Stephen Kulifay interviews Patricia “Pat” Bryan (born in Alexandria, Minnesota on March 17, 1917) about her experiences living in Las Vegas. The two begin the interview by discussing her education at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Northwestern and her move to Las Vegas in 1947. Bryan also discusses her family’s involvement in the soda bottling business and eventual involvement in real estate. She goes on to describe a wide range of topics to include the first hotel properties, the entertainers at the time, the African American and Asian communities, the railroad, shopping, housing, brothels, banking, utilities, roadways, climate, and religion. The two also discuss the popularity of Las Vegas, with focus on tourists and gaming, the expansion and growth of the city, the cowboy attire worn in early days, the Helldorado parade, Nellis Air Force Base and government land, the beginning of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and her thoughts on the future of Las Vegas.

Terri Goodsell interviews Carey Burke (b. 1936 in Columbus, Ohio) about his experience living in Nevada. Burke talks about moving to and living in Henderson for a period of time before moving to Las Vegas. Burke mentions a few memorable teachers from his schooling as well as the recreational activities he took part in, such as going to Lake Mead and joining a YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) camp. After mentioning the small odd jobs as a newspaper deliverer and altar boy for the Catholic Church, Burke talks about moving to Las Vegas in 1949 and his eventual schooling at St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Rancho High School. The interview then moves to a discussion on the above-ground atomic testing, including Burke’s and his sister’s experiences with the tests, and he then describes the Helldorado customs and celebrations in earlier days. Burke later mentions some of the various prominent individuals in Las Vegas whom he met and with whom he went to school, including business own

Bernard Vardiman interviews colleague Eddie Buxton (born 1938 in Las Vegas, Nevada), an officer with the North Las Vegas Police Department, about his family heritage and his experiences growing up in Las Vegas. Buxton describes the significance of some of his ancestors, from Rose Warren, who was one of the first Las Vegas pioneers, to Joe and Ernest May, two of the first police officers in Las Vegas. He specifically mentions the 1933 death of Ernest May, the first law enforcement officer in Las Vegas killed in the line of duty. Buxton also recalls the development of both Las Vegas and North Las Vegas over time, including specific locations and what used to be undeveloped land. He also describes going to school in the city, his father’s work on Hoover Dam, and other aspects about the way of life in Las Vegas.

Plans for the construction of the Showboat Hotel Casino in Atlantic City from 1985. Parchment copy.
Site Name: Showboat Hotel and Casino (Atlantic City)
Address: 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ

Latest Drawing Revision: 1985-07-22