Las Vegas and Surviving Historic Preservation Week

Whew!!!!

What a week!  It's hard to believe how much cool stuff went on this week and how much fun we all had.

Here's a little recap in case you weren't able to join us for all the fun, festivities and good times.

Tuesday's Roundtable Discussion of the History of Helldorado at the Clark County Museum was a great deal of fun (and a much appreciated shout-out to Glen Gamer and the mechanics at the Exxon station at Basic and Boulder Highway for a great assist).

Our panelists Emmett Sullivan, Don Payne and Tim Cashman all shared great stories and the audience was filled with people who shared their own Helldorado memories as well.  Thanks to everyone who participated and came out.  Special thanks to Mark Hall-Patton for moderating!

Wednesday night was a busy evening.  The Neon Museum had a special event and showcased the unveiling of the restored La Concha lobby.  It looks absolutely beautiful from what I hear and the way they sited the building is going to show off the entire museum when it opens hopefully a few years from now.

While the Neon Museum event (complete with Hard Hats with a La Concha logo) was underway, we were over at the Nevada State Museum with our Roadshow event, "Southern Nevada and the New Deal".  The docents had prepared Depression era snacks (the cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches were the big hit) for everyone to enjoy.

The historians on the panel, Dennis McBride and Peter Gough did a great job of talking about the importance of the New Deal, the Alphabet Soup programs and our old-timers Johnny Pinjuv, Mike Pinjuv and Bonnie Rams told some wonderful and often humorous stories of what it was like growing up here during that era.  We talked about everything from the CCC boys (whom Ms. Rams said of "When we passed them on the street, my mother would tell me "Don't look at them" but I did because some of them were cute") to the infamous Roxie's at Four Mile.  

Someone in the audience asked what Roxie's was and without missing a beat, Dennis took the microphone, looked straight at the lady and said "It was a whorehouse" in his best dead-pan delivery.  It brought the house down.

Friday afternoon found us all at Brian Paco Alvarez's 'Re-Invention' exhibit opening at the Bridge Gallery in City Hall.  There are some great photos of the evolution of the Golden Nugget, the Horseshoe and the Morelli House along with wonderful historical information.  (Special thanks to all for including us as one of the information sources!) 

Collector Carey Burke, former Lt. Governor (and collector) Lonnie Hammergren, VeryVintageVegas fashion maven Mary Joy Alderman, Pam Hartley, Jack LeVine, Bob Stoldal and more turned out to hear Paco talk about the importance of the architecture downtown and the importance of the historical photos.  

This exhibit is up until the end of the month so if you get a chance be sure to check it out!

Yesterday was Preservation and Cultural History Day.  Our volunteers at the Huntridge were unable to give tours of the building due to safety and power issues.  So, instead, they answered questions and gave a history of the building to those that stopped by and in-between pulled weeds and generally cleaned up the grounds.  It was nearing 100 degrees by 11:00 am, so we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for all that!

At the Springs Preserve, the Paiute Indians were performing their Pow-Wow Dance and it was great.  Indoors (thank the Lord) were all the museums and historic preservation groups.  We had a great time passing out information, spreading the word about how important it is to become involved in helping to save our history and answering questions.

The Film Festival's afternoon screenings included a History of Helldorado (a collaborative film by the Nevada State Museum and FCLV) that included some great shots of Helldorado parades from the 1950s (including the Sambo's that used to be on the corner of Bonanza and Las Vegas Blvd. North).

Dennis McBride showed home movies from the Abe Weinstein collection.  Weinstein owned a 16mm movie camera back in the 1950s and in addition to shooting the usual home movies of his family, he shot some great color footage of the iconic neon signs of the Las Vegas Strip at night, wonderful shots of the original Flamingo and Tropicana Hotels and more Helldorado Parades.

Historian Bob Stoldal showed two short films. "Is Anybody Listening?" was a series that KLAS did 25 years ago on the preservation issues of the day back then.  A young George Knapp was the reporter on some of them.  Great footage of the old Ice House, the old Las Vegas Hospital and Kiel Ranch main buildings before they were lost to fires of a suspicious nature.

His second film was a series of ads and commercials from his private collection on the way Las Vegas was advertised in the 1950s.

"The Story of Classic Las Vegas", our own documentary, followed.

We got to the Helldorado Parade staging area about 6:30.  It was hot but we were having a great time.  Dr. Lonnie Hammergren brought his float with signs from the Frontier and the Nevada Palace.  He had a Granny Clampett bench seat welded to the top of the cab.  Jack LeVine drove the float while Dr. Lonnie and Mary Joy Alderman rode up top.  Dr. Lonnie's wife, Sandy, sat along side.

We were there in our Pink Cadillac with Lorraine Hunt and her husband, Dennis Bono.  Walking alongside passing out Classic Las Vegas Tee-shirts were Pam Hartley, Jeff King, Jenny and Zane Donaldson.

About half-way down the parade route, due to how slow the parade was going, the Caddie overheated.  We were pushed to the side but got to watch the parade go by.  The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's float included a miniature of Fremont Street at night.  By far, our favorite float.  The Paiutes with their Pow-Wow Dance were our favorite group.  The Long Beach Mounted Police with their beautiful Palomino horses were ahead of us.  Following behind were two young boys with the world's largest pooper-scooper wagon and shovel.  Kudos to those boys for keeping the parade route cleared!

We ended up at Mickie Finnz on Fremont Street where we could hear the fireworks going off over the East Fremont Entertainment District.  Dr. Lonnie and Sandy were there along with Paco. pam, Jack, Mary Joy and the rest of the gang including Dennis McBride and our good friends from Los Angeles, Eric Lynxwiler and Phil McKinley.

We cooled off and enjoyed the band.  By the end of the night we were all singing along to the Johnny Cash and country-western tunes.

It was a great way to end a terrific week of preservation, culture and fun.  Thank you to all who helped make this the best attended Historic Preservation Week yet.  We look forward to next year!

A special shout-out to Allen Sandquist (RoadsidePictures):  Everybody Misses YOU!!!  Hurry back!!!

In the meantime, as soon as I get some of the photos from Jack LeVine and Eric I will post them.  I also have video of the parade that I will try to post early this week. 

In the meantime,

"You don't have to call me darling,  Dahrling, I wonder why you don't call me, you never even call me by name!"

 

 

Las Vegas News Bureau Exhibit

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Fremont Street 1940s


Our good friends at the Las Vegas News Bureau have put together a photo exhibit for Preservation Week.

Curator Brian "Paco" Alvarez will be on hand to talk about the exhibit "Re-Invention".

"Re-Invention" focuses on the evolution or Re-Invention of downtown Las Vegas by comparing historic and current images of buildings such as Binion’s Hotel on Fremont Street and dramatic changes such as the re-location of the La Concha hotel lobby.

The buildings included in the collection of photographs are: Binions Horseshoe, El Cortez, Fremont Street Experience, Golden Gate Hotel, Golden Nugget, Hotel Sal Sagev, La Concha, Las Vegas Club, Las Vegas Grammar School (Fifth Street School), Las Vegas Post Office, the Morelli House, Union Pacific Railroad Station, and the Union Plaza. Included will be several aerial and over-all photos of Fremont Street.

This all happens on Friday, May 16th at the Bridge Gallery in City Hall. There is an opening reception from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and we encourage everyone to come on down and enjoy the photos.

The exhibit will stay up until May 30th but tomorrow is the only chance to hear Paco and local historian/preservationist Bob Stoldal talk about our history.

"Re-Invention"

Bridge Gallery, City Hall

Visitors may reach the gallery through the second floor of the Las Vegas City Hall parking garage on the southeast corner of Stewart Avenue and Fourth Street. Parking is by paid meter only. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. There is no charge for admission. For more information about the Bridge Gallery call (702)-229-1012.

 

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Fremont Street Experience 2008 

 

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Post Office 1940s

 

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 Post Office 2005

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 Fifth Street Grammar School

 

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 Fifth Street Grammar School today undergoing restoration

 

Special Thanks to the Las Vegas News Bureau for letting us use these images! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fremont East Entertainment District Update

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The Fremont East Entertainment District had a big party last August to kick-off the opening of the area that is located on Fremont Street  between Las Vegas Blvd. and Eighth Street.

The new neon  signs shining brightly at night and one of our favorite hang-outs is the Downtown Cocktail RoomThe Griffin and the Beauty Bar are also open.

Now word comes that the former National Dollar Store/7-11/Metro Sub-Station building on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Fremont (catty corner from Neonopolis) will transformed into The Hive, a two-story nightclub and alternative music venue.  Next door will be the Dowtown Burger Bar, a family style restaurant that will have sidewalk cafe seating.

The owners of the El Cortez also own the old Fremont Medical Building on the north side of Fremont Street at 6th.  This, of course, is the old JC Penney's store.  They are looking for someone to lease the building and upgrade the property.  The former Eaton's Dress Shop has had numerous signs in the window hearalding new openings that have yet to take place.

Our pals at CheapoVegas are very excited about the renovations going on at the Gold Spike (their favorite hang).  The Spike is undergoing a $3.5 million floor to ceiling renovation of the hotel and the casino.  The Siegel Group which owns the Gold Spike recently bought the Travel Inn (next door to the Spike) and will incorporate that property into the Spike. 

Word is even being floated that Neonopolis (now known as Fremont Square) may be showing some signs of life.  According to owner Rohit Joshi, a deli called "The Taste of California", an Italian Restaurant and a Sushi Bar are all set to open in the next few weeks.

Mike Nolan, general manager of the venerable El Cortez which continues to be a beacon of light and success in that area, was quoted as saying:

“Whether the economy gets better or worse, we can’t stop,” Nolan said. “You gotta keep moving or you’ll fall behind. There’s no such thing as sitting still. That’s what we’re working on.”

Here's hoping by the one-year anniversary this August that more businesses will have opened in the Fremont East Entertainment District.  This area has great potential, especially over the next five years as Fremont Street undergoes a historic renovation with the opening of Union Park and the other cultural sites that are set to open in a few years.

 


 

Jackie Gaughan sort of retires

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Jackie Gaughan, the last of the old-school casino owners, has officially retired.  He sold his shares in his beloved El Cortez this week.  As many of our readers know, thanks to our History of Fremont Street, Gaughan has been a fixture on the downtown gaming scene for over 50 years.  He has owned the El Cortez since 1963.  He helped build the Union Plaza and at one time he owned the Las Vegas Club, the Plaza, the Gold Spike, the Showboat and the El Cortez.

But age was catching up with Jackie and a few years ago he sold his gaming properties except for the El Cortez.  While the new owner of the Plaza and the Las Vegas Club struggle to keep the properties viable and the new owner of the Gold Spike, the Siegel Group, move forward with plans to renovate and upgrade the Gold Spike, the El Cortez quietly changed hands this week.

But for the crowd at CheapoVegas and the Big Empire and all lovers of Downtown Las Vegas, not to fear.  Jackie kept the El Cortez in the family so to speak.  Kenny Epstein, one of Jackie's partners since the 1950s, his son and Jackie's nephew Mike Nolan are now the official owners of the venerable downtown casino and hotel.  The Epsteins are the majority share holders.

Jackie will continue to live in his suite at the El Cortez and will continue to greet patrons and make his appearances at the gaming tables.  So while the hotel quietly changed hands, the ambassador and creator of  the famous Fun Books, will continue to be the local face of the El Cortez.

The El Cortez continues to be the best performing gaming place on Fremont Street.  That comes as no surprise as they are following in the tradition of Gaughan and Benny Binion, of giving the customers good values on meals and drinks and making them feel like winners.  

The new owners want to maintain that tradition while making the hotel viable for the new tourism that is coming to Fremont Street in the next five years with the opening of Union Park, the Ruvo Brain Institute, the Smith Performing Arts Complex and the Mob Museum

Other news is that the Ogden House, also owned by the El Cortez, is undergoing a renovation.  It will be renamed the El Cortez Cabana  Suites and will lose its 1940s weeping mortar front.  That facade will be replaced by a 1950s mid-century modern look.  Mike Nolan is quoted in the Las Vegas Review Journal saying that the renovation will cost $6.4 million or $100,000 a room.

"We like the history value of it," Nolan said. "But we are continuing to modernize it."

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Jackie Gaughan

 

 Special thanks to RoadsidePictures for letting us use his image of the El Cortez and Special Thanks to the Review Journal for letting us use the image of Jackie Gaughan.