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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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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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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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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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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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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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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