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Ida Webb oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03436

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ida Webb conducted by Claytee D. White on February 29, 1996 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Webb discusses her childhood in the American South. She discusses her family's move from Tallulah, Louisiana to McNary, Arizona, and then their migration to Las Vegas, Nevada. Webb shares her experiences as a young African American mother in Las Vegas in the 1940s and the things her and her husband did to provide for their family. She shares her views on her marriage and her views on African American culture of the time. Webb discusses her husband's civic involvement and his job at the Las Vegas Sun. She details her experiences working in the hospitality industry for such early casinos as the El Rancho Hotel & Casino, The Flamingo Hotel & Casino, and the Last Frontier Hotel & Casino. She shares her own civic involvements and her participation in the Culinary Workers Union Local 226.

Archival Collection

Film transparency of a stagecoach, Las Vegas, circa 1940s

Date

1940 to 1949

Archival Collection

Description

An image of a people on a stagecoach posing as if they are being held up by a bandit at the Last Frontier Village.

Image

Fold-out booklet of Las Vegas Hotels and Casinos: postcards, image 027

Description

Part of a postcard booklet depicting the Frontier.

Photograph of Chamber of Commerce members, Las Vegas (Nev.), 1949

Date

1949

Description

Members of the Chamber of Commerce at the Canary Room of the Last Frontier, 1949. Standing L-R are: Nelson Conway, Vern Willis, Jack Walsh, Joe McQuilkin, and Spencer Butterfield. Site Name: Frontier Hotel and Casino

Image

Kent Carmichael oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03648

Abstract

Oral history interview with Kent Carmichael conducted by Stefani Evans on November 25 and December 2, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.

In the first session of this oral history, Carmichael discusses his early career in lighting design and maintenance from his start at Interstate Neon to his work in the 1950s and 60s in Las Vegas. He discusses some of the iconic signs he built including the Casino Center, Carnival Room, Thunderbird, The Frontier, Bonanza, and the Stardust. He also details the technology and inner workings of these innovative signs including the transition from mechanical to electrically controlled signage. Carmichael continues to discuss Native American laborers and various individuals that he interacted with throughout his early career including Max and Mo Oggenblick, Doby Doc, Benny Binion, Arby Alper, Steve Wynn, Peter Arp, and Wayne and Jerry Newton. Carmichael ends the first interview by recalling a high wind event that damaged the Frontier sign and his efforts to bring the sign under control and repair it as well as his vision and behind the Stardust sign.

The second oral history interview contains Carmichael’s discussion of his career from 1968 onward. He immediately picks up discussion of the Stardust sign and his transition to desk work. Carmichael details the challenge and limitations of designing the International sign (the Westgate as of 2021). He describes the development of his first messenger sign for the International and the time consuming task of using tape to program the sign. He fondly remembers working on the Holiday Inn Riverboat signs, and International transition to Las Vegas Hilton and the Hilton’s transition from blue to red letters. Carmichael shares the story of being caught between organized crime and a young Steve Wynn. He recounts his last project for Ad Art, developing and construction the sign for the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. He details working through legislative and construction issues as well as the fallout from the Nat Kiefer Commission.

After leaving Ad Art Carmichael began working with Heath and Co. and began collaborating with Raul Rodriguez. Carmichael and Rodriguez went on to design some of the most enduring and visually unique signs in Las Vegas including, the Flamingo, Four Queens, Golden Nugget, Dunes Hotel, and the Desert Inn. They also worked in Reno on Circus Circus and El Dorado. Carmichael also details his interior work including the main pylon and interior signs for MGM Grand; 1974 renovation Golden Nugget, suspended stained glass ceiling at Tropicana, and the MGM Lion display. Lastly Carmichael outlined his work with Young Electric Sign 1983-85 and the Dewey Sign Company including the Las Vegas Convention Center sign. He ends by sharing his views on the role and importance of lighting in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Underwater swimming: photographic print

Date

1940 (year approximate) to 1981 (year approximate)

Description

An individual swims underwater with a gambling machine at Hotel Last Frontier. this was a public relations stunt to show that gambling is carried on everywhere, all the time, even under water. Stamped on the back of the photograph, "Las Vegas News Bureau."

Image

Float in parade: photographic print

Date

1952-05-07

Description

The Hotel Last Frontier float, "Goddess of the Sun," drives through the street during the Helldorado Parade. This was during the Beauty theme of the parade, named 'Fun in the Sun". The entire float was covered in gold paint and in gold sparkle cloth. The two dancers on the float are also covered in gold paint.

Image