Search Results
Ann Brewington Papers
Identifier
Abstract
Ann Brewington Papers (1984-1987) consist of letters and clippings related to Nevada history. Correspondence is primarily from Anne Brewington's sister, Ida Brewington, to Brewington regarding Ida Pittman's death. This collection also contains a letter from Florence Cahlan and copies of letters sent to Cahlan about an article she had written on Ida Brewington Pittman. Also included is another article about Pittman that appeared in the December 2, 1984 Nevadan that has a few hand written notes in the margins, as do a few of the letters.
Archival Collection
Thomas McLaughlin Papers
Identifier
Abstract
The Thomas McLaughlin Papers (1937-1985) are comprised of newspaper clippings, photographs, and correspondence about real estate, the Clark County Democratic Party, and local fraternal organizations, especially the Knights of Columbus and the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick in Las Vegas, Nevada. Materials also include some clippings on McLaughlin's appointment as trustee of the Las Vegas Park Racetrack in 1955.
Archival Collection
Transcript of interview with Eva Garcia Mendoza by Elsa Lopez and Barbara Tabach, September 25, 2018
Date
Archival Collection
Description
On the corner of 7th street and Clark, and beside the tennis courts of Las Vegas Academy, stands the law office of attorney Eva Garcia Mendoza. Eva has worked in her office since 1982, and in this time she has helped the Las Vegas community work through civil and immigration cases besides aiding in a myriad of other ways. Eva Garcia Mendoza was born in 1950, in the town of McAllen, TX-an environment that perpetuated hatred of Mexican Americans. Eva recalls the racism she endured; for instance, being spanked if she spoke Spanish in school, and her family facing job discrimination because of her skin color or her last name. Being an ethnic and financial minority was difficult, and Eva remembers nights as a child when she would cry herself to sleep. Eva showed resilience in the face of adversity as she states, “you rise to the level of your teachers’ expectations.” With the encouragement of her band professor, Dr. L.M Snavely, she began higher education at Pan American College. She moved to Las Vegas in 1971 and began to work before being accepted at UNLV to study Spanish literature. She graduated in the class of 1973. In 1975, Eva applied to become a court interpreter, a decision that would drastically change the trajectory of her career. She earned the coveted position and began to work beside Judge John Mendoza who was the first Latino elected to public office in the state of Nevada. Several years later John and Eva would wed. Judge Mendoza passed away in 2011. Eva talks about how extraordinary his legacy is-from his professional achievements to a story about his v football days and the 1944 Dream Team, this true story even piqued the interest of Hollywood writers. Through her work, Eva began to notice how she was more than qualified to become a lawyer herself, so she applied and gained a full ride scholarship to the Law School of San Diego University. Eva describes the struggles of attending school in San Diego while her spouse and children were home in Las Vegas. Despite the financial difficulties, being one of few minority students, and becoming pregnant her second year, Eva was able to finish her remaining university credits by returning to Las Vegas and working with Judge Mendoza. Together, they started the Latin Bar Association. Eva began her own practice in 1981 and would later partner with Luther Snavely, who was the son of her band teacher that helped her to attend college so many years back. Today, Eva has a new partner at her office and hired her son to work as a secretary. Eva also tells of the office’s mysterious history, of which includes a ghostly figure many clients claimed to have seen in the reception room. Eva recounts many of her professional achievements, such as petitioning to start the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Nevada Chapter, representing celebrities, winning the unwinnable cases such as against the Nevada Test Site. Eva talks about current events, such as today’s immigration laws, the discriminatory practices of revoking birth certificates from those born in Brownsville, TX., and about the importance of the #MeToo movement. Eva and her family have a great fondness for Las Vegas. The support for the Latinx community in Las Vegas greatly contrasts that which she experienced as a child in southern Texas. She describes wanting to take her children and grandchildren to visit her old home in McAllen, TX where her family grew up on the “wrong side of the tracks.”
Text
Photographs of Starlite Motel at dusk, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 17, 2017
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Site address: 1873 N Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: LAS VEGAS DRAGON HOTEL LLC
Sign details: This motel resides in North Las Vegas and is one of the few around that still offers traditional roadside lodging.
Sign condition: 5 - Sign was recently updated with was appears to be newer neon and a different color scheme, going with a bright blue and brown. New white vinyl letters have been added.
Sign form: Pole
Sign-specific description: Previous to the spring 2017 upgrade: This pole sign extends out toward the street for motorists and pedestrians to see. This pole is a bright red color. A four pointed red star sits at the top of the red pole for everyone to see. This is outlined with neon tubes that glow blue at night. In the spaces between the points of the star the neon tube is bent to create smaller points. In the middle of the star painted in bold white script is the word "Starlite." This is also outlined with neon tubes to glow at night. Under this is the word "VACANCY" painted in bold white text, but the neon tubes that outline it light up red. Attached to the point of the star that extends toward the road is a long, rectangular sign that reads "MOTEL" in bold white text with a black outline on a light blue background. Extending from the "MOTEL" sign towards the red star are 3 smaller four pointed stars that have incandescent light bulbs in their center and are outlined by neon tubes that glow blue at night. On top of the "MOTEL" sign is another one of these four pointed stars that sits on the outer edge of the sign. Next to this is a larger, light blue four pointed star with an incandescent light bulb in the center and a smaller four pointed star made from a neon tube surrounding the light bulb. The neon tube that outlines the larger portion of the star is bent to create smaller points in the portions of the star without points.
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Unknown since update
Sign environment: The surrounding properties are Jerry's Nugget and the Silver Nugget casinos. It is also just down the street from the Cultural Corridor which includes the Neon Museum and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. The Las Vegas Library is also down the street.
Sign - date of installation: c. 1950s
Sign - date of redesign/move: Spring 2017
Sign - thematic influences: This property is one of many star-themed motels throughout the city. The 1950's was a popular time for space age/ star themed business due to the Space Age and explorations during this time period. Also, since the name of the property is the "Starlite Motel", the amount of stars included in this sign emphasizes this theme.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign has a heavy influence of the Space Age due to the stars throughout the sign that are telling of the theme for the property. The specific stars for this sign have a Googie-like influence as well because they are very stylized in a futuristic manner.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website, roadarch.com
Survey - other remarks: http://www.roadsidepeek.com/roadusa/southwest/nevada/vegas/lvmotel/lvnorthmotel/index.htm#sta rlitemotel
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-05
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Paint; Pole sign
Mixed Content
Photographs of Bonanza Gift Shop, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 6, 2017
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Site address: 2440 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Haim Gabay
Sign details: The Bonanza Gift Shop opened in 1981 marketing as the world's largest gift shop. Though in 1963 a portion of the property opened as an Honest John's Casino. In 1971 the Big Wheel opened next to Honest John's Casino. After 1974 Big Wheel changed to Centerfold Casino 1975-1977. In 1977 the Centerfold Casino changed to Jolly Trolley Restaurant, Saloon and Dining Depot. From 1977-1981 Jolly Trolley remained at the location; it seems at one point Jolly Trolley took over the entire shopping center and casinos. Between 1977 and 1981, a 24 Hour Adult Book Store was taken over by Jolly Trolley that allowed Bonanza Gift Shop to purchase the whole property. The sign's design and theme has stayed the same from 1963 to current. The gift shop was sold for $50 million in 2016 to Haim Gabay.
Sign condition: 3- the paint is peeling off, and the signs have holes in them. The incandescent light bulbs and marquee are not working to full capacity; some portions do not light up at all.
Sign form: This is considered an architectural sign with the reader boards-marquee built into the building. The sign at the end of the corner is considered a cantilever construction.
Sign-specific description: The sign is mainly rusty red and a gold-yellow that surrounds the building with multiple "Bonanza Gift Shop" logos in a old west type font. Also there is a reader board surrounding the building as well.
Sign - type of display: The Display used is a reader board, neon, incandescent, and fluorescent lighting.
Sign - media: Plastic, Steel and Fiberglass
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic for reader board
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: Incandescent light bulbs that surround the building and logos
Sign environment: The property is on the west corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Sahara. The stores surrounding the establishment are Naughty Town, Walgreens, Essence Cannabis, Strip Gun Club and Diversity Tattoos.
Sign - date of installation: Estimated 1963 or earlier
Sign - date of redesign/move: 1963 Honest John's cantilever construction. 1971 Big Wheel opened up and added the projection sign. In 1974 the Big wheel changed to Centerfold Casino and in 1977 name changed to Jolly Trolley. In 1981 the Jolly Trolley projection and cantilever construction sign changed to Bonanza Gift Shop.
Sign - thematic influences: The sign dates back to 1963 and resembles the golden nugget decorated shed concept along with the cantilever construction sign similar to golden nugget's 1946 sign, except circular rather than organic. The actual sign uses color psychology to attract consumers to the gift shop. The theme is definitely western themed.
Survey - research locations: https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/bonanza-gift-shop-in-las-vegas-sold-for-50m-records-show/ about new owner purchase. Vintage Las Vegas http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Bonanza+Gift+Shop helped with dates of property change. Author Paul W. Papa's book "Discovering Vintage Las Vegas: A Guide to the City's Timeless Shops"
Surveyor: Gisselle Tipp
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-12
Sign keywords: Architectural; Plastic; Steel; Incandescent; Chasing; Reader board; Neon; Marquee; Fluorescent; Roof Sign
Mixed Content
