Search Results
Dennis McBride Erotica Collection
Identifier
Abstract
The Dennis McBride Erotica Collection (approximately 1950s-2003) consists of heterosexual and homosexual erotic photograph, drawings, and magazines. The collection also contains reproductions of early pornographic materials from the 1930s and 1940s and a stereoscope viewer with image inserts depicting nude females. This collection provides insight into erotica and pornography dating from the mid- to late- twentieth century.
Archival Collection
Billie Milton Grace Photograph Collection
Identifier
Abstract
The Billie Milton Grace Photograph Collection, approximately 1948 to 1960, consists of twenty black-and-white photographic prints and negatives depicting images of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, the annual Helldorado Parade, the Marion Hicks family, local labor union dinners, Thunderbird Hotel employees, and various hotels and casinos.
Archival Collection
Benjamin F. Smith Papers
Identifier
Abstract
The Benjamin F. Smith Papers, dated from 1960 to 1969, contains a photocopy of a typed manuscript written by Benjamin F. Smith titled "Lady Luck and I." The manuscript details Smith's life, and focuses mainly on his time in Las Vegas, Nevada and his gambling strategies. The manuscript also contains gambling plays, figures, and charts. The collection also contains photocopied newspaper clippings and a brief biography of Smith written by Larry Evans.
Archival Collection
Transcript of interview with Beth Molasky by David Shwartz, June 2, 2014
Date
Archival Collection
Description
In this interview, Molasky discusses her parents, Irwin and Susan Molasky, and growing up in Las Vegas as a member of Temple Beth Sholom. She attended Sunday school and Hebrew school, but is not particularly religious as an adult.
Beth Molasky-Cornell is a partner, shareholder, and an active member of the board of directors of the Molasky Group of Companies, which was founded by her father Irwin Molasky. She is a founding partner and a core member of the board of directors of Ocean Pacific Companies, a high-end real estate development firm founded by her husband Ken Cornell in San Diego, California. Molasky-Cornell contributed to numerous Molasky Group building projects, including the Bank of America Plazas, the Winterwood Corporation land development, and the Park Towers luxury condominiums. Molasky was born in Florida; however, her family moved to Las Vegas before her second birthday. She graduated from Valley High School in 1968, and started college at the University of Southern California at the age of seventeen. After spending a couple of years in Rhode Island, where she had her children, she moved back to Las Vegas in 1975. In this interview, Molasky discusses her childhood experiences in Las Vegas, especially as a member of the Jewish community, and reflects upon changes that influenced her children?s upbringing in the city.
Text
Hamed Ahmady oral history interview: transcript
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Oral history interview with Hamed Ahmady conducted by Stefani Evans on March 22, 2023 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Interviewed by Stefani Evans. Culinary Union Local 226 organizer Hamed Ahmady recalls his childhood as the oldest of six children in Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan. As an child, he remembers hearing about the September 11, 2001 attack in New York while living in a Taliban-controlled city on a television connected to a concealed antenna that received signals from Uzbekistan. He recalls how, one month after he graduated high school, he became an translator for the U.S. Army, which he did for more than four years. He talks about securing his Special Immigrant Visa (SIV); landing in Los Angeles, California in 2013 and moving his family to the United States; and supporting his siblings and parents in Afghanistan. He also discusses relocating his family from California to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2018, finding a mosque community, and working with Culinary Union Local 226.
Text
Photographs of Stratosphere signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 6, 2017
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Site address: 2000 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: American Casino and Entertainment Properties
Sign details: This location was the site of Bob Stupak's Vegas World that opened in 1979. The Stratosphere opening in this location in 1996, the Stratosphere includes the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States. Developed by Bob Stupak, the Stratosphere was meant to be a landmark for the city of Las Vegas. As the years progressed, plans for restaurants and thrill rides came to fruition and the hotel now boasts several popular attractions. From 1996 to 2010, the Stratosphere went through bankruptcy, remodeling, renovations, additions, and new ownership. The current owner, American Casino and Entertainment Properties, also owns three other properties in the Las Vegas area.
Sign condition: About 4-5, appears to have relatively low damage, if any
Sign form: Porte cochere near main entrance
Sign-specific description: Stratopshere in orange neon, three vertical, squiggly lines (red, blue) pointing up toward triangular shape; second neon sign on right side of front facade, "Stratopshere" in orange, overlaid on top of blue cloud shape and orange, poles
Sign - type of display: Neon and plastic back lit sign
Sign - media: Steel and Electronic Media Screen
Sign - non-neon treatments: Electronic Media Screen and plastic back lit sign
Sign animation: Flashing for the design behind their logo on their sign
Sign environment: Located on the North end of the strip on Sahara, just across the street from the SLS Casino.
Sign architect of record: Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill
Sign - date of installation: Circa 1996 around opening
Sign - date of redesign/move: Around 2014/15 the background colors of the sign switched from a blue sky color to a pink/purple design.
Sign - thematic influences: Design similar to radio transmission towers; Stupak compared his design to Eiffel Tower and Space Needle (Seattle).
Survey - research locations: Stratosphere website http://www.stratospherehotel.com/?&mkwid=s0JHs4Hf3_dc&pcrid=102775265532&pkw=stratosphere%20las%20vegas&pmt=p&gclid=CjwKCAjwhOvPBRBxEiwAx2nhLp_Mtg7n6c-FUkbwYgY8MD3TJzgUWEp4WX1IgzePUlk1y-Rat_wmexoCJs8QAvD_BwE, recorder's office, Assessor's page
Survey - research notes: The top of the Stratosphere has blinking lights, but it is not confirmed if they are LED or Neon.
Surveyor: Carlyle Constantino
Survey - date completed: 2017-07-12
Sign keywords: Porte-cochère; Neon; Plastic; Steel; Flashing; Video screen; Incandescent
Mixed Content
Photographs of Pabst Blue Ribbon sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), June 28, 2017
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Site address: Fremont St and Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: PBR Donated, but a part of Fremont Street East
Sign details: PBR held a revealing party when installed in 2015, right next to The Park on Fremont. YESCO manufactured the 30 feet tall sign is nicknamed Cool Blue. Previous to this sign in this location the Maharaja Hookah Cafe had their signage in the same location previous to 2013.
Sign condition: 5, just installed in 2015 so neon and paint are still in great condition
Sign form: Free Standing Sign
Sign-specific description: 30 feet tall, the sign is nicknamed Cool Blue. A 30 foot waiter holding his arm out with 3 beers on his arm and one in his hand. The beers are animated with them lighting up in order starting with the one closest to his body. His arm is resting on a PBR can. The waiters shirt and cheeks illuminate red neon while the rest of his body illuminates blue argon. The PBR beer can illuminates red and blue as well.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign animation: The Beer cans on the waiters arm light up in order, starting with the one closest to his body.
Sign environment: This is located in the parking lot on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. North and Fremont St. East next to the Park on Fremont. This marks the beginning of the Fremont Street East District were other freestanding Neon signs are as well.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 2015
Sign - thematic influences: The retro theme makes it look like a throwback to 1950s/60s advertisement. Also since it is for a beer company it shows that Neon does not always have to be for the Casinos here in Vegas. This is one of the first freestanding signs you see in the Fremont Street East District, thus showing that the Neon community downtown still is thriving and still defines our culture here.
Survey - research locations: YESCO website http://www.yesco.com/news/yesco-installs-pabst-blue-ribbon-neon-sign/ , Vital Vegas website https://vitalvegas.com/downtowns-fremont-east-gets-a-new-neon-sign-courtesy-of-pbr/ , google map roadside view
Survey - research notes: Since this is a freestanding sign it is difficult to find any specific information on a single owner or why this sign was placed there specifically.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-07-22
Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Back to back; Monument sign
Mixed Content
Photographs of Vanguard Lounge sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), June 28, 2017
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Site address: 516 Fremont St
Sign owner: Andrew and Jennifer Wheatley
Sign details: The building was originally constructed in 1951. Previously to the lounge opening it was Fremont Street Guitars. Andrew and Jennifer Wheatley opened the lounge in 2010 after 30 years of experience together in the industry. This trendy bar has Modern-Industrial Decor, as you can see with their black building with a glass garage door entrance.
Sign condition: 5- newer sign that lights up brightly at night
Sign form: Hanging sign
Sign-specific description: Right above the entrance is a black canopy, but at night a white neon tube illuminates the perimeter of the canopy. The canopy also showcases their street address 516 in white channeled numbers. Above the canopy there is a beam which acts as a support for their main sign. Their main sign is a black rectangle which is also attached to the building. The sign states Vanguard Lounge in white skeletal neon letters. The word Vanguard is in a thick block-type print letters. Lounge is written in a smaller but similar type-font.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign environment: This is located in the Fremont East district in between Las Vegas Blvd. and 6th St. This locations storefront is located in between the Therapy restaurant and Red dance club (used to be the old Coin Insert bar).
Sign manufacturer: Valley Signs and Lighting
Sign - date of installation: 2010
Sign - date of redesign/move: Vanguard used the old sign box that the previous company used and added their logo in neon in 2010.
Sign - thematic influences: The skeletal neon showcases a simple yet classic design. It also showcases the Modern trendy vibe.
Sign - artistic significance: The sign does have a modern vibe but is staying true to the Neon culture of downtown.
Survey - research locations: Vanguard lounge website http://www.vanguardlv.com/vanguard_lounge_venue , Las Vegas Sun https://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/sep/20/vanguard-lounge-opens-fremont-street/ , Assessor's page
Survey - research notes: Definition of Vanguard is a group of people leading the way in new developments/ideas. This is possibly alluding to their theme of being different than the other bars downtown. Coincidentally there was a dance club in L.A. also called Vanguard, but no connection found between the properties besides their modern dance vibes.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-11
Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Hanging; Pole sign; Roof Sign
Mixed Content
Photograph of the "Mole" Jarva Tunnel Borer breaking through the tunnel on the Las Vegas River Mountain Project, Las Vegas, Nevada, circa 1968-1971
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Image
Photograph of the 988 caterpillar loader towing mole and conveyor to the tunnel portal used on the Las Vegas River Mountain Project, Las Vegas, Nevada, circa 1968-1971
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Image