Quick Facts
Biography
Peter Buol (October 1, 1873 – February 11, 1939) was the first mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada (1911–1913).
Biography
Peter Buol was born in Chicago, one of five sons born to Swiss immigrants Frank and Emma Buol. Like his brothers, Peter initially trained under his father as a chef. After growing up in Chicago and later in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, Peter married Lorena Patterson in Kansas City in 1899. In 1901, he joined his father in Hollywood, though by 1904 he had arrived in Las Vegas. Buol soon became involved in the mining, real estate, and artesian water industries. His own efforts and his ability to inspire others to invest in Las Vegas helped increase the speed of its development in the early 1900s.
Buol won the first election for mayor of Las Vegas by ten votes. His term lasted from June 1911 until May 1913. Buol was then elected to represent Clark County at the Nevada State Assembly for a two-year term (1913–14), followed by a four-year term to represent Clark County at the Nevada State Senate (1915–18).
In 1925, Buol and his family relocated to Los Angeles. After suffering a stroke in 1937, Buol died there in 1939.