Brad Friedmutter is the architect behind a number of Steve Wynn’s prominent casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey. He obtained his degree in architecture in 1973 from the Cooper Union School of Architecture in lower Manhattan and worked on a number of smaller projects before connecting with Steve Wynn. After meeting the famous Vegas tycoon, Friedmutter built a number of well-known casinos, like the Golden Nugget and the Mirage. In this interview, he discusses the development of his numerous projects, explains his process for starting and completing architectural projects, and the future of urban planning and casino design.
On March 1, 1981, Alan Gurwitz interviewed Elton Garrett (born 1902 in St. Joseph, Missouri) about his experiences in Southern Nevada and more specifically his work in Boulder City. Garrett first talks about the development of Boulder City from its inception in 1931 and how it has grown throughout nearly fifty years. He also discusses his work in journalism for the Boulder City Journal, the building of Boulder Dam, and atomic testing at the Nevada Test Site. The second part of the interview involves a discussion of the founders of Nevada Southern University, Garrett’s work on legislative committees, and his work as a schoolteacher and school principal. The interview concludes with Garrett’s thoughts on the future of Boulder City and its continued growth.
Interviewed by Nathalie Martinez. Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez also participates in the questioning. Luis F. Valera serves as the Vice President of Government Affairs at UNLV. His heritage is from Venezuela and Cuba. He has served as the Chairman of the Latin Chamber of Commerce and has been an active member of the Latino community since his pursuing his undergraduate degree at UNLV in Political Science and his Juris Doctorate degree from the William S. Boyd School of Law. His various achievements in the community and nation led him to become recognized and awarded the Arturo Cambeiro Hispanic of the Year Award in 2011.
From the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas; OH-00944. On April 4, 1976, Gordon Brusso interviewed Floyd L. Jenne (born 1915). The interview discussed Boulder City McGill, as well as Nevada history.
On March 3, 1980, Wanda Cortés interviewed University of Nevada, Las Vegas counselor, Ann K. Johnson (born August 28th, 1954 in Garland, Arkansas) about her life in Southern Nevada. The two discuss Johnson’s educational and occupational history. The interview concludes with a discussion on the population’s rapid growth during the seventies.
On October 24, 1974, collector James M. Greene interviewed civil engineer, Robert Kesterson (born on August 12th, 1920 in Key West, Florida) in his home in Henderson, Nevada. Mrs. Kesterson is also present during the interview. This interview offers an overview on life in Boulder City, Las Vegas, and Henderson, Nevada. The interview ends with a discussion on land development.
On March 7, 1981, Vicente C. Camacho interviewed accounting clerk, Juanita Kilburg (born September 25th, 1923 in Los Angeles, California) on the second floor of the UNLV Dickinson Library. Kilburg explains how her family first moved to Southern Nevada and her father’s ties to the railroad. She then goes on to explain the growth of the military and Nellis Air Force Base. The interview concludes with a discussion on her work with the American Legion service organization.
On December 15, 1975, Patricia Kohlman interviewed Mary Kreuzer (born 1923 in Las Vegas, Nevada) in her home in Las Vegas. The two discuss Kreuzer’s childhood, as well as the different addresses that she’s lived at in Las Vegas. The interview concludes with a discussion on entertainment and small businesses before the population boom in Southern Nevada.
On March 4, 1976, Gordon Brusso interviewed former miner, Joe Lappin (born November 14th, 1914 in Santa Paula, California) about his life in Boulder City, Nevada. The two discuss his early occupational history and his work for the Bureau of Mines. He then goes on to explain the different housing systems that developed in Boulder City during World War Two.