This folder is from the "Correspondence" file of the Sadie and Hampton George Papers (MS-00434)

Dr. Robert C. Maxson was president of UNLV for ten years, 1984 to 1994. When he arrived, discussions were already under way about developing an engineering school. Certain elements in the community, such as Summa Corporation, were lobbying for such a program here in southern Nevada. Dr. Maxson began receiving printed materials and phone calls about it, and he started putting his fund raising skills to good use. He believes that civic pride in the young university, as well as a sense that an engineering school would be good for business, led many individuals, hotels, and corporations to open their pocketbooks. Locally, Dr. Maxson found generous support from Tom Beam, Nevada Power, the Summa Corporation, and many other businesses and individuals. Since the legislature only meets every two years in northern Nevada, Robert and others made many trips to Carson City that first year to discuss every nuance of the project. He spent considerable time with Senator Bill Raggio, John Marvel, Bill Bilyeu, and other legislators convincing them that Nevada would get its money's worth. He also gives major credit to Las Vegas civic leaders for their influence and the fact that they had rallied behind this cause. Once the funding was approved, Dr. Maxson insisted on and facilitated the accreditation of the program. Faculty members enthusiastically got behind this push and accreditation was achieved in a remarkably short time. The next order of business was funding an honors program for deserving students. Dr. Len Zane was given this project and began recruiting students. Individuals in the private sector were invited to fund academic scholarships, and they responded generously. Dr. Maxson traveled the state attending high school commencements and recruited valedictorians on the strength of offering those students the honors scholarships. Dr. Maxson greatly enjoyed his time as president at UNLV. He feels he was privileged to be part of its growth and expansion, to have worked with enthusiastic, energetic faculty, and to have encouraged the community's desire to get behind the growth of the university.

The permanently closed Labayou Casino sits at 15 Fremont Street at the Fremont Street Experience. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survery Data Sheet.
Site address: 15 Fremont St
Sign owner: Derek Stevens
Sign details: Opened 1920 as Northern Club By Mayme Stocker. 1943-1960 operated as a few different businesses. 1970 opened as The Coin Castle, 1999 was renovated and opened as La Bayou, 2016 bought by Derek Stevens and torn down.
Sign condition: No longer there
Sign form: Architectural sign
Sign-specific description: Three neon signs site on top of a shack made of wood and sheet metal that is meant to represent something that might be seen in Louisiana. Two windows with green shutters are "open" with T.V. screens inside. Two neon signs sit at the top of the shack that spell out La Bayou in red neon and the cabinet is trimmed with purple neon. At the front of the property, above the entry, is a red neon sign that says "26 New Orleans Daiquiris."
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent
Sign - media: Steel, fiberglass
Sign environment: Part of the Fremont Street Experience, next to Golden Gate Casino
Sign - date of installation: c. 1999
Sign - thematic influences: The property has a theme element, which was popular of casinos of Las Vegas in the 1990s.
Sign - artistic significance: Property was decorated with a Louisiana inspired bayou, swamp motif.
Survey - research locations: Newspapers
Survey - research notes: https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/mermaids-la-bayou-and-glitter-gulch-come-to-a-close-on-fremont-photos/ https://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/jun/25/patrons-say-farewell-to-mermaids-and-la-bayou-in-d/ http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/downtown-history/?currentPage=3
Survey - other remarks: Property was razed 2016
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-08
Sign keywords: Architectural; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Fiberglass