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

If you weren't at "Untold Stories" last night, you did!

Last night's panel was terrific.  Dr. Liz Warren gave us an overview of  early mining in Southern Nevada that stretched back to the Anasazi.  Donn Blake walked us through a typical day in the life of a hard rock miner, the difference between a miner and a prospector and even brought his prospecting bag filled with tools and essentials and explained why you needed such things.  Tony Werly gave us the history of the famed Techaticcup Mine and how he and his wife, Bobbi, bought the mine and discovered the opening of the old tunnel that had been buried for over 100 years.

We also heard about deserters from the Army, murders, massacres, Mouse, Queho and a brief railroad history.

"Untold Stories" is the only series that every month (except January) brings you in contact with the living history of Southern Nevada.  Each month we focus on a different historic topic and have a panel that includes historians as well as the men and women who witnessed history first hand.

Next month on October 1st, we will be looking at the famed Moulin Rouge hotel, the first integrated hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

On November 5th, we will be talking about Howard Hughes in Las Vegas and focusing on his time here before he came here in 1966 and went on a buying spree.

And in December, we will have a fun night talking about the Las Vegas You Don't Know.

It's the first Thursday of each month at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve.  We bring history to life in relaxed atmosphere of fun and learning.

Beginning next month, the price for tickets for "Untold Stories" will be lowered to $9 for non-members and $7 for Springs members.  So for less than $10 you get history, memories and invaluable information that you can't find anywhere else.  Save money by buying a three month pass!

So, what are you waiting for?  Come join us!  You'll have fun and you'll learn first hand about the 20th Century History of Southern Nevada!

http://www.springspreserve.org/html/visit_events_labordaysale.html

and click on Events Calendar.

If you missed me on KNPR with John L. Smith yesterday morning, you can listen to the interview here:

http://knpr.org/son/archive/detail.cfm?ProgramID=1710

scroll down to Postcard History and click on Listen or download the MP3.

Let me know what you think!

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!

Want to know more fun historical facts and see historical images of many of the places on our "10 Fun Things to Do in Las Vegas" (as well as the history of the Strip and Neon Signs) then follow this link:

Las Vegas: 1905-1965

and purchase your autographed copy today!

For information on our upcoming Mid-Century Modern Salute to Walter Zick, click here

I'm tired of reading articles in papers like the Los Angeles Times (a paper that I used to love and is now barely on life-support) about all the things to do in Las Vegas.  Why?  Because they all revolve around gambling and shows.

Las Vegas is much more than just gambling, drinking and going to shows.  There is a whole side of the town that visitors and even locals rarely take the time to see.

So, we thought we'd list ten of our favorite things to do in and around Las Vegas that DON'T involve gambling or taking in a show.  Drinking afterwards is optional.  Just don't drive.

10.  Visit Boulder City.  The Best Dam town likes to bill itself as "A World Away in a Day".  Visiting Boulder City is like walking back in time.  There are no casinos and they are very stringent about building heights and growth.  Much of Boulder City looks like it did in the 1940s and the 1950s. 

Stop in at Milo's for sandwiches, cheese platters, dessert and some of the best wines (reasonably priced) in the Valley.  Since Dennis moved into town we don't haunt Milo's the way we used to but you have no excuse. 

Go, walk around, visit the antique shops, the galleries, the Boulder Dam Hotel and Museum (call ahead and make sure the Museum is open) and finish off your day with bite to eat at Milo's. Enjoy the patio dining and the people watching.   It's worth the trip.  Check and see if there are any events at the Boulder Theater (the fall Chatauqua might be coming).

9. Visit the Valley of Fire.  Everyone always talks about Red Rock Canyon on the other side of the Valley.  But this is one of the most amazing places in the Southwest.  Wonderful red rock formations, lots of history and landscape just made for taking pictures.  It's a State Park located not very far from Boulder City and on the way to Lake Mead.  It is Nevada's oldest and largest State Park, having been dedicated in 1935.  Ancient trees and early man are represented throughout the park by areas of petrified wood and 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyph. Popular activities include camping, hiking, picnicking and photography. The park offers a full-scale visitor center with extensive interpretive displays. Several group use areas are also available. The park is open all year.  Take plenty of drinking water and wear shoes made for hiking.

8.  Visit St. Thomas.  This Mormon farming community was a thriving little town until the construction of the Dam heralded it's demise.  The town was evacuated in the mid-1930s and the rising waters of Lake Mead submerged homes, civic buildings and the like.  The water in Lake Mead has shrunk so low that for the past few years the ruins of St. Thomas have been rising up.  Well, they are all on view now.  The Park Service has trails that lead down to the various ruins.  Take plenty of drinking water and wear hiking shoes.  It's a great way to spend a half a day examining the ruins.  On the way back, stop in Overton and take in the Lost City Museum.

7.  Visit the Techatticup Mine.  Down in Nelson, you can tour one of the most famous mines in Southern Nevada, the Techatticup.It's the oldest, richest and most famous gold mine in Southern Nevada. Located just 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas, they provide historical mining tours and scenic blue water cove trips on the Colorado River at the mouth of Black Canyon below Hoover Dam. You will visit historical sites where steamboats docked and stamp mills operated over 100 years ago.  Stop in at the small museum and soak up history.  Take plenty of drinking water and wear hiking shoes!

6.  Check out the wonderful Roadside Motels on East Fremont Street.  It may not look like the best neighborhood but it is filled with lots of history.  This is one of the largest collections of roadside motels from the 1940s and 1950s still standing.  From the Pair-a-Dice and the Blue Angel just past the turn from Boulder Highway all the way up to where the Ambassador East used to stand, you'll get an idea of what travelers to Las Vegas saw when they first arrived from Arizona and Utah.  Back in the day, this was the gateway to Fremont Street for many weary travelers.

5.  Visit the Nevada State Museum in Lorenzi Park.  Lorenzi Park has plenty of history all on its own but the State Museum being there is an extra bonus.  Due to state budget cuts, the Museum is only open from Wednesdays through Saturdays, 9:00 - 5:00 pm, but they have exhibits on the wildlife of Nevada, the history of Las Vegas (including the early days), a bat exhibit and a revolving exhibit.  Plus, the library has plenty of newspapers on microfiche for easy browsing.  The staff is great and eager to help.

4.  Visit the Las Vegas High School Historic Neighborhood.  Las Vegas High School, now the Performing Arts Academy, is the oldest high school in Las Vegas.  Built in the 1930s, it was the first high school built.  Located on 8th Street, just south of Fremont Street, it still stands as a testiment to the hardy families who helped Las Vegas grow.  Be sure to check out the Senior Squares on the front steps. Though the neighborhood is on the Historic Register, many of the houses which were lived in by those pioneering families are being torn down and McOffices are taking their place.  But you can still get a very good idea of the bucolic neighborhood it once was with it's charming architecture and manicured lawns.  Walking tour maps are available from the City website.  When finished, drive over to the Fifth Street School at Las Vegas Blvd South and Lewis, and tour the restored building of what was once our main grammar school.

3.  Visit the other historic neighborhoods around Las Vegas.  As Las Vegas began to grow, the city started spreading out.  Historic neighborhoods such as Huntridge, Marycrest, Alta, Bonanza Village, Beverly Green, Paradise Palms and John S. Parks all offer glimpes into the growth from a dusty railroad town to the Entertainment Capital of the World.

2.  Walk Fremont Street.  Forget the gambling and the girlie places.  Fremont Street is the oldest street in Las Vegas.  Read our Brief History (click on the link above) to get started.  From Main to 6th Street, if you look close enough you can still find glimpses of its historic past peeking out in the darndest places.  So, take a walk down to the El Cortez and back and pay attention to the buildings.  You'll be surprised at what you find.  Afterwards, go to Dona Maria's for some of the best and most reasonably priced Mexican food in Very Vintage Vegas!

1.  Start attending our monthly series, Untold Stories at the Springs Preserve.  We are beginning our third season at the Springs Preserve next week.  This is the only series that each month brings long-time residents out to talk about the history they made and that they witnessed.  Want to know more about the history of Las Vegas?  Then join us the first Thursday of every month (dark in January) and hear how history was made here from the people who lived it.  Upcoming topics include Mining in Southern Nevada, the History of the Moulin Rouge, Howard Hughes and Las Vegas and Las Vegas History You Don't Know.

First Thursday of Every Month at the Springs Preserve.  6:30 pm.  Come early and check out the museums, the hiking trails and the view.  The Springs is where Las Vegas began.  Without it's flowing water, no one would remember Las Vegas today.  So, come immerse yourself in history.  It won't hurt and you'll be surprised at how much you learn and how enjoyable history can be to learn!