Last year, one of our most successful "Untold Stories" programs was on the history of Fremont Street.

On April 2nd, we will be have a new group of panelists covering More Fremont Street History because the history of the street is just too big to cover in one session.

I am working on putting a panel together.  Paul Carson, who knows a great deal about the early history of Fremont Street will be on hand to talk about the history of the Railroad depots and the El Portal Theater.

In the next few days I will be adding the other panelists'  names here as well.

So check back for more updates.

One scheduling note:

Beginning April 2nd, "Untold Stories" will begin at 6:30 pm.

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

Admission is $12

On Thursday, March 5th join us as we look back at Early Families of Las Vegas.

We will shine a spotlight on the families that helped build and nuture Las Vegas from 1905 through the Great Depression.

It will be a great night of history and memories so we hope you will join us and our panelists:

Paul Carson - local historian with a great deal of knowledge on the family of Helen J. Stewart.

June Eddins - her family had a business on Fremont Street

Bill Gildner -his family arrived in the throes of the Great Depression

Don Payne - local historian

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

7:00 pm

$12 admission

We hope to see you there!

On Thursday, February 5th we have a very unique panel centered around the history of the railroad in Las Vegas.

As many of our readers know, the railroad put Las Vegas on the proverbial map.  It's importance in those early, beginning days of Las Vegas cannot be understated.  The railroad provided many of the jobs for the small community and also provided cottages for its workers to live in.

Over the years, the railroad cottages were home not only to those connected with the company but as the community grew and the railroad grew less important, many of the cottages were turned into businesses.

Finally, many fell into disrepair and most were demolished to make room for bigger and better offices.

But for an evening we are going to look back on this buildings that were home to many of our pioneering residents.  We will talk about their historic importance, the battle to save them and the story of their ultimate preservation.  We will also talk about the importance of the railroad in sustaining the small community in those formative years.

Join us and our panelists to learn more about our early history and the story behind the Cottages.

Donna Andress

Eileen Fitzgerald Carson

Paul Stewart

Brian "Paco" Alvarez

Thursday, February 5th

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

7:00 pm

Admission is $12

We hope to see you there for this rare evening of early Las Vegas history!

Wilbur and Toni Clark at home for the holidays

Join us on Thursday, Dec. 4th for

"Untold Stories":

"Mad Men Holidays:  Celebrating the holidays in Mid-Century Modern Las Vegas

On December 4th, our monthly series, Untold Stories at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve  will look back at the way Las Vegans celebrated the holidays in Post-War Las Vegas.  From fun decorations outside and in, Holiday parades, Holiday programs at school, aluminum trees with color wheels and lavishly flocked trees all accompanied by the prayer to Santa  to please bring snow along with lots of presents.

Joining us in our look at the spirit of holidays past will be native born Las Vegans:

Mary Joy Alderman, Pam Hartley, Gretchen Stamos and tentatively, a surprise guest (who will offer a little history about the way the holidays were celebrated before the war.)

It should be alot of fun and the Las Vegas Springs Preserve will have its Festival of Lights ablaze as well as its Farmer Markets and Wolfgang Puck's restaurant will be open before the Roundtable begins, so stop by early if you're so inclined.

Thursday, Dec. 4th

Untold Stories

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

7:00 pm

Admission is $12 for non-members, $10 for members, $6.50 children 5-17

Reservations requested

(702) 822-7786

We hope to see you there!

December's "Untold Stories" will look back at the way we used to celebrate the holidays with a focus on

Join us on Thursday, November 6th for:

"Untold Stories: A Look Back at the MGM Grand Fire"

It was the deadlist hotel fire in Nevada history and the second deadlist in American history.  We will look back at the events that caused the fire, the heroism and cooperation that helped saved thousands of lives and the legacy of the fire.

Panelists include:

Las Vegas Sun reporter, Mary Manning

KLAS-Channel 8 anchor, Gary Waddell

MGM employee Jose Alvarez

MGM baker, Don Feldman

and tentatively, Clark County Fire Chief, Steve Smith.

This should be a tremendous evening of history and stories so please join us at:

The Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

7:00 pm

Admission is $12