VV-1-23-edition

Henderson Tour
By: Kathy Manney / Around Our World
Henderson’s Water Street District is also
Henderson’s city center. Recently Water Street
has experienced extensive new development,
which includes Lifeguard Arena.
In 1927, magnetite was found in the Nevada
desert. The discovery expanded Nevada’s
production of mined minerals.
Before World War II, magnetite demand was
minimal. And then, the incendiary materials
in German bombs dropping on England were
found to contain magnesium. To win the war,
Nevada’s magnetite was sought. Magnesium
became a “wonder metal.”
This location was chosen for Hoover Dam’s
proximity and abundant power, since large
amounts of electricity were needed to process
magnesium. Construction began in 1941 on a
large Basic Magnesium factory and took only
a few months to assemble the plant.
In 1942, the town was home to five-thousand people by 1942. And
by 1943, 16 million pounds of magnesium had been produced. Engine
housings and explosives utilized the magnesium and in 1944, enough
magnesium had been supplied and there was a surplus.
As the war wind down, the plant closed and the town, now considered
war surplus, nearly perished before the government gave land and
facilities to the state. The wartime town was named in honor of Charles
Henderson, a former U.S. Senator. By 1953 Henderson was incorporated.
Henderson’s downtown historical walking tour offers an informative
and vibrant interpretation of the city’s early
growth. Starting with Henderson’s inception
that supported wartime efforts during World
War II’s industrialization to the radiant city
Henderson is now.
Henderson’s walking tour signage includes
many city firsts, bringing to life people
and events that built the vibrant wartime
community. Interesting facts include how
Water Street was named, the community
impact Basic Magnesium made and how a
community meant solely as temporary for
wartime workers grew to become Nevada’s
second largest city.
To begin the self-guided historical tour, visit
Henderson’s City Hall for a walking tour map
or simply drive downtown, stopping when you see a sign and read its
noteworthy storyline that offers a capsule history of Henderson.
Kathy draws her articles from a diverse personal background. She
hopes readers enjoy her column as much as she enjoys the writing
and sharing.
By: Burt & Dianne Davis / Our Vacation
During an optional excursion as part of a
Viking cruise in October
of 2022, I learned first-hand a great deal about
the German occupation of Bergen, Norway during
World War II. I was part of a group that visited
the Fjell Fortress, a 30-minute drive from Bergen.
The fort was designed to defend the coast of
Norway. Its main construction began in August
1942 and was completed a year later. Between 1,500
and 2,000 Russian POWs were used as slave labor in
the construction. Many perished.
Our guide told us that more than 400,000
German soldiers were stationed in Norway before
the war’s end in 1945. He explained that Germany
felt that the occupation of Norway was critical to
defending the North Sea against Great Britain.
Bergen, due to its location and harbor was a
natural target. It was invaded and overrun by
Germany in 1940 after putting up minor resistance. Germany built
their major submarine base in Bergen.
It became the object of numerous allied bombings. But, due to its
40 January 2023
Learning About Bergen at War
heavy concrete walls, it was virtually indestructible.
The greatest damage was done to the city of Bergen itself. The
Germans built The Atlantic Wall stretching from
Norway to Spain in order to thwart a potential Allied
invasion.
The fort’s main artillery piece, a huge 11-inch
gun, had an accurate range of 20 miles and was
fired for the first and only time in August of 1943.
It’s shock wave broke glass and knocked down small
structures in the area.
About 250 Germans were positioned inside the
fort and 1,000 outside. All to ensure that that Allies
would not be able to invade Norway.
We saw that the lives of the soldiers were
depressing. The fort was a labyrinth, almost like
living in a cave with dark tunnels and cramped
living spaces. Except for the officers, there was no
hot water. The conditions were cold and damp.
I imagine that the soldiers were relieved when the
war ended. Seeing it first-hand brought this part of history to life for us.
Burt Davis loves to travel the world along with his wife Dianne, also a
Vegas Voice Columnist.