Beyond the Mint: Mid-Century Modern Architecture of Walter Zick

You've waited patiently and we appreciate that.  Here is the latest information on our October 3rd event highlighting the work of local architect Walter Zick with a focus on his mid-century modern homes and commercial buildings.

If you went to school at Hyde Park Jr. High, John C. Fremont, Western, Valley or Clark, if you banked at the Bank of Las Vegas/Valley Bank or bank today at the Bank of America on West Charleston and Decatur, you've been in a Walter Zick designed building. 

If you spent time at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital (today UMC) in the 1960s, the Flora Dungan Humanities Building at UNLV or the old Safeway and W.T. Grants on the corner of Maryland Parkway and E. Charleston, you've been in Walter Zick designed buildings.

If you love the Mint and it's beautiful pink and white neon sign, you know Walter Zick.

Walter Zick, along with his partner Harris Sharp, changed the look of post-war Las Vegas. From schools to banks to residential homes, Walter Zick and Harris Sharp put their stamp on Las Vegas.  They designed buildings for the Test Site, for housing projects, for government buildings.  They also designed hotels like the Moulin Rouge, the Mint and the Union Plaza.  They worked on early remodels of the El Rancho Vegas and the Flamingo.

Much of that architecture is still standing.

We have planned a day of exploring the talent of Walter Zick and we invite you to join us.

Saturday, October 3rd.

Nevada State Museum

700 Twin Lakes Drive in Lorenzi Park

11:30 am  Reception

12:00 pm 

Panel Discussion featuring noted Mid-Century Modern historian and author (and big fan of the Mint Hotel), Alan Hess; architect Eric Strain of Assemblage Studios and Walter Zick's daughters, Karen Zick Goff and Claire Zick Walker. 

Admission price for the Panel Discussion is $3, reservations for the Panel Discussion are NOT necessary.

Immediately following the Panel Discussion, there will be an afternoon bus tour around Las Vegas pointing out some of the still standing architecture of Walter Zick.  There will be four stops on the tour.  The fifth and final stop will be at the Morelli House, while not designed by Zick, is a beautiful example of mid-century modern architecture.  The Junior League has graciously offered to host tours of the house for tour participants.

RSVP's are MANDATORY for the bus tour due to limited seating.  Leave your name and phone number on the voicemail.  Both are important as we will be calling a few days before to confirm all the reservations.  Admission price is $5. 

You must call 702-486-5205 x 121 to RSVP.  Leave your name and a working phone number.

1:30 pm  Bus Loading

2:00 - 6:00  Bus Tour

The bus will return to the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas by 6:30 pm.

Once we have reached the seating capacity of the bus, we will have a will-call list as well.  We recommend calling as soon as possible to insure that you get a seat on the bus.

This should be a wonderful day of history, fun and a  chance to learn about buildings that you have loved for years.

This event is made possible by the generous support of:

Nevada Humanities, the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas; the Friends of Classic Las Vegas, VeryVintageVegas.com; the Junior League of Las Vegas, the Atomic Age Alliance and Brian "Paco" Alvarez.

Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital, image courtesy of Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas

Flora Dungan Humanities Building, UNLV, photo courtesy of Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas

How Modern Was My Valley

We are hoping by Friday to be able to post the RSVP phone number for the upcoming Walter Zick Event on Saturday, Oct. 3rd.

As previously noted, that morning beginning at 11:30 am there will be a reception/panel discussion at the Nevada State Museum in Lorenzi Park. 

The Panel Discussion featuring mid-century modern historian and author, Alan Hess; architect Eric Strain and Walter Zick's daughers, Karen and Claire will begin at 12:00 pm.  Admission is $3 and RSVP for that portion of the program is not necessary.

Immediately following the panel discussion will be a bus tour that will feature some of Walter Zick's still standing architecture.  Everything from residential to commercial to community to casino designs will be highlighted.

Seating for the bus tour is limited and RSVP's will be mandatory.  Admission for the bus tour is $5.  The final stop on the tour will be at the Morelli House and tours of the house will be given.  Though Walter Zick did not design the Morelli House, it is a splendid example of the mid-century modern architecture of the era.  We thank the Junior League for opening the house for us.

In the meantime, here are some mid-century modern buildings that you may remember. 

PLEASE NOTE:  These photos belong to the Nevada State Museum and we are fortunate that they are allowing us to post them here.  Any other postings of these pictures on other websites is not allowed unless you have the written permission of the State Museum, Las Vegas.

Cinerama Dome just off Paradise Road

Convention Center and Rotunda just north of the Cinerama Dome

McCarran Airport, 1960s

Sears at the Boulevard Mall

Vegas Village near Commercial Center

My KNPR Interview with John L Smith

I'm going to be on K-NPR tomorrow morning (Thursday) at 10:00 am with John L. Smith as part of the "State of Nevada" series. 

I'll be talking about Las Vegas history with John L. as well as the inspiration behind my work (special shout-out to my hubby, Jon), growing up in Las Vegas as well as "Untold Stories" at the Springs Preserve, our upcoming "Beyond the Mint: The Mid-Century Modern Architecture of Walter Zick" program and finally, the book, "Las Vegas: 1905- 1965" so tune in as John L Smith and talk about things near and dear to our hearts!

Cultural Corridor adds historic Signs

The first of three vintage neon signs will be set into place on Las Vegas Boulevard, in the Cultural Corridor, on Monday night, Aug. 24, during the overnight hours. The completely refurbished Bow & Arrow Motel sign will be installed in a median island north of Bonanza Road, as part of the $1.1 million Neon Sign Improvement Project.

Years ago, the Bow & Arrow Motel was located on Las Vegas Boulevard at Wyoming Avenue near Dino’s. The sign is believed to have been installed at the motel during the late 1950s or early 60s.

A total of three completely restored neon signs are planned for placement on Las Vegas Boulevard, from Bonanza to just north of Washington Avenue, as part of this project. New landscaped median islands are also being installed.

The other two signs that will be installed in the coming weeks are the Silver Slipper sign that sat atop the Silver Slipper Gambling Hall, and the Binion’s Horseshoe sign that used to be at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino on Fremont Street.

Once the signs are in place, crews will work to provide power and conduct a series of tests prior to the signs being officially put into service.

The signs being installed on Las Vegas Boulevard are in the heart of Las Vegas’ Cultural Corridor. The corridor is made up of the highest concentration of cultural institutions in Las Vegas and includes Cashman Center, the Las Vegas Library, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, The Neon Museum, the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park, and the Reed Whipple Cultural Center.

These three signs are also the first in a series of historic neon signs that will be completely restored and eventually placed on Las Vegas Boulevard, from Washington to Sahara Avenue, as part of the Las Vegas Boulevard Scenic Byway Program.

Funding for this project is provided by the Centennial license plate fund and the city of Las Vegas. The signs that are being used in the project are on loan from the Neon Museum. The Bow & Arrow Motel sign was originally restored through donations to the Neon Museum in the name of Las Vegas historian Frank Wright.

Rafael Construction is the contractor. The city of Las Vegas is managing the project. The improvement project started in May and is slated for completion in late September or early October.

Photos courtesy of Brian "Paco" Alvarez.