Rob Mullaney interviews William “Bill” Brymer (born 1916 in Cambria, Illinois) about his experience living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brymer explains how he moved to Las Vegas for the gaming attractions and eventually married and had two children. Brymer worked as a craps dealer at the Frontier Club in Downtown Las Vegas and also at the Last Frontier on the Las Vegas Strip. He later worked as a pit boss at the Sahara. Brymer also discusses a visit by Lyndon B. Johnson, the early atomic testing, the importance of religion in his life, changes in climate, the development of the Strip, the existence and decline of agriculture, and some of the entertainers who performed on the Strip.
Costume Details: Showgirl in Pony Express costume with red tights, red boots with spurs, sleeveless vest in spotted-pony print trimmed with fringe, matching red and spotted cuffs, yellow bandana tied around the neck, white cowboy hat pierced through with an arrow with a yellow feather; white mailbag marked "Pony Express." Show Name: Pony Express Site Name: Sahara Hotel and Casino
The Palace Station Hotel and Casino sign sits at 2411 West Sahara Avenue. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 2411 W Sahara Ave Sign owner: Palace Station Sign details: Founded by Frank Fertitta III, was originally Bingo Palace in 1976 but was changed to Palace Station Sign condition: 4 - some broken lights on the sign but for the most part seems in great condition. Owners unsure if keeping the sign or replacing it with a new one during 2017 remodel of property Sign form: back to back pylon Sign-specific description: Double sided pylon road side sign, word "PALACE STATION HOTEL CASINO" In red encasement stuck to the front of a minimalistic image of a train, the word "BINGO" underneath the train front. Skeleton Neon is used to accentuate the features of the train and the lettering on the sign. Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent Sign - media: Steel, Plastic Sign animation: Chasers around "PALACE STATION HOTEL CASINO" and "BINGO" boxes and the neon in the boxes turn off then fill in from both sides until full again Sign environment: Property is near the I-15, by local businesses and some residential Sign - date of installation: c. 1983 Sign - thematic influences: Seeking to avoid the western theme popular among casinos at the time, Fertitta chose trains. Worried that the name Bingo Palace didn't highlight the full-range of gaming and amenities on offer at the expanded casino, Fertitta held an open contest to rename the casino later that year. More than 26,000 entries were received over three weeks. Las Vegas resident Claire Jarvis won as Palace Station touched on the new train theme while keeping part of the original name. - Las Vegas Review Journal Sign - artistic significance: Owner Frank Ferttitta Jr held a contest for the casinos new theme and the "train station" theme was the favorite out of the entries. Survey - research locations: UNLV Special Collections, Las Vegas Sun, YESCO, Review Journal Surveyor: Danny Jacobs Survey - date completed: 2017-09-10 Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Chasing; Back to back; Roadside; Video screen; Reader board
On July 3, 1975, Robin Wright interviewed Doctor Nancy Leveque (b. 1933 in Oak Park, Illinois) about her time living in Las Vegas, Nevada. The interview covers, among many wide-ranging topics, Leveque’s move to and away from Las Vegas, her career as a veterinarian, and the practice she and her then-husband built. Leveque also discusses how the city of Las Vegas has changed-environmentally and socially-, special interest groups and social activities, as well as natural phenomena. Throughout the course of the interview, Leveque provides anecdotes about prominent figures and old Las Vegas traditions, such as Helldorado.
On March 1, 1980, Gloria Banks interviewed her business acquaintance, Kenneth F. Johann (born 1924 in New York City) about his work life in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two discuss the origins of Johann’s business and early land prices in Southern Nevada. Johann explains the history of his investments as well as how land development progressed in Las Vegas from the 1950s and onward.
On February 24, 1977, Bill Teepe interviewed Hal G. Curtis (born 1926 in Galt City, California) about his life in Southern Nevada. Curtis talks first about his work on the Union Pacific Railroad before discussing changes and development in Las Vegas, including development on the Strip and Downtown areas. He also talks about Block 16, the El Rancho Vegas fire, social clubs, and religion.
On March 9, 1978, Shirley Dianne Long interviewed Al Lermusiaux (b. 1926 in Corrales, New Mexico) about his work in construction in the Las Vegas Valley. Lermusiaux begins by talking about his move to Las Vegas, his family and what brought him to the city. He shares many anecdotes about the construction of different iconic buildings in Las Vegas, the inner workings of the business, payments to employees and the changes in technology. Lermusiaux, in particular, talks of the telephone system in the fifties and the changes in structures and their regulations. During his interview, Lermusiaux lays out an image of old Las Vegas and Henderson, giving detailed descriptions of the layout of the city, the projects he worked on and the effects of the weather on building structures in Las Vegas.