On March 5, 1981, collector Kathy Ricks interviewed Mary Carol Melton (b. April 4th, 1900 in Rockville, Missouri) about her life in Nevada and the development of the United Methodist Church in Las Vegas. Melton speaks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada because of her husband’s health, her time working with attorney offices and in the Las Vegas Courthouse, and the different homes in which her family lived. Moreover, Melton talks extensively about starting the first Sunday school in North Las Vegas in a garage as well as the church she and her husband built. Melton discusses the programs and minstrels performed in the church, the crafts sold to make money for the church and the organ they purchased. Lastly, Melton talks about going to the Hoover Dam nearly every week to see new developments, her participation in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and watching the above ground atomic tests.
On September 28, 1998, K.J. Evans interviewed former United States Senator Howard Cannon (born 1912 in St. George, Utah) about his life and political experiences. Also present were his wife, Dorothy Cannon, his daughter, Nancy Downing, and another participant identified as Caroline Rose. Cannon first talks about his family background and his parents’ occupations before mentioning his involvement in a music band and his pastime of flying aircraft. He then discusses his first political involvement and mentions his work for the Las Vegas City Attorney’s Office. Evans then asks about Cannon’s service with the Air National Guard and his combat experiences during World War II, specifically on D-Day. The interview then moves to a discussion on some of the work Cannon fulfilled as a senator, particularly military-based projects and black projects, and his work in creating Nellis Air Force Base. Evans later asks Cannon questions about his interaction with presidents, his thoughts on the Vietnam War, his support for civil rights, and his politically liberal stance as a lawmaker. Cannon also provides details on his relationships with Senators Walter Baring and Alan Bible, his interaction with Lyndon B. Johnson, and his campaign against Chic Hecht.
From the Syphus-Bunker Papers (MS-00169). The folder contains an original handwritten letter, a typed transcription of the same letter, the original envelope with the stamp removed, and a copy of the original letter.
From the Syphus-Bunker Papers (MS-00169). The folder contains an original handwritten letter, an envelope, a typed transcription of the same letter, and a copy of original letter attached.
Information about the Mon Bel Ami sign that sits at 607 S Las Vegas Blvd. Site address: 607 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: Mon Bel Ami- Maudie Dog Trust Sign details: Mon Bel Ami Wedding Chapel originally was the Silver Bell Wedding Chapel owned by nineteen year old Jim Duszynski. He moved from Toledo, Ohio and purchased the small wedding chapel for five dollars in 1958. Silver Bell wedding Chapel eventually moved across the street adding a steeple to an old masonic lodge hosting dozens of weddings. In 2002 the building caught on fire where the property was later purchased by new ownership. In 2003 the new ownership re-named Silver Bell Wedding Chapel to Mon Bel Ami Wedding chapel. The new chapel replaced the Silver Bell panel and painted over the SB. Currently the sign has been removed and donated to the Neon Museum and replaced with new signage. Sign condition: The condition of the sign is a 5. From what I can tell the sign has been kept maintained. No paint has chipped, and the LED is still working perfectly. Sign form: The sign is a pole sign and not attached to the building. Sign-specific description: The sign is a pole based free standing sign. The heavy curved triangle is in the color burnt sienna made of steel. The pole itself is a faux marble with swirls circulating the pole etched into the pole. The sign is tastefully ornate, yet simple in design. The pole transitions into a Chapean Tuscan architectural feature. The typography is slightly thick and light up white at night. The actual light features surround the typography and takes the shape of the curved triangle. The light is LED based. Sign - type of display: LED Sign - media: Steel and concrete Sign environment: It is next door to Graceland Wedding Chapel and near Nevada Legal Services, US Labor Department Wage and Hour Divisions, Dougie J's Cafe, Thunderbird Lounge, and Rogue Toys. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign - date of installation: Mid 2000's Sign - date of redesign/move: After 2003 the ownership from Silver Bells changed and renamed the chapel to Mon Bel Ami. The Silver Bells Wedding sign was donated to the Neon Museum. Sign - thematic influences: The design resembles faux Tuscan elements, simple yet semi- ornamental. Sign - artistic significance: The sign resembles the early 2000's trend with faux semi ornate but sleek contemporary design within architecture. The sign is quite reminiscent of Wynn Hotel, Palazzo, and Encore. Survey - research locations: Mon Bel Ami wedding chapel website https://www.monbelami.com/historic-wedding-chapel-sign-neon-museum-vegas/ , Asessor's Page Surveyor: Gisselle Tipp Survey - date completed: 2017-08-19 Sign keywords: Steel; Concrete; Pole sign; Neon
Information about the Neonopolis sign that sits at 450 Fremont St. Site address: 450 Fremont St Sign owner: Rohit Joshi leases the building from Wirrulla USA Inc. Sign details: This building was originally constructed in 2001 as a retail store center. This location currently holds a Denny's, a vintage toy store, the Telemundo station office and an international food market. This location also held a movie theater until 2009. Sign condition: 4.5- Sign still in relatively new looking condition Sign form: Entrance sign Sign-specific description: Above the main entrance way into the mall there are the letter "NEONOPOLIS" in plastic back lit signs. Each letter has a lime green border with white strip and then purple for the main color of the block letters. The letter "O" in "polis" is actually an orbit shape that is orange and purple to double as the "O". Portions of the building have neon tubes, some illuminating blue and others are purple, green, red and yellow. There are also different colored shapes of neon spread throughout the building such as yellow triangle as well as orbits showcasing red and yellow neon tubing. Many of the companies in this location have their own signs as well. Sign - type of display: Plastic back lit sign and neon Sign - media: Plastic and steel Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit portion Sign environment: This property is on Fremont in between 4th St. and Las Vegas Blvd. Right in front on the building is the Slotzilla machine where people get onto the zipline. Sign - date of installation: 2002 Sign - date of redesign/move: When the movie theater portion of this location closed in 2009 part of the signage was taken down and in recent years with different companies settling in there have added their own signs. Sign - thematic influences: The name and the theme of this location being neonopolis showcases the downtown neon vibe particularly since there is a wide variety of neon display surrounding this property. Sign - artistic significance: Showcasing the different designs with neon shows how true of an art it still is, particularly with the triangle designs and the orbits Survey - research locations: Asessors page, https://neonjoshiassociate.wixsite.com/mysite-1 Neonopolis website, https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/neonopolis-theaters-to-go-dark-thursday-night/ Review Journal article discussing the closure of their movie theater, https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/may/03/long-awaited-neonopolis-opens-in-downtown-vegas/ Las Vegas Sun article talking about their opening in 2002 Survey - research notes: There used to be an 18 theater movie theater located there which shut down in 2009 and was renovated into clubs, the most recent one to open is called the Nerd. Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-09-08 Sign keywords: Plastic; Backlit; Neon; Steel; Fascia