Leonard Raizin was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada in 1930. His father was a cattle dealer. At an early age Raizin knew he wanted to be a doctor and after attending medical school he married his wife Carol Raizin born in Toronto, Canada. Leonard Raizin attended the University of Toronto for medical school in 1948. He met his wife Carol on a blind date. He started his internship at Sinai Hospital of Detroit in 1954. After a trip to Arizona and a feel of the desert weather the Raizins' with their four young daughters moved to Las Vegas, NV in 1961. When arriving in Las Vegas Dr. Raizin practiced at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital (currently University Medical Center) and also at Sunrise as an anesthesiologist. There was a time while practicing in Las Vegas Dr. Raizin was the only anesthesiologist in the area, and experienced for the first 6 months of life in Las Vegas an extremely immersed schedule that never allowed him an entire night at home. Carol Raizin graduated as one of the first students at UNLV with a degree in Psychology in 1973. Carol eventually worked alongside her husband in their office handling bookkeeping for eight anesthesiologists. Dr. Leonard Raizin and Carol Raizin after a very successful life in Las Vegas are now retired. They still have a home in the Las Vegas area, however they spend their winters skiing in Park City, Utah and their summers fishing in Idaho.
Christopher “Chris” Maestas (1965-2009) was an engaged educator and leader within the Chicano, Latinx, and Henderson communities. As he traced back his Latinx heritage, he explored his father’s hometown in Llaves, New Mexico, where he and his family were discriminated for their non-white demeanor; and his mother’s paternal Spanish roots; his grandfather came to work in Henderson, Nevada at the Basic Magnesium Industrial (BMI) plants during World War II. The Chicano and Spanish cultures played a significant part in defining his role within the community. For Chris, Chicanos were “people that lived in the southwestern United States particularly southern Colorado, New Mexico and northern Arizona that were originally Mexican citizens before the treaty (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo) was signed and then after the treaty was signed they became Americans.” In this interview, he dives into the difference between Chicano and Spanish cuisine and gives his own tips on how to make Spanish chile relleno. Chris discussed what life was like in Henderson living in Henderson Camp when his grandfather emigrated from Spain in 1943. He described the evolution of the Henderson community in the 50s through his parents’ experiences living in the Hispanic communities of Victory Village and Carver Park. During his childhood in the early 70s, Chris recalled living in Henderson when it was known as Basic and living in a small town-site house. One of his most special recollections was from the summer of 1980, when his family purchased their first set of air-conditioning units. As a passionate teacher and 1984 alumnus from Basic High School, he advocated student engagement as Student Council Advisor. Chris was also an active member of the St. Peter the Apostle, Catholic Church, Knights of the Columbus group and LUPE (Latinos United for Perfect Equality) Club. The LUPE club promoted equality for the Hispanic community and family values. Chris described their Saturday picnics at BMI Park and the annual Henderson Industrial Days festival.
In 1961, at the age of thirteen, Gerald ?Jerry? Gordon became a bar mitzvah. This typical coming of age celebration was unusual in that he had simultaneously studied in both his home state of California and his adopted home of Las Vegas, where he spent summers with his grandparents. 1961 is also the same year that the Gordons made Las Vegas their permanent home. Jerry graduated from Las Vegas High School, attended University of Nevada, Las Vegas and earned his law degree from University of California, Los Angeles. His gregarious and trustworthy personality led him to career building steps in the legal community of Las Vegas that included illustrious names such as Louis Wiener, Jr., David Goldwater, Neil Galatz, and many others. His personal law specialty became bankruptcy, especially dealings with hotel/casinos. As a member of the Jewish community, Jerry?s energy and expertise to organize was instrumental in the construction of Congregation Ner Tamid, the reform synagogue, at its site on Valle Verde and I-215. It was a multi-year process and includes a vast array of stories?a cash donation from Moe Dalitz, finalization of receiving of a donation land from the Greenspun family during the High Holy Days, and the ongoing challenges of a building campaign during a recession. In addition, he explains that CNT included two unique negotiations: 1) a cell tower and 2) a solar field on the synagogue?s property. Jerry and his wife Yvonne met while attending UNLV. Yvonne taught math at various levels in the Clark County School District. They raised their two children, Sara and Jeffrey, in Las Vegas, and forged an important role together in Congregation Ner Tamid. In April 2017, they were among those honored for their work with the synagogue.
A replica of the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign sits at a median near Boulder Highway at dusk. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: Boulder Hwy Sign owner: Commissioned by the Boulder Hwy casinos Sign details: This sign is to pay homage to the original 1959 Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, but to honor the "Boulder Strip". There are many casinos within this area of Boulder Hwy similar to our famous Las Vegas Blvd. sign. Sign condition: 5- Very good condition and still works very good Sign form: Pylon Sign-specific description: This sign is a replica of the current Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign with identical design and materials used, but is just smaller than the real one Sign - type of display: Neon, plastic back lit portion and incandescent light bulbs Sign - media: Steel and plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Incandescent light bulbs and plastic back lit portion Sign animation: Chasing Notes: incandescent light bulbs on the exterior of the sign. Sign environment: In the middle of the median on Boulder Hwy. In the middle of the road in front of the East side Cannery and close to the Longhorn casino as well. Sign designer: Betty Willis Sign - date of installation: 2007 Sign - thematic influences: Identical in design of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign but a bit smaller. Sign - artistic significance: Googie style is portrayed in the design of this sign. Survey - research locations: Google maps roadside view, Sign website discussing welc. To fab L.V. sign in general and year of replica installation https://www.signs.com/blog/15-surprising-facts-about-the-las-vegas-sign/ , Las Vegas Sun article https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/nov/25/ask-mr-sun/ Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-09-28 Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Plastic; Backlit; Incandescent; Chasing; Steel
LV Tattoo sits at 25 East Fremont Street inside the Fremont Street Experience. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet. Site address: 25 Fremont St Sign owner: Johnny Law Sign details: The original construction year of the building was 1940. This tattoo parlor was opened by Johnny Law in the 2000s , and Johnny also doubles as a tattoo artist at this property as well. There are about 9 main tattoo artists and piercers at this parlor that is housed in the Fremont Street Experience. Since they are on the second floor on the corner of Fremont and First St. their guests can watch the zip line that goes down Fremont, but they can also watch the First Street Stage which holds concerts regularly. Sign condition: 5-Very good condition and shines bright Sign form: Sign in Window Sign-specific description: Their sign is placed within the windows of their second floor storefront. There are 6 windows and each one has a big letter in each which spells out "TATTOO" in double lined red skeletal neon letters. Sign - type of display: Neon Sign - media: Steel Sign environment: This property is on the second floor of the building on the South corner of Fremont and First St. Below the Tattoo shop is a gift shop. This property has the remnants of the Famous Pioneer Club with Vegas Vic to the West. The Golden Nugget across the street to the East of this property. Also to the North is the First Street concert venue. Sign - date of installation: 2015 Sign - thematic influences: Use of red Neon shows the classic design particularly with the skeletal neon. Sign - artistic significance: No specific era presented, but shows how a modern store can use a classic design style. Also it shows how the classic neon is still alive on Fremont and every company has down there has neon. Survey - research locations: LV Tattoo website, assessor's website Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-08-31 Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Building-front design
The sign for Virtue Vice sits at 750 Fremont Street as part of The Venue in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet. Site address: 750 Fremont St Sign owner: Victor Perrillo Sign details: This building was constructed in 2015 for the Venue which is a concert venue and special event center that usually holds weddings and proms. The Arizona based owners have a similar venue to this one in Scottsdale, Arizona. Sign condition: 5- Very new and still works good Sign form: Sign on Building Sign-specific description: The roof line that they building has is a curved Moorish style, right below the roof line is a channeled "V" that contains incandescent light bulbs. Below this is black channeled block letters spelling out "THE VENUE" which illuminate a whitish gold color. Sign - type of display: Neon and Incandescent light bulbs Sign - media: Steel Sign - non-neon treatments: Incandescent light bulbs Sign animation: Flasher for incandescent light bulbs Sign environment: This location is in the East District of Fremont, on the same side of the street as the El Cortez but about half a block to the East. This location is across the street from the Container Park and also has one of the "Fremont Street East District" signs in the street in front of this property. Sign - date of installation: 2015 Sign - thematic influences: Sine they are a venue for many different events this name is perfect for the location and their sign is well representative of that. Sign - artistic significance: The channeled "V" and words "The Venue" help contain the light. Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Weekly article https://lasvegasweekly.com/as-we-see-it/2015/jun/03/the-venue-downtown-concert-hall-fremont-east/ , The Venue website http://thevenuesgroup.com/, acessor's page Survey - research notes: The building was constructed for this specific company in 2015 , and previous to this it was an empty lot for a few years. Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-09-01 Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Flashing; Building-front design; Fascia
The Peter Pan Motel sits at 110 N 13 Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet. Site address: 110 N 13th St Sign owner: Tony Hsieh; Zappos CEO "110th 13th Street LLC" Sign details: 0.31 acre lot constructed in 1963. Currently out of business. Sign condition: 4-5 : looks in good condition, no broken Neon, unsure if lights up. Sign form: Back to Back Pole Sign Sign-specific description: A painted cut out graphic of the character "Peter Pan" perched on top on a round sound with the words "Peter Pan" in green and red stylized text. Graphic is only on one side with neon tubing outlining his figure, other side is green silhouette with no skeletal neon. Mixed medium of neon components and incandescent bulbs around the name. Neon is outlining Peter Pan figure, circle frame of word "Peter Pan" (not the lettering), and "No Vacancy" is outlines. Had boldface typography for word "Motel". "Peter Pan" circle is double sided but the graphic and "Motel" is only one sided. Sign - type of display: Neon and Incandescent Sign - media: Steel Sign animation: Possible chaser with round Peter Pan sign Sign environment: Motel is surrounded by other motels and residential. Sign manufacturer: No external markings for sign company or designer Sign - date of installation: c. 1967 Sign - date of redesign/move: Sign was restored sometime between 2007-2011 Sign - thematic influences: Fairy tale of Peter Pan Survey - research locations: Motel website, assessor's website, Las Vegas 360, www.roadarch.com Survey - research notes: Had contact with current owner, but had no additional information Surveyor: Danny Jacobs Survey - date completed: 2017-08-12 Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Chasing; Pole sign; Back to back; Roof Sign; Plastic; Internally illuminated
Information about the The Beat Coffeehouse sign that sits at 520 Fremont St. Site address: 520 Fremont St Sign owner: Michael and Jennifer Cornthwaite Sign details: This location opened in 2009, but closed in 2016. It will reopen as Eureka!, which is a chain of restaurants based in California. Sign condition: 5- was a relatively new sign and shined brightly Sign form: Hanging sign Sign-specific description: This sign was skeletal neon making the letters "the beat" in a bubble letter font. The word 'the' lights up blue and 'beat' is red neon. Sign - type of display: Neon Sign - media: Steel Sign environment: This location is in the Fremont East District on Fremont and 6th Street in the Emergency Arts Center. Sign - date of redesign/move: Currently this sign is not visible from public view Sign - thematic influences: This sign showcases a good use of skeletal neon. Sign - artistic significance: The property's decor is representative of the bohemian, indie, hipster trend of the mid 2000s into the the 2010s. Survey - research locations: Review Journal article https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/the-beat-coffeehouse-in-downtown-las-vegas-to-close-later-this-year/ , The Beat website http://www.thebeatlv.com/ , Las Vegas Weekly article https://lasvegasweekly.com/intersection/2016/jul/12/losing-the-beat-coffeehouse-detriment-to-downtown/ , Vegas Eater website https://vegas.eater.com/2016/9/26/13051480/the-beat-coffeehouse-closes Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond Survey - date completed: 2017-09-17 Sign keywords: Neon; Hanging
Helen Mott Cecil was born in 1916 and grew up in Las Vegas. Her grandparents were miners and her grandmother owned property on the Westside. She recalls a friendly neighborhood and walking back and forth to school with neighborhood children. The family moved several times finally settling at 601 South Main Street. While attending Las Vegas High School she participated in several Helldorado parades with her father and brother. At the age of 15, Helen remembers the constriction of the first downtown post office. When the Hoover Dam started in 1931, her father was the under-sheriff. One of his duties was distributing health cards to prostitutes. Her memories include Saturday night dances in Anderson's Mess Hall in Boulder City, atomic bomb testing at the Nevada Test Site walking to church services on Fremont Street, Woodlawn Cemetery, the old Henderson Townsite and meeting President Roosevelt at the Hoover Dam dedication. As a high school student she served as president and counselor in her Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In 1934 she graduated from Las Vegas High School. Helen held numerous jobs before getting married at the age of 26-bookkeeper, movie theatre usher, telephone operator, and secretarial work. Her husband Bill worked at all three post office locations in the Las Vegas area. At the age of 91, Helen and her sister still live and enioy life in Las Vegas sharing their many memories of early Las Vegas.