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Photographs of Fergusons Motel sign at sundown, Las Vegas (Nev.), June 28, 2017
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Site address: 1028 Fremont St
Sign owner: 1028 Fremont LLC (Assessor) /Downtown Las Vegas Project (Bruzda, 2016; Millward, 2017; Schoenmann, 2013; Snel 2014)
Sign details: The building was constructed in 1946 (Assessor). The business opened originally as the Franklin Motel (RoadsideArchitecure.com). The motel may have been renamed Ferguson's in 1962 (Las Vegas motels-Then and Now). The current sign probably dates from the late 1950's or 1960's and is not from the Franklin (RoadsideArchitecture.com). Downtown Project partners purchased Fergusons Motel in December 2012 and the property was closed as of 2013 (Schoennmann, 2013). The Downtown Project planned to convert the motel's 69 rooms into retail shops, offices, taverns and a restaurant (Schoenmann). As of May 2017, no construction had been completed and The Downtown Project had altered its plans to instead use the site for residences, restaurants and art space (Millward, 2017).
Sign condition: Condition is 5. The sign has been reconditioned to look like new.
Sign form: Pole
Sign-specific description: The sign is mounted on a rectangular metal pole which is painted yellow. Attached to the street side of the pole are several metal cabinets joined to form an "L" shape which points toward the motel. The bottom cabinet contains the word "KITCHENS", which runs horizontally in white painted sans serif letters and white sans serif skeleton neon letters. Below "KITCHENS" is a white plastic light box. Below the lightbox are two rows of intertwining clear light bulbs. The bottom of the metal cabinet is shaped like two undulating waves. Over the top of "KITCHENS" is a small cabinet which spells out "VACANCY" in white san serif letters which are covered by clear skeleton neon sans serif letters spelling out, "Sorry NO VACANCY". The word "MOTEL" runs vertically down the sign in white painted and white neon letters, all san serif. Neon tubes outline the letters while another tube runs down the center. Running down the street side of the sign are three intertwining rows of clear light bulbs. The top of the cabinet is painted green in the shape of a chevron or boomerang. The bottom sides of the boomerang intersect at a perpendicular angle and the top is curved. The tip of the boomerang juts out from the sign toward the hotel. The interior of the boomerang is traced by three rows of skeleton neon. On top of the boomerang is a yellow circle outlined in light blue. The blue outline contains 16 clear light bulbs. The yellow interior of the circle has 16 spiral rows of clear light bulbs running from the exterior to the interior of the circle. The yellow pole which supports the sign runs through a lozenge shaped blue metal cabinet. The cabinet states, "FERGUSONS" in Googie style white letters and skeleton neon and "DOWNTOWN" is sans serif white letters and skeleton neon. Above the cabinet, attached to a pole, is a white statue of a climbing figure which is similar to other figures on Fremont Street and was likely added to the sign by the Downtown Project.
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent
Sign - media: Steel and plastic. Possibly fiberglass for the climbing figure.
Sign - non-neon treatments: Incandescent light bulbs, light box
Sign environment: In the East Fremont district this motel is surrounded by other motels many of which are also currently closed.
Sign - date of installation: Circa late 1950's/ 1960's
Sign - date of redesign/move: The sign is probably from the late 1950's or 1960's (RoadsideArchitecture.com). A postcard from the 1960's shows the background of the "MOTEL" portion of the sign painted black (Garofalo, 2011). Below "FERGUSONS" hung two smaller signs: the top sign displayed the AAA symbol and the words, "Phone", "Pool" and "T-V" (Garofalo, 2011). The lower sign displayed three badges (auto clubs?).
Sign - artistic significance: The sign design style is Googie.
Survey - research locations: Bruzda, N. (2016 May 2). Construction planned for Fergusons Motel in downtown Las Vegas still yet to be seen. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/construction-planned-for-fergusons-motel-in-downtown-las-vegas-still-yet-to-be-seen/ Clark County Assessor. Parcel No. 139-35-201-006. Retrieved from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assessor/Pages/PropertyRecords.aspx?H=redrock&P=assrrealprop/pcl.aspx Garofalo, M. (2011 November 1). Still standing-Fergusons[sic] Motel [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadtrip/6305057708/in/photolist-aBa4Zw-qeNAZa-fxWx3V-54q1dr-7qs1A1-81uYMJ-9i1MAF-pUfCjM-m57jkW-8BzGrN-nM1Nyq-zCCx9s-EJBciL-BkTrgS-zpiF94-aW6aKv-2ZFRQ4-opLfq5-riESKk-n8Wdz-qmMWgN-riESNg-FW15N3-dvx2N-7As5GF-aC7z44-omUMSx-qmMWKy-5XLHvx-evbtLo-onbi7i-635ftN-UhMyz7-8sfVoW-BVWgRY-m8qWB8-ev8mFD-6sadvS-8FdMPf-pBdbtQ-etP68R-pfCeRE-54HNiA-9uFAxg-3b4UbW-FWTWBt-pjCShX-8Bv6mp-aUDgVc-qUKBLu Las Vegas motels-Then and now. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://stefanidrivesvegas.com/2.html Millward, W. T. (2017 May 8). Plans to turn Fergusons Motel into mixed-use campus advance. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/plans-to-turn-fergusons-motel-into-mixed-use-campus-advance/ RoadsideArchitecture.com. Fergusons Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas2.html Schoenmann, J. (2013 July 3). Joe Downtown: Ferguson Motel being converted into taverns, retail spaces. Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved from https://lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jul/03/joe-downtown-ferguson-motel-being-converted-tavern/ Snel, A. (2014 August 5). New plans proposed for rundown Fremont Street motel. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/new-plans-proposed-for-rundown-fremont-street-motel/
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-16
Sign keywords: Steel; Plastic; Fiberglass; Incandescent; Pole sign; Neon
Mixed Content
Transcript of interview with Judy Jetter by Lisa Gioia-Acres, September 10, 2008
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Judy Jetter, a devout jazz music enthusiast, was born in a Chicago suburb in 1939. At the age of three, Judy began taking acting as well as tap and ballet classes. While raised by her mother until age 15 Judy was forced to study opera even though jazz music was her passion. Her first introduction to jazz came while listening to, legendary jazz great, Woody Herman on the radio. Judy developed an instant appreciation and love for jazz music. While working as a commercial actress during her childhood - Super Circus and Peter Pan peanut butter - Judy experienced live performances by the Stan Kenton Orchestra and was completely amazed. After graduation Judy was married and gave birth to her son. She worked for a movie studio in Chicago doing various jobs such as cleaning the stage, typing scripts, model work, and even playing the role of housewife. Later Judy went to college and earned a degree in psychology, which led to a job as a therapist. However, after remarrying to Bill Jetter, Judy switched careers and soon became an exercise instructor at the YMCA. There she cultivated her passion for working with people who suffered from disabilities. In particular, Judy developed a water regiment specifically designed for people with disabilities. Judy would go on to share her experiences in this field in two subsequent book publications. Unfortunately Judy's husband passed away with cancer. However, Judy found refuge and support from a group of jazz enthusiasts. Alongside her cadre, Judy began really studying how to listen to music. She moved to Las Vegas in 1992 and can often be found at different jazz venues throughout the city. She enjoys the local jazz scene in Las Vegas and making her weekly rounds to take-in Big Band and jazz singers such as Jobell and Terri James, as well as going to see Bruce Harper playing at Bugsy's, and the talented Gus Mancuso performing at the Bootlegger. Judy believes that music, like everything else, has evolved and will continue to mature; however, jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong still remain as the foremost contributors in the long history of jazz music. Her hope is that music and the arts will continue to be offered through education to allow the next generation another "dimension to not only their education but their soul."
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Transcript of interview with Patsy Brinton, Margaret Carnell, and Sharon Schmitt by Lois Goodall, April 30, 2014
Date
Archival Collection
Description
In 1905 a twenty-two-year-old second-generation Swiss American left Los Angeles with a friend for Lincoln County, Nevada. Edward "Ed" Von Tobel (1873-1967) and his friend Jake Beckley had heard about some land that was going up for auction. Together they purchased a parcel on the second day in the new desert town of Las Vegas, where they established Von Tobel's Lumber Company, which served Southern Nevada from 1905 until it closed in 1976. In Las Vegas Von Tobel met and married fellow German-speaker Mary Hameril, and together the couple raised four children in the city: Jake, Katherine Elizabeth, Ed Jr., and George. Many Von Tobel descendants live here still. Margaret Carnell, granddaughter of Ed Von Tobel and Mary Hameril and the oldest of three daughters of Elizabeth Von Tobel and Kenneth Zahn, was born in Las Vegas in 1939. After attending Arizona State University Margaret married in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1958 Margaret raised two children in Scottsdale, Arizona, before returning to Las Vegas in 1983. Margaret manages the Von Tobel family properties and in her spare time likes to travel. Patricia "Patsy" Brinton is the second daughter of Elizabeth Von Tobel and Kenneth Zahn. Like her sisters Patsy was raised in Las Vegas, where in 1972 she married real estate broker Robert Brinton. The Brintons raised two daughters and a son. Like her cousin Sharon, Patsy donates considerable volunteer hours through Assistance League of Las Vegas and Junior League of Las Vegas. Patsy enjoys traveling and playing golf and tennis. Sharon Schmitt, the second of four daughters of Edward Von Tobel Jr. and Evelyne Leonard, was born in Las Vegas in 1940. In 1963 in Las Vegas Sharon married Larry Schmitt, an agent for Allstate Insurance. Besides enjoying traveling and playing tennis, Sharon has long been an active community volunteer through Assistance League of Las Vegas, Junior League of Las Vegas, and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Together the Schmitts raised a family of three children, who still live in Las Vegas and are raising the next generation of the Von Tobel family.
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Linda Miller Papers
Identifier
Abstract
The Linda Miller Papers (2008-2024) document Dr. Linda Miller's historic preservation work in Las Vegas, Nevada including her work portraying early Las Vegas resident, Helen J. Stewart, at historical events across Southern Nevada. The collection documents Miller's efforts to erect a statue of Helen Stewart at the Las Vegas, Nevada Old Mormon Fort, as well as her contributions to the programming for Sarah Winnemucca Day in 2018. The collection documents Miller's appearances as Helen J. Stewart through photographs, pamphlets, video recordings, digital files, and curriculum used for her outreach work. The collection also documents Dr. Miller's activities as chair for the Nevada State Society chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) and as a member of the National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims Southern Nevada Chapter.
Archival Collection
UNLV Libraries Collection on the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe
Identifier
Abstract
The UNLV Libraries Collection on the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe (approximately 1974-1990) contain oral history transcripts of Paiute community members from approximately 1974 to 1977 and reproductions of Bureau of Indian Affairs correspondence, legal documents, annual reports, and census information regarding the area formerly known as the Las Vegas Indian Colony located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The documents contain information about the original transfer of property ownership from Helen J. Stewart to the United States, who acted on behalf of the Paiute people in 1911, the establishment of the original site location, and annual reports which include a narrative about the community, census information, and health reports of the population living in the area. The collection contains no original documents.
Archival Collection
Helen J. Stewart Papers
Identifier
Abstract
The Helen J. Stewart Papers (1869-1978) document the life of Las Vegas, Nevada pioneer, Helen J. Stewart. It includes correspondence between Stewart and her children as well as various family legal papers and certificates. The collection also contains Helen J. Stewart's 70th birthday scrapbook, a ledger, and a day book from 1904-1919, as well as several photograph albums and information related to the family burial plot.
Archival Collection
Brittany Castrejon oral history interview: transcript
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Oral history interview with Brittany Castrejon conducted by Claytee D. White and Barbara Tabach on November 9, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Brittany Castrejon details her experiences during the evening of the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes the Route 91 Harvest Festival set-up and details the events of that night, which she experienced alongside her 14-year-old cousin and a few friends. Castrejon tells her story of trying to find safety from the chaos during the entire ordeal, eventually finding refuge for the remainder of the night at the Tropicana hotel. She ends the interview by discussing her adjustment to life after the shooting and her post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as what she has learned from the experience.
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