open to the public during park hours.
Acknowledgement
Each year, there is a Community Flag Day at the site with the Francisco Garces Chapter donating an American Flag. City officials, other DAR chapters, SAR, C.A.R., family of DAR members, various veterans groups, JROTC cadets, and Scouts participate. Included is a 21-gun salute and a bugler playing Taps.
