Transcript from interview with George Simmons by Claytee White on December 13, 2013. Simmons talks about how he came to Las Vegas in 1963, and his wife, Eva. Simmons was a designer for Sproul Homes and later worked for Holmes and Narver, an engineering firm. He discusses his education at Texas Southern and the University of Texas.
Text
Oral history interview with Dr. Jack Cherry conducted by Lowell Christie on June 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cherry discusses environmental change in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cherry also recalls experiencing an atomic bomb test.
Archival Collection
Photographs and correspondence document the history of Temple Beth Sholom, including the ground breaking and construction of the campus in Summerlin. Also included in this set of images are photographs of Rita Deanin Abbey fabricating the Wall of Creation installation for the Temple on Oakey Boulevard in the 1970s.
Image
In this interview, Jon Sparer discusses his involvement as the architect of Congregation Ner Tamid's synagogue in Green Valley. He explains details of the building including the concrete tilt-up form, glass windows and the incorporation of quotes throughout the building. Sparer also discusses his involvement with the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) as a board member.
According to architect Jon Sparer, when he moved to Las Vegas in the early 1980s, the art of the deal was still based on a "handshake." It was just after the infamous MGM fire and Jon went to work for Rissman and Rissman. He later worked for Marnell Corrao Associates until 2001, and then as a principal in his own firm. He is now retired. While honing his design skills with the exciting transformation of the Strip into a world-class destination, Jon also became an active contributor to the Las Vegas community. Among his most notable experiences was being on the search committee for a new location for the fast growing Congregation Ner Tamid and then the architectural design for the synagogue's location in Henderson. It was a unique experience and Jon tells how he approached each aspect of the religious facility and how it would provide a memorable setting for life experiences. Jon has been involved with Jewish Family Services and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). In addition, Jon along with his husband John Klai have been instrumental in the LGBTQ community and the opening of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada [The Center]. In this interview, he also talks about the significance of The Center/ and its success in working with the Clark County Health District, as well as providing a user-friendly experience for all who visit The Center and the Bronze Cafe located there.
Text
Bound proposal for Playboy Hotel and Casino including artist's conceptions, vicinity map, themes, and architectural drawings for all major components. Includes note on protective cover: "First concept, Constructed as modified."
Site Name: Playboy Hotel and Casino (Atlantic City)
Address: Florida Ave & Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
Image
First Mason family camping trip in motor home, August 24-27, 1972. Sites visited included Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Oral history interview with Harrie Fox Hess conducted by Scot Siegel on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hess discusses how he felt as a young adult moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, his contributions to Nevada through his work as a psychologist, and the first law to be drafted on psychology certification in Nevada. Hess then describes the Wildcat Lair as an important site of social recreation for early Las Vegas youth. He also discusses how workers from the Great Depression paved the way for industrial success in gambling due to their employment on the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Leroy Burt, Joseph Kine, and Tommy Nelson conducted by Dennis McBride on November 10 and 11, 1986 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. The men discuss what they had been doing when the depression started in 1929, when they moved to Nevada, and their first jobs in Boulder City and the dam site. They share stories about their work experiences and discuss the different types of work at the dam, including high scalers, form strippers, jackhammer operators, and concrete pouring and puddling. They also talk about incidents and accidents that occurred during production, and the differences in safety standards in the 1930s and the 1980s.
Archival Collection
From the Sister Klaryta Antoszewska Photograph Collection (PH-00352). Sign on the left reads: "NOTICE vehicles transporting explosives STOP 1000 ft. ahead use telephone for instructions". Sign on the right reads: "Unauthorized explosives prohibited on the Nevada Test Site".
Image
Frontier Strike participants march on the Las Vegas Strip near the Riviera, Hilton, Stardust, and Frontier. Strikers are holding banners, protest signs, and multiple flags, including the American flag. Banners reading "Conquering the Frontier, Culinary Local 226, Bartenders Local 165" and "Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC" are prominently displayed. On site is former secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Workers Union, Jim Arnold, and American civil rights activist, Jesse Jackson. Arrangement note: Series I. Demonstrations, Subseries I.A. Frontier Strike. Site name: The Strip (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Image