Clark County Chair Tick Segerblom spoke on local TV this week, elaborating on his suggestion that the county, home to the Las Vegas Strip, should change its name to Las Vegas County.
The veteran local politician first referenced the idea on social media earlier this month. This week, FOX5 Vegas asked him about the idea in a TV interview.
Despite the name and the iconic giant welcome sign, the Las Vegas Strip is part of Clark County, not Las Vegas city proper. The City starts at the Downtown area, north of the Strip.
As evidenced in innumerable media reports over the years, many visitors to Sin City aren’t even aware that the famous Las Vegas Boulevard, aka the Las Vegas Strip, isn’t technically part of the city that gives it its name. Fewer people are aware that the Las Vegas Strip is more precisely located in the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester, within Clark County. None of which officially mentions Las Vegas.
“It would take away the confusion. The Strip is not in the city of Las Vegas,” Segerblom said.
“Everybody lives in ‘Las Vegas,’ but most people don’t actually live in Las Vegas…it adds a little pizzazz.”
It’s Called History
Clark County is named after William Andrews Clark, the 19th century copper tycoon and Montana senator who was instrumental in bringing settlers to the basically uninhabited Las Vegas area.
Clark County recently celebrated the 115th anniversary of its founding. It was named after Clark because he constructed the region’s first major railroad, leading to the initial growth of the settlement.
Although evidently successful in his business, Clark was called “very corrupt” by Comedy Central’s Drunk History, and also drew the ire of Mark Twain.
“He is as rotten a human being as can be found anywhere under the flag; he is a shame to the American nation,” read a 1907 essay from the celebrated novelist.
Nevertheless, many politicians are not exactly enthusiastic about a name change for the county.
“Nooo, it’s called history,” Nevada Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop wrote on social media, responding to Segerblom’s recent interview with the Las Vegas Review Journal on the subject.
What’s In a Name?
The idea of a name change for Clark County has been floated for decades. There is a somewhat friendly competition between the Clark County Chair and the Mayor of Las Vegas. Over the years, there have been many examples of the two public figures going tit for tat over minor issues.
Segerblom thinks that a name change would not only clear up confusion, it would be good for the city’s tourist branding, and it would honor the Las Vegas Valley’s Spanish cultural heritage.
“It wouldn’t be unique in having the major city and a county of the same name. It makes sense. Los Angeles County-Los Angeles, San Diego County-San Diego. Clark County … plus, it would piss the mayor off,” Segerblom said.
However, current Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman didn’t seem offended by the proposals.
“Las Vegas is world-famous, and I would love to have Tick and the county be a part of our city,” she said, speaking this week to local media.
Any such name change could end up costing millions of dollars to enact, through changing signage and bureaucratic procedures. 2021’s decision to change the name of Clark County’s airport from McCarran International to Harry Reid International cost Nevada taxpayers $7 million.
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