Hanson Hall was an architecturally significant example of an industrial building associated with the development of the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt lake Railroad in Las Vegas.

In 1987, at the time of its National Register nomination, it was one of two remaining original industrial buildings in the Union Pacific railroad yards (Union Pacific subsequently purchased the SP, LA & SL).

Also known as the Union Pacific Storehouse, Hanson Hall was unusual in its design which combined a first story warehouse with a second story meeting and social hall.

The building was representative of Las Vegas' period of initial development when the community was a modest railroad town under the control of the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt lake Railroad.

Source: NRHP Nomination for Properties Associated With the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad on file at LasVegas.gov.

In the 1980s, Union Pacific officials decided to close the railroad's sprawling downtown yard and move operations out of town, clearing the way for development of the more than 300 acres between Main Street and Interstate 15.

Most vestiges of Southern Nevada's rip-roaring railroad heritage have vanished from Las Vegas.

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal dated 15 June 2003