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Fercos Family Publicity Collection
Identifier
Abstract
The Fercos Family Publicity Collection (approximately 1978-1989) contains newspaper articles, advertisements, and a poster promoting the Flying Fercos, a family of juggling and acrobatic performers who performed in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Dunes Hotel during the 1970s and 1980s. The materials document the Fercos family's act as part of producer Frederic Apcar's shows such as
Archival Collection
Transcript of interview with Jarmilla McMillan-Arnold by Claytee D. White, October 7, 2010
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Jarmilla McMillan-Arnold’s father, Dr. James B. McMillan, was the first black dentist in the state of Nevada. Dr. McMillan’s colleagues consisted of Dr. West, the first black medical doctor in the state, and Dr. Ice, the first black surgeon in Nevada. This interview highlights and archives the solid foundation upon which Nevada’s black community was built. Jarmilla recalls early memories of growing up as the daughter of Las Vegas NAACP president Dr. McMillan. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, to a Caucasian and Indian mother who was a professional dancer. Jarmilla’s parents separated when she was very young and as a result she was raised by her paternal grandmother who owned a restaurant in Pontiac, Michigan. Jarmilla describes her grandmother as being well-known and highly regarded in the community where she maintained her business. Jarmilla attended Catholic schools in Detroit, Pontiac, and Las Vegas. Having moved to Las Vegas with her father, Jarmilla’s narrative offers keen insigh
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Correspondence, Levi Syphus to Sadie George
Date
Archival Collection
Description
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"The Return of Al Jolson": article draft by Roosevelt Fitzgerald
Date
Archival Collection
Description
From the Roosevelt Fitzgerald Professional Papers (MS-01082) -- Drafts for the Las Vegas Sentinel Voice file. On undercover LVMPD officers wearing blackface.
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"Hidden Heroes": article draft by Roosevelt Fitzgerald
Date
Archival Collection
Description
From the Roosevelt Fitzgerald Professional Papers (MS-01082) -- Drafts for the Las Vegas Sentinel Voice file. On Confederate statues and Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Photographs of Davy's Locker sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), November 20, 2016
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Site address: 1149 E Desert Inn Rd
Sign owner: Was Cindy Slight since 2010. Albert Hamika bought the property in 2016. Derek Stonebarger went to the property after they took the sign down and the fish portion of the sign is currently in his possession.
Sign details: The property was originally opened in 1968 by Davey Pearl, who was most known for being a boxing referee and later inducted to the World Boxing Hall of Fame. The actual opening date of the bar is unknown, but property records have shown that its building was constructed in 1968. The bar was known for the welcoming environment inside and inexpensive drinks. The sign itself drew people in because of its unique design. Right before their closure they started to have a variety of events taking place there such as: open mic night, trivia, and genre specific music nights. The current owners have demolished the iconic and beloved sign for the bar. The only portions that remain are white sign that reads "Cocktails" in red and the waves that the fish once "swam" above. The current owner of the property has told the Las Vegas Weekly, "I want to emphasize I wasn't like, 'Ok let's destroy this sign.' I like the sign, and I like the historic memorabilia"I tried. The only thing I can I can say is, it was time for it to come down." After hearing about this news Derek Stonebarger, who owns ReBar on Main Street, was distraught when he heard the news of the sign being taken down so he went to the property to find its remains. He hopes to restore as much of the sign as he can and possibly display it in a Nevada-themed restaurant he plans to open up.
Sign condition: Since the sign has been taken down it is a 0.
Sign form: Roadside pole sign
Sign-specific description: This sign was designed to look like a fish was swimming in the ocean. The top of the sign give the appearance of waves. A neon tube was attached to the implied waves. Underneath this was a large, white fish whose tail and nose extended beyond the confines of the square shape of the sign. The fish appeared to have a large smile and two smaller fish "swimming" beside it. One of these smaller fish was near the larger fish's mouth and the "L." The other fish was located right under the "ker" in "Locker." Both of these fish were a light blue color, the same blue that matched the wave on top of the sign and surrounded the larger fish. In the middle of the large fish that makes up much of the sign were the words "Davy's Locker" in bright red and an elaborate cursive style font. Neon tubes outlined these letters, as well as all three fish included in the sign. Underneath all of this is a neon tube in the shape of a wave that is difficult to see in photos of the sign during the day, but glowed brightly at night. Below this signage was a back lit plastic sign reading "Cocktails" in a red script and "Gaming Spirits Pool" under that in a sans-serif, bold, dark blue font. Extending from the top of the sign at the end near the street was a pole with two, small square signs attached to that. The top one was yellow and read "OPEN 24 HRS." The one below that was white and read "COLD BEER." There are other photos of this sign where the plastic portion of the sign reads "COCKTAILS" in red still, but "Slots Video Poker" in blue and "Package Liquor" under that in red.
Sign - type of display: Neon and backlit plastic sign
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic backlit portion
Sign environment: The surrounding environment of Davy's Locker was in a district that was close to UNLV as well as another popular bar that still caters to locals, Champagnes Cafe. It was located in a bustling area along to Maryland Parkway that locals travel on a daily basis. Davy's Locker was a popular watering hole for many people in the neighborhood due to its convenient location.
Sign - date of installation: Around the 1960's
Sign - date of redesign/move: It was first restored in 2011 and another time in 2014. Sign was taken down from the property in 2017.
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the sign appears to take inspiration from the phrase "Davy Jones' Locker." This is a common phrase that refers to "the bottom of the sea" or even "the mythical resting place of drowned mariners." Davy Jones is also believed to be an evil spirit from the bottom of the sea; therefore, the sign shows the influence of these aquatic origins that possibly inspired the name of the property.
Sign - artistic significance: The theme of the sign is aquatic, which also ties into the name of the property. The name of the property appears to take influence from the myth of Davy Jones, the evil spirit of the sea.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas weekly articles https://lasvegasweekly.com/as-we-see-it/2016/mar/23/beloved-dive-bar-davys-locker-sold-old-vegas/ https://lasvegasweekly.com/intersection/2017/jan/11/davys-locker-neon-sign-demolished/ https://lasvegasweekly.com/intersection/2017/jan/13/davys-locker-bar-neon-sign-recovered-stonebarger/ , Las Vegas Sun article https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/2016/mar/25/popular-dive-bar-to-take-a-breather-while-sports-b/ , Roadside Architecture http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas3.html , Phrase website http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/davy-jones-locker.html
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-22
Sign keywords: Steel; Plastic; Backlit; Neon; Roadside; Pole sign; Back to back
Mixed Content
Letter and envelope from Mary Etta Syphus, Provo, Utah to John M. Bunker, Logan Utah
Date
Archival Collection
Description
From the Syphus-Bunker Papers (MS-00169). The folder contains an original handwritten letter, an envelope, a typed transcription of the same letter, and a copy of original letter attached.
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LaPalm Motel Neon Survey document, September 10, 2017
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Site address: 2512 Fremont St
Sign owner: La Palm Motel Inc
Sign details: Property originally constructed in 1963 on 0.33 acres.
Sign condition: 3 - the sign is in decent condition and appears worn from weather. It is unclear if the sign still lights up at night.
Sign form: Roadside pole sign
Sign-specific description: This pole roadside sign has a simple design. A large black pole supports the other elements for this sign. The top portion of the sign features a plastic, backlit sign reading "La Palm" in a black, serif text. Underneath the "lm" of the "La Palm" sign is a series of open channel letters spelling out "MOTEL" against a faded teal background. This portion of the sign is also a thin, rectangular shape allowing for an open space between the "MOTEL" of the sign and the pole that supports it. Underneath the "L" of the "MOTEL" is the bottom portion of the sign that is attached to the pole. This portion of the sign features a plastic, backlit sign reading "DAILY WEEKLY CABLE TV POOL KITCHENETTES LAUNDROMAT" in bold red letters against a white background. Under this is the word "VACANCY" painted in bold white text. Neon tubes spell out "NO" and outline "VACANCY." Along the outer edge of this sign facing Fremont, the sign is painted a pale yellow with incandescent light bulbs lining this section.
Sign - type of display: Neon, indandescent, backlit
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign environment: This property sits at the corner of East Charleston and Fremont in an area filled with many other smaller motels. There is a Pepe's Taco and Lowe's Home Improvement that close to this motel.
Sign - date of installation: Possibly c. 1963
Sign - thematic influences: There is no exact theme replicated in this sign. It does look similar to other motel signs throughout the city since it sits directly along the roadside allowing motorist and pedestrians to see it easily.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign is a standard example of motel signage because it features the basic elements of a roadside motel sign. It has the name of the property, the word "motel", and other amenities that they may offer.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website
Survey - research notes: http://www.roadsidepeek.com/roadusa/southwest/nevada/vegas/lvmotel/lvdownmotel/index4.htm
Survey - other remarks: There is not a date of any specific redesign of this sign; however, based on an earlier image of this sign the font in the "La Palm" portion of the sign did change somewhere along the way during the time this property has been around.
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-10
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Pole sign; Roadside
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Laura Sussman oral history interview: transcript
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Oral history interview with Laura Sussman conducted by Barbara Tabach and Claytee D. White on March 15, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Laura Sussman, co-owner of Kraft-Sussman Funeral & Cremation Services, discusses the funeral home's role during the aftermath of the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas, Nevada mass shooting. She talks about the collaborated efforts of the funeral home and the coroner's office to care for the deceased, giving some details on the role of a coroner and the specific cases the funeral home was in charge of. Along with the victims, she discusses the potential cremation they were asked to do of the shooter. Throughout the interview, Sussman emphasizes the funeral home's goal of providing support to the families of the deceased.
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