A Brief History of Henderson, NV

The township of Henderson emerged in the 1940s in order to supply the country with magnesium for World War II, "born as America's defense". The magnesium plant supplied the US War Department with magnesium for munitions and airplane parts. However, in 1947, the magnesium production was no longer necessary for defense and most of the 14,000 BMI employees were forced to move away. Enrollment in the school system was reduced by two thirds and well over half of the town site houses, built to houseplant workers, went vacant. In 1947 the United States War Asset Administration offered Henderson for sale as war surplus property.

However, in an effort to save the city, the Nevada Legislature spent a weekend visiting Henderson and evaluating the possibility of state administration of Basic Magnesium, and within days of the visit, the legislators approved a bill allowing the Colorado River Commission of Nevada the authority to purchase the industrial plants.