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Transcript of interview with Irwin Molasky by David G. Schwartz, April 23, 2014
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Interview with Irwin Molasky by David G. Schwartz, April 23, 2014. In this interview, Irwin Molasky discusses arriving in Las Vegas in the 1950s, and building the Pyramids motel on the Strip. He talks about the entertainers in various hotels on the Strip, the concept of the "star policy," and bringing Parisian shows to Las Vegas. He goes on to discuss his real estate developments, including Paradise Palms, Boulevard Mall, and Sunrise Hospital, and donating the land for the development of UNLV.
Irwin Molasky came to Las Vegas in 1951, during a time when "everyone knew everyone else," and there was a small, but strong Jewish community. An Army veteran, Irwin and his wife moved to Las Vegas after living in California for a short time. Irwin soon built The Pyramids, a Strip motel next to the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. The Pyramids opened the same day as its northern next-door neighbor, The Sands Hotel and Casino, on December 15, 1952. Irwin used his newly acquired contractor's license to become on the city's most important real estate developers. Over the next 60 years, he built everything from residential housing, including Paradise Palms to commercial properties. Projects included Sunrise Hospital and the surrounding medical buildings; Sunrise City Shopping Center and other power centers; Bank of America Plaza and much other downtown development; and golf courses. When the recession hit, Irwin began bidding on government projects across the country, successfully shielding his business and employees from the economic downturn. Irwin's real estate ventures not only had a tremendous impact on Las Vegas' economic development, but a substantial effect in social programming. Irwin donated 40 acres of prime real estate to the University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) so that university could expand. Additionally, he was the Founding Chairman of the UNLV Foundation and received an honorary doctorate in humanities.
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Transcript of interview with Pauline Barlow and Katie Ford by Caroline Logsdon, March 20, and April 7, 1976
Date
Archival Collection
Description
On March 20, 1976 Caroline Logsdon interviewed Pauline Barlow (unknown date or place of birth) about her life in Southern Nevada. Barlow first talks about her move to Las Vegas at a young age, her church membership, and her membership in social clubs. She also talks about gambling, the atomic testing, and the changes she has seen over time in Las Vegas. On April 7, 1976, Logsdon also interviewed Katie Ford (born 1929 in Ely Nevada) about her life in Southern Nevada. Ford talks about her early life and education in Nevada in Beatty, Nevada, her work with her family-owned gas station and hotel, and some of the early buildings in Beatty. She also discusses early recreational activities, the atomic testing, economic and environmental changes, improvement in technology, and social changes.
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Interview with Jacob "Chic" Hecht, May 11, 2004
Date
Archival Collection
Description
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Meeting minutes for Consolidated Student Senate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, July 02, 2007
Date
Archival Collection
Description
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35 Years of Rotary in Las Vegas, 1923-1958
Date
Archival Collection
Description
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Photographs of Maxim signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Site address: 160 E Flamingo Rd
Sign owner: Premier Interval Resorts
Sign details: The Maxim is located just east of the Bourbon Street, in close proximity to Bally's Hotel Casino. The Maxim is no longer operating, and is fenced off from further inspection. The signage that is seen entails building signs, the original pylon, and the porte cochere
Sign condition: Structure 2 Surface 2
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia; Porte-cochère
Sign-specific description: Building: The tower itself contains the logo and giant text spelling the name of the establishment, on one side of the building. The tower is mirrored and reflective, thus matching the porte cochere and pylon, and reserves to collect its building signage to one end of the tower. The tower, which runs east/west, and faces north/south contains the signs on the east end structure. On the north and south faces of the building, giant red channel letters run vertically along the block surface. The letters look to be lined on the interior of the letters with neon. The logo can be seen on the east face. Pylon: The pylon sign is essentially a giant vertical monolith of a rectangle, divided into several different sub-shapes. The center of the monolith is occupied by cabinets which fill in most of the shape, with a small gap bordering the cabinet. The cabinets are treated the same as the square arch, and flush with the surface. The cabinets are very subtle and create an illusion of one solid object. The entire outer arch shape and interior cabinets are bordered with polished aluminum. The interiors surface of the arch are covered in polished gold aluminum panels. The lining of the incandescent bulbs on the sign is interesting. On the arch the incandescent bulbs are on the interior return width of the aluminum borders. With this configuration, the bulbs sit parallel to the surface instead of perpendicular. The main marquee text is aligned horizontally across the top in gold channel letters with red plastic faces. The letters blend with the gold surface nicely. The interior cabinets are internally lit with plastic faces. There are two cabinets, the larger of the two, occupying the upper part the interior space of the monolith. Incandescent bulbs line the exteriors of the cabinets, sitting back on a recessed edge. Porte Cochere: The porte cochere is unique, opting to rise high above the surface of the pavement. The prismatic design crafted in polished aluminum, interlocks into a pattern suitable to the space which it resides. The recesses in which the decoration resides are separated by a small width of structure. This pattern of giant recesses, matched with the prismatic design in each negative space create a hulking environment high above the head in proud stature. Along the peak edge of the pieces of the prism, rods protrude every foot or so, creating a row of arms holding incandescent spheres.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: chasing, flashing
Sign environment: The Maxim is now closed, and stands in marked contrast to its neighbors a bit to the east--the famous "Four Corners" of Flamingo and the Strip, and next to the trendy Meridian at Hughes Center apartment complex.
Sign designer: Maxim letter design: Kenneth Young, Porte Cochere; Lighting: Jack Dubois Pylon sign: Marnell Corrao
Sign - date of installation: 1977
Sign - thematic influences: The influence of the Maxim hotel was 70's Vegas design refined to simple geometric forms and curved linear logo's. The pylon was completely sheathed in polished aluminum, as well as the underside of the porte cochere being polished gold aluminum. The use of the popular 70's material is used extensively throughout the design. Letters hung over the main entrance, as well as signage on three sides of the building. Other examples of the material can be seen elsewhere but not as extensively. The only property that comes close is the pylon for usage of the material is the Westward Ho.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Pylon; Fascia; Porte-cochère; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Graphics; Paint
Mixed Content