Every time I drive by the historic Westleigh neighborhood I remember my childhood, Paula.  She lived with her grandparents in a house on Darmak.  We met in sixth grade at the Las Vegas Day School and became fast friends.  Most of the other kids in our class came from upper middle class homes where their fathers were doctors, dentists and casino owners.  In fact, in our class was one of the "Four Queens", Faith Goffstein.  Paula and I were from less ritzy families.

I was reminded of all that this morning as I read about the residents of Westleigh.  Many have lived in the neighborhood for years and a number of homes still look the same as they did forty and fifty years ago.  The residents are hoping to convince the Historic Preservation Commission to designate it a historic neighborhood.

Our friend, Jack LeVine, has photos of the Westleigh neighborhood when it was first being built:

http://tinyurl.com/m4m7th

From the RJ:

Phyllis Wattenbarger came to Las Vegas to be with her new husband, Bill, who had been living here two years. She moved from Dayton, Ohio, where it was green, to Southern Nevada, where it was mostly brown. She arrived in the heat of August.

She gave Bill a deadline.

"I told him, 'I'll give you two years to get out of here,' " she said.

That was in 1950.

Three years later, the couple bought a house on Darmak Drive in the brand-new Westleigh subdivision on the south side of Charleston Boulevard between Valley View Boulevard and Cashman Drive.

And they stayed, as did many of their neighbors.

Several of the original homeowners still occupy their houses, and children who grew up there have come back to live as adults. Wattenbarger's son, for example, owns three houses in the neighborhood.

Many of the houses, too, have stayed close to the same on the outside, enough at least to be considered for a listing on the Las Vegas Historic Property Register.

The city's Historic Preservation Commission recommended the listing this week. The Planning Commission will consider it Sept. 24 before it goes to the City Council for final approval.

The Westleigh neighborhood represents one of the major booms in population and home building in Las Vegas' history, after the dramatic growth spurred by the Boulder Dam construction in the 1930s and the World War II-era spurt generated by defense spending.

Construction stretched from 1951 to 1957 in Westleigh, with most of the homes built in 1953 and 1954. There are 288 properties in the proposed district today, according to a consultant's report. About half are considered historically significant. Commercial properties along Charleston would not be part of the district.

In the postwar period, Las Vegas kept receiving federal money because it was a center for Cold War activities. Tourism was growing, and there was tremendous pent-up demand for housing that fueled growth through the 1960s.

When the houses were built, subdivisions on the west side of Las Vegas were off on their own, separated by large, empty pieces of land.

Oakey was barely a street -- Bill Wattenbarger described it as "two ruts." And his house was the first in the neighborhood to get telephone service, which he needed because he was on call for National Cash Register. Everyone else had to use a pay phone at a nearby grocery store.

"Housing was limited. We felt quite fortunate," Phyllis Wattenbarger said.

They paid $12,000 for what was then a three-bedroom, one-bath house, and paid $60 a month on the mortgage.

"Let me tell you, that was a lot of money back then," she said.

Discussion of adding Westleigh to the historic register had gone on for several years, but the push gathered steam a couple of years ago when the neighborhood association decided to organize a push for the designation, said association President Tiffany Hesser, who moved into the neighborhood six years ago.

"We bought because of the historic nature of the neighborhood," Hesser said. "It's different. It's not a neighborhood where you have to know the color of your garage door to figure out which house is yours."

Architecturally, houses in the neighborhood represent a transitional period between the Minimal Traditional style of the 1940s and the Ranch style home of the 1950s and '60s. Most of the homes were 1,000 to 1,100 square feet.

A listing on the historic property register means that standards will be developed for the exteriors of homes, and major changes -- such as an addition or work that requires a permit from the city -- would be reviewed by historic preservation officials to ensure compliance.

Some residents are concerned about that extra layer of review and oppose the designation. Of the comment postcards the city received, 46 property owners support the listing and 17 oppose it.

Those same concerns existed when the John S. Park neighborhood was put on the registry, said Bob Bellis, a commission member and property owner in that neighborhood, which encompasses an eight-street area on the southeast side of Charleston and Las Vegas boulevards. But the designation helps improve and maintain an area, he said, and at least helps keep property values stable.

"They want to keep the whole feel of the neighborhood," Bellis said.

Wattenbarger said most people probably won't have to worry about approval for add-ons because in the half-century since the original houses were built, most of them have already been expanded. Her house had a family room, dining room, half bath and back patio and front porch tacked on, while retaining the original windows, inside doors and hardwood floors (which are currently covered by carpet).

"I feel it will help the area," she said. "You're not going to have the guy putting the car in the yard and fixing the car. There will be some control."

The Lady Luck Hotel and Casino in Downtown began demolishing parts of the property today.  Shuttered since late 2006, the hotel had promised a major comeback as a boutique destination but the souring economy quickly derailed those  plains.

From the RJ:

The CIM Group, a California development company in charge of redeveloping the Lady Luck casino, started tearing down a concrete-and-steel building skeleton at the corner of Fourth Street and Stewart Avenue that Mayor Oscar Goodman recently referred to as a "carcass."

He also directed city staff to scrutinize the site for code violations, expressing frustration that nothing had been done on the project for two years. No violations were issued, said city spokesman Jace Radke: "They just worked with the city."

Construction equipment was ripping away at the structure today.

CIM Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Economic conditions have been blamed for delays in starting the project.

The Lady Luck closed in 2006, and CIM bought it in 2007. Last year, the company reached a development agreement with Las Vegas that would give it access to city-owned land around the planned Mob Museum if renovations to the casino started by December. That deadline could be extended.

Mayor Goodman is having a birthday party as he turns 70 and he is inviting one and all to come and party with him.

Admission is $20 but it goes to charity so if you have nothing to do next Friday evening, come downtown and wish Mayor Goodman a Happy Birthday!

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman will celebrate his 70th birthday in style on Friday, July 31 with a public birthday street party on Fremont Street Experience.

“It’ll be a blast!” Goodman said. “I’m inviting everyone to leave their worries behind and join me for a one-of-a-kind evening that will benefit three local charities. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than to share it with the citizens of fabulous Las Vegas!”

Fremont Street Experience is currently in the middle of its Summer of ’69 festival and concert series and Mayor Goodman’s birthday street party fits right in with the festivities.

“We have the `happiest mayor in the universe’ and with Fremont Street Experience currently the `hippiest place in Las Vegas,’ we are proud to host the mayor’s birthday party,” said Jeff Victor, president of Fremont Street Experience. “We are excited that the mayor decided to make his birthday a public event to raise money for three fantastic local charities.”

Mayor Goodman’s 70th Birthday Celebration will be a Fremont Street Experience “street party” at the First Street Stage plaza next to Golden Nugget from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, July 31. There will be special entertainment and appearances from performers throughout Las Vegas and a ceremony on stage with Mayor Goodman will take place from 8:30-9 p.m. Admission is a $20 donation and will be sold at the entrance gate.

Charities will receive 100 percent of money donated with funds raised going to Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Opportunity Village and Three Square.

Bombay Sapphire Gin, the Mayor’s gin of choice, will be the drink of choice at Goodman’s 70th birthday party. In celebration of the occasion, special “Good-Man Martinis” will be served inside the party on Fremont Street Experience. With the $20 charitable donation, street party participants will receive two “Good-Man Martinis” or other gin mixed drinks made with Bombay Sapphire, plus a commemorative T-shirt and button.

“This is an opportunity for all Las Vegans to participate in celebrating the 70th birthday of our very popular mayor,” said Michael Severino, general manager event marketing of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada. “I thank Bombay Sapphire for helping with this `fun-draiser’ and we look forward to a great time.”

Fremont Street Experience is producing a special tribute to Mayor Goodman that will play during the ceremony on Viva Vision, the world’s largest video screen. United States Bartenders Guild will also make a special presentation to Mayor Goodman. Golden Nugget is the host hotel property for the birthday celebration.
“We look forward to the Golden Nugget’s involvement in this festive occasion,” said Brett Kellerman, chief operating officer of the Golden Nugget. “We are pleased to be helping raise money for these great local charities.”
In April 2007, Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, the 19th mayor of Las Vegas, captured 84 percent of the vote in his reelection effort to a third 4-year term.

As mayor, he was successful in acquiring a large piece of urban real estate in the city without resorting to eminent domain. Symphony Park, a phenomenal 61-acre planned development, will include the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, multiple high-rise residential units, business and retail opportunities. Downtown is undergoing a dramatic change, evolving into a vibrant place for living, working and enjoying entertainment and art venues. Bounding Symphony Park are the World Market Center and the Las Vegas Premium Outlets mall. The World Market Center is a state-of-the-art home furnishings trade show facility. When complete, the complex will exceed 12 million square feet with eight buildings. The outlet mall is the most successful of its kind for dollar-per-square-foot income. In addition, there are almost 18,000 living spaces being planned for construction in downtown. Also, for the first time in many years, multi-million dollar casino and hotel renovations and expansions are currently underway.

Mayor Goodman has been a champion of downtown revitalization, focusing his efforts on creating a downtown urban village filled with small businesses, boutiques, fine restaurants, bookstores and an art component where the public can have social dialogue and exchange ideas.

Mayor Goodman serves as the chairman of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and feverishly works to promote the enticing destination of Las Vegas. Mayor Goodman has also started OPAC, Oscar’s Political Action Committee, to promote and protect the interests of Las Vegas. His first action was to donate $50,000 to the Keep Memory Alive Foundation, the think tank foundation for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

The self-proclaimed happiest mayor in the universe, Goodman was born and raised in Philadelphia, graduating from Haverford College and receiving his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He has become one of the nation’s premier criminal defense attorneys, having been named one of the “15 Best Trial Lawyers in America” by the National Law Journal. He has also been featured in numerous publications such as “Of Rats and Men” and even portrayed himself in the movie “Casino.” Mayor Goodman also serves on the Advisory Board of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Goodman and his wife of 46 years, Carolyn, moved to Las Vegas in 1964 with $87 in their pockets. The couple raised four children in Las Vegas. All four currently make Las Vegas their home. All were educated in Las Vegas and went on to acquire college and graduate level degrees.

Zula Beauty Shop, Main Street, 1930s

The Mint, Walter Zick and Harris Sharpe

Come on, Baby needs a new pair of shoes

A Quainter Time

Young Love, Las Vegas-Style

The Hotel Beauty Shop

Frank Sinatra and Lauren Bacall, the late 1950s

The Moulin Rouge, 1955

Showgirl Kim Smith

Fremont Street, 1955

Just one more gambler, please Lord.

Thanks to Allen Sandquist and Life Magazine for use of the photos.

Friends of Classic Las Vegas Ralph and Sara Denton helped save (for now, at least) the struggling Boulder Dam Hotel.  As reported here, the Hotel, which is home to the Boulder Dam Museum and its one-of-a-kind historical collection had closed last week due to financial problems.

The Dentons, who are long-time residents of Boulder City, made some phone calls and an anonymous donor has stepped up to the plate.

From the LV Sun:

Nine days after the Boulder Dam Hotel closed for lack of funds, an anonymous donation of $260,000 has made it possible for the historic structure, its museum and restaurant to reopen.

“I’m so thrilled with this,” said attorney Ralph Denton, who brokered the donation to the hotel. He presented a check to Darryl Martin, president of the Boulder City Museum and Historical Association at 2 p.m. Monday in front of the hotel. The historical association operates the hotel and restaurant to support the museum, which is on the hotel’s mezzanine level.

The hotel closed July 11 after several rescue plans fell through, the last one an appeal to the city for redevelopment funds. The operation fell behind three months on its mortgages of $940,000 and owed vendors and utility bills. It was able to pay employees a final paycheck on its closing day.

Hotel and museum officials blamed the recession for a $60,000 decline in revenue since December, which they said was the difference between success and failure for the nonprofit venture.

Martin said managers would be calling vendors and former employees quickly so that the restaurant can open for breakfast on Wednesday.

The museum will reopen Tuesday, said museum gift shop manager Marie Sullivan, who kept the gift shop open four of five days last week on a volunteer basis.

The hotel, which Martin called a “working exhibit” as opposed to a business, should be open again for guests this weekend, manager Roger Shoaff said.

Denton distributed a short statement from the donor that said, “People should be less concerned about who the donor is and more concerned with keeping the Boulder Dam Hotel and Museum viable and making a long-term success both with their actions and words.”

The donor is requiring a monthly audit and marketing plan, Denton said. The audits should help the museum manage the property, he said.

Denton said his next goal for the hotel, where he leases space for his law office, is to raise money for an endowment to ensure the long-term health of the association.

“Hopefully others will step forward,” said Sara Denton, Ralph Denton’s wife and a founding member of the Boulder City Museum and Historical Association.

Denton and other lessees of the hotel, including the Boulder City Art Guild, Classic Hollywood Gems and other shops, had been given 30 days to move, but that will no longer be necessary.

Wendy Hatfield, Denton’s assistant, was glad to hear that. She had a vacation scheduled the week of the move that she had canceled. Now she will be able to go.

“It’s definitely a good thing,” she said.

After photos of the check-passing and taking down a sign that told visitors of the hotel’s closure, Denton and Martin headed into the hotel’s lobby.

The next order of business: martinis and champagne.