Bland, Ora L., 1933-

Ora Bland migrated to Las Vegas in 1953 from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Her husband was a radiologist and worked in Area 51 of the Nevada Test Site. He never shared information about his work and would sometimes stay at the Test Site for a week or more without coming into the city. Bland remembers the Westside business community when the Brown Derby, the Mexican store, Johnson Malt Shoppe, and Bravo Market existed. An extremely independent person, she handled most of the childcare and worked at the downtown post office (now MOB Museum) for 20 years. A community of walkers, Bland will still walk to the downtown area from her F Street home when she wants a restaurant meal. This was the one activity that ceased during the COVID pandemic. Her living environment is impacted by many homeless individuals. It is her belief and that of her neighbors, that there are adequate homes available for the homeless population but available housing restricts alcohol, drugs of all types even legal ones, and rules are strictly enforced.