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Louise Kirkwood interview, February 28, 1979: transcript

Date

1979-02-28

Description

On February 28th, 1979, collector Richard Probst interviewed Louise Kirkwood (born December 13th, 1925 in Kemmerer, Wyoming) at her residence in North Las Vegas, Nevada. In the interview, Mrs. Kirkwood discusses moving to Nevada and raising her family. She also discusses recreation in Nevada and her involvement in church activities.

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Transcript of interview with Leo Borns and Sue Easley Borns by Anna Huddleston, March 21, 2014

Date

2014-03-21

Description

Leo and Sue (Easley) Borns came to Las Vegas in 1962 to begin an architectural career that would last forty-four years in Southern Nevada. Leo Boms worked for various firms in Las Vegas before developing a reputation as "F. Borns, Architect". He has gone on to design buildings for state public works, Clark County, the City of Las Vegas, Clark County School District, churches, and private home owners. Rarely taking a job outside of Southern Nevada, Leo Boms' intent was to develop an architecture considered indigenous to the area while keeping the conservation of energy and technology as prime importance. Mr. and Mrs. Boms, after living in the area for approximately five years, decided to purchase a home on Strong Drive in McNeil Estates where they raised their three children. Active in social and philanthropic organizations, both Leo and Sue have become acquainted with numerous area personalities. Mr. Boms is most proud of being a part of the development of the Kiwanis Water Conservation Park although his structural designs can be seen throughout the Southern Nevada area. At the age of 77, he closed his office but remains an integral influence on the Greater Las Vegas area.

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Transcript of interview with Jim Olson by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White, February 2, 2017

Date

2017-02-02

Description

As Las Vegas native Jim Olson looks back on his law career, he keeps returning to the case that gouged a sooty scar on his memory, altered legal practice and technology in Southern Nevada, captured the world's imagination, and changed international building codes-the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino fire of November 21, 1980, that killed 85 people and took eight years to litigate. Olson became involved with the litigation because his firm, Cromer, Barker, and Michaelson, represented the MGM Grand's insurance company, INA, Insurance Company of North America. Juggling thousands of claims, Olson ended up working with the MGM's corporate counsel in Los Angeles, a legal firm in Denver, Lloyd's of London, and a special master; renting additional office space for taking depositions; hiring graveyard-shift transcribers, and purchasing the legal world's latest technological marvel-a fax machine. As a first grader, five-year-old Jim was known to walk home during the school day whenever the St. Joseph nuns scared him. As an attorney whose career path was inspired by Perry Mason and augmented by his argumentative streak, Jim offers insights into litigation about some of Southern Nevada's most iconic buildings, signs, and spaces. In this interview, he recalls his mentors, Al Gunderson, George Cromer, Bill Barker, and Kent Michaelson. He talks of construction defect cases including his first MGM Grand litigation, in which his firm represented the architect, Martin Stern, when faulty siding fell off the building, and the 1994 lawsuits that followed when the top of the newly constructed, 365-foot Las Vegas Hilton sign blew down in a windstorm. He shares tales of legendary fellow attorney Mike Hines and his annual Nevada Bar Association parties on the Mike Hines Ranch, and he speaks to litigation between Hank Greenspun, Howard Hughes, and Hughes Tool Company.

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Transcript of interview with Mary and Bill Laub by Stefani Evans and Claytee White, September 15, 2017

Date

2017-09-15

Description

While offering anecdotes on Southwest Gas Company’s early years—including its flirtation with a nuclear bomb and owning a casino; its purchase of a Kingman, Arizona, ranch with an underground salt dome, and its involvement with the formation of Boyd Gaming—this oral history also reveals Bill Jr.’s role in applying his knowledge of natural gas infrastructure to promote extensive education about building codes, infrastructure, and engineered systems. In particular, Bill discusses EduCode, the internationally recognized, week-long building code institute held annually in Las Vegas that originally began more than twenty-five years ago and has since attracted worldwide participation. While Bill does not teach at the institute, he has helped organize the course since its inception and has been a consistent supporter.

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Transcript of interview with Mary Jo Sheehan by Claytee D. White, July 14, 2009

Date

2009-07-14

Description

Mary Jo Sheehan shares detailed memories of her family's early history, her father's search for work in mines in Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, and her education through high school. She recalls with clarity the family's move to Henderson in 1945, her first job at Nellis Air Force Base, and their home in Victory Village. Mary Jo recalls bowling at the Emerald Casino, joining a sorority, and dining at the Frontier Hotel as part of her social life. She also remembers where she and her husband met in 1963. They were married at a friend's house first and later recommitted in a ceremony at St. Peter's Catholic Church. In recounting her career, Mary Jo talks of working at Nellis Air Force Base, then RFC War Assets Administration, the Colorado River Commission, and Basic Management Incorporated. Most recently she has done volunteer work for St. Rose Hospital and the Clark County Museum. Mary Jo shares many memories from her long history in Henderson, Nevada. These include events such as the PEPCON explosion in 1988 and the renovation of downtown Henderson beginning in the 90s; people like Hal Smith, Pat McCarran, and Selma Bartlett; and places such as the Swanky Club, the Emerald Casino, and the Black Mountain Golf Course. The fascinating end result is an overview of all the growth and changes in Henderson since the late forties.

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Myron E. Leavitt interview, March 14, 1978: transcript

Date

1978-03-14

Description

On March 14, 1978, collector Thomas Neill interviewed Myron E. Leavitt (born October 27th, 1930 in Las Vegas, Nevada) at his law office in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview, Leavitt discusses his law practice and running for various positions in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also speaks about growing up, playing sports, and coaching multiple sports in Las Vegas.

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Jean Sherman McColl interview, March 1, 1977: transcript

Date

1977-03-01

Description

On March 1, 1977, collector Sam C. Melchiome Jr. interviewed Jean McColl (born May 24th, 1931 in California) at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview, Jean McColl discusses growing up in Searchlight and then Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses how her family came here as well as the many changes she has seen through the decades living in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Photograph of First State Bank, Las Vegas, 1905

Date

1905

Description

First State Bank, Las Vegas, 1905. Handwritten text on back of photo: "First State Bank - 1905 First & Fremont Street - Occupied same site as present Bank Building -- [in 1963 occupied by The Mint Club] Rooms upstairs were occupied by Masonic Lodge. This old building was later removed to an alley location just north of VonTobel's Lumber Yard." The insert that accompanies photo reads: "The history of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada might be well written around the history of the Las Vegas branch of the First National Bank of Nevada, a statewide banking system. For this branch has been an integral part of the growth of Las Vegas - sharing its hardships and its prosperity. Established as the First State Bank by a group of public spirited pioneers in 1905, the Bank, through the practice of sound banking policies has grown, until today it is symbolic of the strength of 'the One Sound State.'"

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Photograph of Minsky's showgirl posing on a sofa at the Playboy Hotel, Chicago (Ill.), circa 1977

Date

1976 to 1978

Description

A Minsky's showgirl posing on a sofa at the Playboy Hotel. The Playboy hotel was originally named The Knickerbocker, and has gone through several incarnations since it opened in 1927. Legend has it that in the 1930s the hotel housed a casino frequented by Al Capone. During World War II and the Korean War, US Armed Forces officers would fill the property's hallways and play cards in the Officer's Club. In 1952, Richard Nixon was nominated Vice President during the Republican National Convention held in the hotel. Finally, in the 1970s it became the Playboy Hotel, owned by Hugh Hefner. After completing a multi-million dollar renovation in 2008, the hotel has reinvented itself once again. However, the elegant two-storied lobby still honors the hotel's historic past, with marble ornaments and wood moldings. Site Name: Playboy Hotel (Chicago, Ill.) Street Address: 163 East Walton Place

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Photograph of a Minsky's Burlesque showgirl, Playboy Hotel, Chicago (Ill.), circa 1977

Date

1976 to 1978

Description

A close-up of a Minsky's showgirl posing on a sofa at the Playboy Hotel. The Playboy hotel was originally named The Knickerbocker, and has gone through several incarnations since it opened in 1927. Legend has it that in the 1930s the hotel housed a casino frequented by Al Capone. During World War II and the Korean War, US Armed Forces officers would fill the property's hallways and play cards in the Officer's Club. In 1952, Richard Nixon was nominated Vice President during the Republican National Convention held in the hotel. Finally, in the 1970s it became the Playboy Hotel, owned by Hugh Hefner. After completing a multi-million dollar renovation in 2008, the hotel has reinvented itself once again. However, the elegant two-storied lobby still honors the hotel's historic past, with marble ornaments and wood moldings. Site Name: Playboy Hotel (Chicago, Ill.) Street Address: 163 East Walton Place

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