It seems counterintuitive that a man who was raised a Mennonite, spoke Pennsylvania Dutch before he spoke English, and was destined to quit school after eighth grade to work on the family farm would grow up to become one of the most progressive and visionary library directors in the United States. His participation in the Building Las Vegas project results from his being responsible for building twenty libraries in Clark County during his 1971–1994 tenure as director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. One of his first controversies was to insist on going to high school after his father demanded he quit. After graduating high school he went to Nigeria on behalf of his church, serving there for five years. Upon returning to the U.S., he found work at the Fort Wayne Library, albeit he was limited by how far he could advance because of his limited education. After attaining his library degree Indiana University at Bloomington he served as director at the Columbia City Library
On March 13, 1981, collector Mark Kevin Ryhlick interviewed local technician, Leeander Fields Hayes (born on May 23rd, 1907 in Salt Lake City, Utah) in his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers the history of entertainment in Las Vegas from the mid-forties to 1958. Brother Hayes, as he requests the collector to call him, specifically covers the local live music and comedy scenes. He also touches on the topic of segregation and how Black entertainers, such as Lena Horne, were treated when they came to perform in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Culinary Union secretary-treasurer Jim Arnold leads strikers in front of the Frontier Hotel and Casino, and is seen being taken into custody by Las Vegas police. Strikers are seen sitting in a large circle in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard.Arrangement note: Series I. Demonstrations, Subseries I.A. Frontier Strike Site name: Frontier Hotel and Casino; The Strip (Las Vegas, Nev.)
On March 3, 1980, Donna Malloy interviewed John McKay (b. July 7th, 1926 in North Dakota) about his life in Las Vegas, Nevada. McKay begins by speaking about his family history, his career in the electronics and engineering field for aerospace, as well as his experiences in two wars. Moreover, McKay speaks about his hobbies of hunting and fishing and his time as a musician around Las Vegas. McKay also spends time going over how the city of Las Vegas has grown and changed, the increase in crime, and the extreme floods in the 1950s. Lastly, McKay talks about the Nuclear Test Site, how casino gaming chips were used as money around the city, how the city of Las Vegas started and the future of the valley.
Architectural plans for proposed additions and alterations to The Sands. Printed on mylar. Berton Charles Severson, architect; Brian Walter Webb; architect; Milton R. Bertrand, delineator. Site Name: Sands Hotel Address: 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Architectural plans for proposed additions and alterations to The Sands. Printed on mylar. Berton Charles Severson, architect; Brian Walter Webb; architect; Milton R. Bertrand, delineator. Site Name: Sands Hotel Address: 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Plans for the golf course additions for the Hacienda from 1957-58. 'C.' Includes door jamb details and closet details. Site Name: Hacienda Address: 3590 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Photographer's notes: "Aerial view showing relationships among Hoover Dam, the original road between Arizona and Nevada, and the Hoover Dam Bypass under construction, May 22, 2009." Site Name: Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
Photographer's notes: "Aerial view showing relationships among Hoover Dam, the original road between Arizona and Nevada, and the Hoover Dam Bypass under construction, May 22, 2009." Site Name: Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge