On February 27, 1979, collector Greg Abbott interviewed Hildred Meidell (b. March 17, 1900 in Webb City, Missouri) about her time living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Meidell covers a range of topics, from her and her husband’s time as tourists in the city and their subsequent retirement to Las Vegas from Los Angeles, California. Meidell describes the Las Vegas Strip, the interstate and highway conditions between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, as well as their numerous visits to Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Moreover, she speaks about the changing layout of the city, the increase in shopping centers and department stores, and the clothing stores inside of hotels. Lastly, Meidell talks about the prominence of churches in local communities, the atomic testing program and the structural damages these tests caused in her neighborhood, and the influence of the railroad and passenger train on the town.
Smoke is visible in the distant desert from a fire on Mount Charleston. [The photo is damaged with a bend in the top left corner and both left corners ripped.]
Unidentified group of young men wearing baseball uniforms pose together on the dirt in front of stadium seating. Inscription with image reads: "Early Las Vegas baseball team."
First Methodist Church is barely visible behind the trees. The church was built in 1908. For another photo of this church, see Image 0266_008, pho025988.
Another image of the First Methodist Church in Las Vegas, NV. It was located on 3rd and Bridger Streets. For another photo of this church, see Image 0266_007, pho025987.