Going, going…gone Editorial by JOE THOMSON

The winds of change will soon invade the largest information or historic photographs concerning the remaining section of historic downtown . homes and businesses in this area, please forward it to Five blocks of the southwest corner of what was me as I hope to share some of this information in future “Clark’s Las Vegas Townsite” are in the process of articles. redevelopment. The blocks that are included in this project are three fronting Main Street from Lewis It is rather unconscionable how poorly this community Avenue to Garces Avenue and two blocks between First has preserved its history. The opportunity was there to Street and Casino Center Boulevard (Second Street) reach back to the origins of this city and preserve in a between Clark Avenue and Garces Avenue. A company structured and thoughtful process, whether it is identified as XYZ Properties has been aggressively documentation or actual buildings. Instead we are left purchasing since June of 2004 to the tune of nearly 100 with whatever happens to survive without consideration million dollars. There were four holdouts: The Main to the role that the particular building played in the Street Adult Superstore, The Desert Manor Apartment history of Las Vegas. House, The Schofield Professional Center and the Koala Apartments. XYZ Properties seemed rather annoyed at In the not-so-distant future there will not be a single the holdouts claiming in a recent Review-Journal article example remaining of the homes that once filled the vast that they are “designing the live-work project around majority of what was the original town-site. The borders those parcels, leaving the holdouts with sites now worth of the “Clark’s Las Vegas Townsite” stretched from a fraction of what they were offered.” 1 Main Street to Las Vegas Boulevard and from Stewart Avenue to Garces Avenue. The core of the town-site Within this area are some of the oldest structures in the operated on a concept that people worked and lived in , some of which were the first-ever to the area: a concept that we currently hear as a new be built on the lots upon which they now stand. As innovation. The area consisted of roughly 80% example these houses, which can currently be found at residential and 20% business use. the corner of First Street and Bonneville Avenue, can be seen in the circa 1911 photograph at right.

This acknowledgement of the eminent loss of history is in part informational and in part cautionary. At this point it is undetermined how much time will pass before the homes and businesses in this area will be demolished. As usual the news of the loss has occurred so late in the process that it will be difficult to properly document the remaining structures. Currently the majority of the properties are easily identified by the boarded up windows and the extensive chain link fencing that has encased the buildings, thus eliminating the option for even proper photographs. Collection of historical information will commence and I will attempt proper photographic documentation of the area. If any one has

There should have been, could have been, a portion of contributions; the railroad cottages were deserving of the residential district preserved for further generations this gesture. Historically the railroad cottages are easily a to experience what the living conditions were in the hundred times more significant to the community than pioneering days during the birth of the city. Each and that of the federal courthouse and just a few years ago a every one of these residential homes has a remarkable row of seven on Casino Center Boulevard could have history that could have been detailed and experienced by been purchased and used by community organizations future generations. As a community we are destroying for less than one-million-dollars. As the photograph these resources at an alarming rate. Much of this is below depicts all the city could muster was a sign of understandable in an economic sense and we see this significance while they oversaw the removal and course as certain for most properties on the Las Vegas destruction of the actual railroad cottages. Strip, but hey, even Caesar’s Palace saved their original tower during recent remodeling.

The Downtown area is a totally different animal that can not seem to define or revive itself. Apart from a handful of properties the Downtown area of Las Vegas has been outright disrespectful of the history and patterns that precede the current situation. It might be seen as some sort of “Pioneer Curse” that has plagued an area struggling to find the success of its counterparts in the gaming and business world. The Downtown area is desperately lacking any cohesive strategy and when supposed progress takes shape it is usually at the hands of out of state developers who will not provide long term solutions.

In a rather self-serving move the City of Las Vegas has chosen to preserve the Federal Courthouse, with plans to spend $27.4 million in the process. While the courthouse It is important to remember that the license plate fees is worth preserving in a general sense it did not share a that are collected under the promise of historic unique experience with this community and is near preservation are still taxpayer funds even if they are identical to other depression-era courthouses across the voluntarily given and with this comes some country. If a courthouse was to be saved it should have responsibility and accountability. The hope is that at been the County Courthouse built in 1914. At the core of some point some of those funds, which have exceeded the Federal Courthouse project you will find the source two-million-dollars, will be used in a representative of the Downtown woes. If we look past the fact that the fashion by preserving a few small buildings that embody rehabilitation project seems to be a “temple in waiting” the characteristics of the small town life that once for Mayor Goodman’s proclamation of the world’s inhabited the area. Yes, I am dare saying that the money greatest profession, we find a conflict over the buildings generated by taxpayers should go beyond preserving future use. The argument stems from a community that another #*!%#* government building and the elected wishes to see a museum of local history and elected officials need to look beyond their self-serving desires officials who want to see a museum of mobsters to cater and leave a representative history of the pioneers that to tourists. The Centennial Celebration failed miserably struggled to build this spectacularly diverse community. in most areas because of this same approach. Instead of If there is one community on earth that should not be celebrating as a community the centennial committee defined by government shrines, this is it. Where is the focused on serving prospective visitors. Did it ever occur leadership and imagination on this issue? Before it is too to anyone that tourists would be interested in a late there needs to be some action to preserve something legitimate celebration? of the sort that can be found in the five-block area that is about to be demolished, or do we wish to see a At $27.4 million the courthouse project is way off the continuation of “The Pioneer Curse” if future use does scales for a community that in the same breath struggles not include a tribute reflective of the origins of this great to save even the smallest of structures. While the federal city? government will be a source for some of the funding, a 1 one-million-dollar donation was recently made towards Smith, Hubble Investors have plot for downtown. Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 9, 2006 pg 1d. the project from your license plate fees. It seems rather ironic that the abundant support from everyday people Joe Thomson’s opinion should not be construed as an official PACC position. We offer it as another perspective for your consideration. Contact him at was not put to use to save something respective of their [email protected], or PACC, P.O. Box 96686, Las Vegas, NV 89193—ed. The mysteries at Kiel Ranch www.pacc.info now live City will respond at July 19 City Council meeting PACC has a newly designed website By CORINNE ESCOBAR

The Preservation Association of Clark County has recently implemented a new website that will offer the most recent news on preservation issues in the county and state. In addition to standard features such as the historic guide, calendar and links to related events and organizations, new features include an expanded photo gallery were visitors can view past and contemporary images of historic sites. Comments can be posted for visitors to express their opinions on preservation related issues, and members may conveniently renew or join for the first time online.

A very important aspect of the new site is the ability to access past issues of our newsletter. The history of preservation and Clark County in general, will be available at the click of a button. Our newsletter archive For decades the mystery at Kiel Ranch was who shot dates back to 1977 but it will take some time to scan and Archibald Stewart. Then it was the Kiel brothers, upload the entire collection. We hope to accomplish this William and Edwin, whose murders were also never feat within a year. At present, we have past issues solved. It is even still a mystery as to the identity of an available online from 2004. infant buried at Kiel Ranch along with the Kiels and Mary Lassiter. But the biggest mystery of all is how It is our intention that the website will be a central could the city of North Las Vegas take a twenty-seven location for information and serve as the vehicle that acre historic gem and over the course of thirty years, turn networks community activists to promote historic it into a seven-acre dump. preservation. It is our mission and long term goal that the residents of Clark County have opportunities to learn In May, Channel 8 investigative reporter George Knapp, and appreciate their heritage. The history of Las Vegas has aired several stories on the plight of Kiel Ranch and Valley and surrounding areas has a story like no other. learned that the city uses Kiel as a dump site for Our founding fathers and mothers--Paiute, pioneers and unwanted dirt and other debris. As a response to the early residents alike, have given us a legacy of spirited public outcry, there will be a special City Council tenacity to create, and enjoy living in what was once an meeting on July 19, 2006 in the council chambers, 2200 isolated and harsh desert environment. We need to Civic Center Drive, North Las Vegas, at 4:30 p.m. appreciate that legacy by learning about it, preserving it Check our website at www.pacc.info for information as and being proud of it. it develops. All supporters, please attend!!

For a history on Kiel Ranch visit our website at Back in time: Excerpts from the past www.pacc.info and click Newsletters for the October This article is a reprint from the Summer 1983 PACC Newsletter 2005 publication. To see the news reports aired last Kiel Ranch for sale month, and find convenient links to email Mayor At the June 1 meeting of the North Las Vegas City Montandan and the North Las Vegas City Council visit Council, Councilman Dale Huntsman proposed to sell the Kiel http://www.klastv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4926418, or Ranch calling it an eyesore and safety hazard. call the Mayor at 633-1007. Please contact these elected The proposal was tabled until the end of the month, when officials and tell them to be accountable for the people’s the results of the $15,000 master plan were due to be money and property by being responsible stewards of completed. The master plan was commissioned by the City of one of ’s oldest historic sites, dating to 1856. North Las Vegas and undertaken by Facilitators with funding Tell them to preserve the adobe in its original location provided in part by the Nevada Division of Historic and clean the artesian spring area. They can make it Preservation and Archaeology. happen. More than 60 citizens went before the City Council on June 15 in a public forum to ask the City to restore the ranch rather Meanwhile, look for follow-up stories on Channel 8. than sell it. The Council listened to representatives from citizen’s groups such as the Preservation Association of North Las Vegas and PACC. An important part of Southern Nevada Join PACC and help preserve our heritage! history is on the line.

The Old Fort goes neon Voted the best historic spot By CHRIS MACEK

The Review Journal staff, however, saw the light and did pick the Old Fort as the best historic spot. Kudos to the RJ staff. Now if we could only get the rest of the one million plus residents of Las Vegas to pick us, and more importantly, visit!

Annual Meeting and Program Members met at the Atomic Testing Museum

PACC’s Annual Meeting and Program was held May 5 at the new Atomic Testing Museum on Flamingo at Swenson in observance of Historic Preservation and Archaeology Month. Over 50 members and their guests had an extraordinary opportunity to see the well- presented exhibits and hear Director Bill Johnson discuss the history of atomic testing and its impact on The Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park has the community. Not only did the museum waive the $10 become the temporary home of several neon signs that admission fee for each of us but also provided several once graced the city’s skyline. Two of the pieces have docents who conducted guided tours and offered colorful been partially restored and are lit. We have an “R” from information. At the conclusion of the program, guests the original Sahara Hotel sign and a beautifully restored enjoyed the catered reception and the time to visit. sign from the Society Cleaners, which operated on Fremont Street for 60 years. The business was begun in As is the tradition at our Annual Meetings, we present an 1946 by Wayne Gamette and his wife and the sign was award for outstanding contributions to historic installed the same year. For the last few years the sign preservation. This year’s recipient is Anderson Dairy was inoperative and removed from the business in 2006. for their many years of support to the Old Fort and the preservation of local history. Accepting the award for The Gamette family was hesitant to donate the sign to Anderson Dairy was David Coon and his wife, Joan. the Neon Museum unless it could be safely housed and displayed. When a safe repository was assured at the Other business included the election of the Board of Old Fort, the sign was donated to the Neon Museum. Directors for the coming year. The slate of officers Former customers of the cleaners, Robin Greenspun and remains the same as last year and each board member family, then donated the money needed to restore and was voted in unanimously. President is Corinne relight one side of the sign. Today the sign is on display Escobar; Vice-President is Joe Thomson; with its red, white and blue neon top hat and cane motif. Secretary/Treasurer is Garry Hayes. Members–at-large

are Greta Bunschwyler, Jim Hinds, Richard Hooker, There are also several other unrestored signs in the Cathie Kelly, Chris Macek and Mark Ryzdynski.. Visitor Center including my favorite, the sign that used to be over the back door of the Casino. The Silver Slipper was the first Las Vegas gambling hall I ever entered when I first visited Las Vegas in 1978. I even went through the backdoor and passed under this sign. The signs will be on display at the Old Fort until the Neon Museum becomes a reality.

Although those familiar with the history of Las Vegas recognize the importance of the Old Fort to the creation of the city, most Las Vegans apparently do not. In the most recent Best of Las Vegas poll sponsored by the Las Vegas Review Journal, Hoover Dam was picked as the best historic location. It’s not even 100 years old yet!

The Old Fort was picked second by readers of the paper. Corinne Escobar, Joan Coon, David Coon and Garry Hayes. Street Names – the ongoing saga La Concha update By MARK P. HALL-PATTON By DOROTHY WRIGHT

Street names are a fascinating look into our history. The Neon Museum is closing in on its goal of matching They are a place where the most common, and the most the $300,000 LVCVA grant to move the historic La exalted, both coexist on an equal level. Many streets Concha. As of this writing a shortfall of only about retain the names of early residents who just happened to $18,000 remained, and the Neon Nights fundraiser on need a street to their home, or were the first resident on May 10 was expected to put the fundraising “over the the so-named street. Keith Street, for example, is named top.” Other good news came in March when the Nevada for Keith Delzer, who worked for Channel 13, and was Commission on Cultural Affairs awarded the museum the first resident on the street. O’Bannon Drive was $240,000 to move the La Concha to the Neon Boneyard originally the road to Albert P. and Jacqueline site for use as a visitor’s center. The Las Vegas O’Bannon’s home. Cameron Street and Circle were Centennial Committee had already awarded $100,000 to named for Oulie and Mamie Cameron, who lived on the the project, to be released contingent on the LVCVA corner of what became Cameron and Warm Springs. grant being matched. Bryant Avenue was named for Court Bryant, whose large home graced the street. The project is complex and involves cutting the distinctive shell-shaped building in pieces, because its Other streets are named for early property owners, height won’t allow it to go underneath the freeway though some may not be well remembered today. These overpasses between its current location next to the include Arby Avenue, named for Arby Alper who Riviera and its destination next to Cashman Field. developed a motel nearby. Arby also founded Sky Nationally known structural engineer Mel Green of Harbor airport, today’s Henderson Executive Airport. southern California, working with the Las Vegas Smoke Ranch Road was named for the ranch created by architectural firm The Friedmutter Group, has put the Smoke family in the late 1920s. Tomiyasu Lane was together a plan to cut, package, move, reassemble and named for Bill Tomiyasu, whose farm was well known install the building on a new foundation. for its vegetables. Other streets are named for their developers. Albert and Winnick Avenues were both The Neon Museum hopes to start the moving process in named for Albert Winnick, and are located in the the fall. With the City of Las Vegas’s new Neon Park, Flamingo Estates subdivision. Lindell Street was named currently in development, located next to the La Concha, for local real estate developer and promoter Jack Lindell. the newly enhanced campus of the Neon Museum and Eldora Street, located nearby, is named for his wife, and Boneyard will be a visual stunner and a wonderful Edna Street for his sister. attraction for tourists and residents alike.

Speaking of family affairs, perhaps one of the more interesting is in the Paradise area. This is Wilbur Clark’s Paradise Gardens Tract, which includes Wilbur Street, named for Mr. Clark himself, Toni Street, named for his wife, Lulu Street, named for his mother, Shirley Street for his father, and Merle Street for his sister. There is also a Durante Street named for Jimmy Durante, the well-known performer and friend of Wilbur Clark.

A conversation at a NASCAR race provided Di Blasi Drive, named for the parents of the developer of the street. Interestingly, when the name was proposed, it was initially rejected by the county as too difficult to La Concha lobby, 2005 understand in the case of an emergency call. When Angelo Cassaro, the developer, appeared with a list of Spanish names difficult to pronounce, though already in To contact us: extant, the name was allowed. Letters to the Editor may be submitted to PACC, P.O. Box 96686, Las Vegas, NV 89193 or, [email protected]. Letters must be Anyone with information on the history of street names or has noted errors, please contact Mark Hall-Patton at the Clark County signed and are subject to editing. You may also post Museum, 1830 S. Boulder Hwy, Henderson, NV 89015 or call 702 your comments at our website, www.pacc.info. An 455-7955. administrator will review comments before posting. From the president’s desk… Membership Dues Needed Now! By CORINNE ESCOBAR NAME ______For the past two years the PACC board and I have been ADDRESS______working very hard to bring quality programming to our members. We have made an effort to hold our Annual CITY______STATE ______ZIP______Meetings at venues that were unique or not readily available to our members otherwise. In 2004 we met in PHONE______EMAIL______the old Post Office and Federal Building; in 2005 we Sustaining …………………………………………………250.00 were the first to see the new Visitor Center at the Old Fort. This year we met at the Atomic Testing Museum. Contributing ……………………………………………… 100.00 We arranged a special visit to Kiel Ranch, which opened the door for media attention to its plight. We also began Institutional …...... 50.00 a fall program last year and anticipate a walking tour of Family …………………………………………………….. 25.00 Woodlawn Cemetery this fall. We publish our newsletter quarterly which members receive in the mail. Regular ……………………………………………………. 20.00 We also upgraded our website to provide the most current information available on preservation issues and Senior Citizen ……………………………………………... 10.00 it also gives our members a forum to express their Send to: Preservation Association of Clark County opinions. P.O. Box 96686 Las Vegas, NV 89193-6686 We have done all this at no extra cost to members beyond their dues. We thank you for making our programming possible through your generous PACC needs your help! contributions. Because of you preservation has a voice Please take time to join or renew your membership. As a in our communities. nonprofit organization we need your support. Your dollars go to publishing and mailing the newsletter and other publicity and to our programs and projects. We can’t do it without you!

The Preservation Association of Clark PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION County, an all volunteer, nonprofit OF CLARK COUNTY organization established in 1974 for P.O. BOX 96686 the preservation of Clark County’s LAS VEGAS, NV 89193 heritage, publishes this newsletter quarterly. ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

President – Corinne Escobar

Vice-President- Joe Thomson Secretary /Treasurer-Garry Hayes

Members-at- Large Greta Brunschwyler Jim Hinds Richard Hooker Dr. Cathie Kelly Chris Macek

Mark Ryzdynsky

Editor …………..Corinne Escobar