Join us as we separate myth from fact, share stories of the men and women who helped build the town and celebrate one of the most fabulous cities ever built!
May is History and Preservation Month and to help celebrate we will be featuring a series of people working to preserve the history of Las Vegas. Learn more about who they are, the work they are involved in and how they got interested in helping preserve the history while the city constantly changes around theml
It all begins this Friday, May 9th!
"We've had an explosion and everything's on fire" Company Comptroller Roy Westerfield told a dispatcher. A few seconds later he said "Get 'em all out of here".
These were quite possibly his last words.
On May 4th, 1988, a loud explosion rocked the entire Southern Nevada Valley. The ground rumbled, windows shook and, in many places, shattered completely. Residents at first thought it was an earthquake. Others who saw a mushroom cloud rising over Henderson thought a nuclear nightmare might be unfolding in the industrial city.
In reality, it was an industrial disaster that occurred at the Pacific Engineering Production Company of Nevada which was commonly referred to as PEPCON. The plant, located in Henderson, was one of two American producers of ammonium perchlorate which is an oxidizer in solid rocket fuel boosters for the Space Shuttle and the military's Titan Missile program.
The other American manufacturer, Kerr-McGee, was located less than five miles away from the PEPCON plant and well with-in the area that suffered blast damage.
Read MoreHere are some images! How many do you remember?
Honest John's Casino, the Honest John neon remind me of the Holiday Motel
Holiday Motel at night!
J.C, Penney's on Fremont St (now the Emergency Arts bldg), catalog pick up counter was around the corner
Nashville Nevada Club on Boulder Highway- my parents were regulars there
Stardust Drive In Theater sign
For Throwback Thursday we thought we would complement our "Lost Vegas" spotlight on Fremont Street by continuing the Fremont Street imagery.
Check out the image gallery and share with your friends!
Feel free to share your memories of Fremont Street in our Comments section!
