Henderson, Nevada

1941Basic Magnesium Plant Built: The federal government built the massive Basic Magnesium Inc. plant to produce magnesium for WWII. The company town that sprang up around it — with 14,000 workers — became the foundation of Henderson.

1988PEPCON Rocket Fuel Explosion: The Pacific Engineering & Production Company plant exploded in a series of blasts that registered 3.5 on the Richter scale, injuring 372 people and destroying the facility. It was one of the largest peacetime explosions in U.S. history.

1953Henderson Incorporated: After the war, the federal government sold the plant site and townsite. Residents incorporated Henderson as a city rather than abandon it, beginning the long transformation from industrial outpost to suburb.

1998Lake Las Vegas Resort Development: The massive Lake Las Vegas resort community opened southeast of Henderson, featuring luxury hotels, golf courses, and a man-made lake, symbolizing Henderson's upscale residential ambitions.

2022Raiders Move Headquarters to Henderson: The Las Vegas Raiders opened their $75 million practice facility in Henderson, bringing NFL operations to the city and cementing its status as more than a Las Vegas suburb.

1990Green Valley Master-Planned Community: The Green Valley development became one of the most successful master-planned communities in the West, driving Henderson's population from 64,000 to over 175,000 in a decade.

2005Named Second-Safest Large City: Henderson earned recognition as one of the safest cities in America, a reputation it has consistently maintained and that has been central to attracting families and businesses.

2014Henderson Becomes Third-Largest Nevada City: Surpassing Reno in population, Henderson became Nevada's second-largest city after Las Vegas, reflecting decades of sustained growth in the southern Nevada suburbs.

1968Titanium Metals Corporation Era: TIMET became one of Henderson's anchor employers, producing titanium for aerospace applications and continuing the city's industrial heritage on a more advanced level.

2000Population Doubles in a Decade: Henderson's population exploded from 64,942 in 1990 to 175,381 in 2000, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the entire United States during the 1990s.