Blog - Historic Las Vegas Sites

On Tuesday, Nov. 20th, the County Commissioners held their weekly meeting. On the agenda was an item supporting the preservation of Frazier Hall. In attendance were Regent Mark Alden, Regent Thalia Dondero, Josh Geidel of the Atomic Age Alliance, Brian "Paco" Alvarez, Friends of Classic Las Vegas president Ben Litvinoff, Mary Joy Alderman, Pam Kowalski and me.

It was a long morning waiting for the agenda item to come up. When it finally did, Regent Alden talked about the importance of saving the Hall, Regent Dondero talked about the importance of Maude Frazier and Josh Geidel talked about the need to preserve the history of UNLV. Mary Joy Alderman spoke on behalf of Friends of Classic Las Vegas about the need to stop destroying our history.

Commissioners Chris G and Tom Collins spoke in favor of supporting the preservation of Frazier Hall. Commissioner Chip Maxfield was concerned about the Commission overstepping its bounds with UNLV. Commissioner Rory Reid called for a vote. Maxfield was the only nay vote and the agenda item was carried through.

This is going to be one of the big preservation issues going into 2008. The Friends of Classic Las Vegas are joining with the Atomic Age Alliance to help save Maude's building.

Here is the latest info concerning the rally being held on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 28th at UNLV:

Atomic Age Alliance co-hosts “Save Maude’s Hall” Rally with the Anthropology Society of UNLV in support of the preservation of Maude Frazier Hall, the first building ever built on the UNLV campus.

UNLV History to be Demolished and Re-written

The first classes at UNLV were held here in Maude Frazier Hall on September 10, 1957. It is one of Midtown’s most historic buildings. As the university focuses on the next 50 years, this building is slated for potential demolition within the coming year. On November 29 and 30th the Board of Regents will discuss this decision, whether they will turn their backs on their history and identity, or celebrate this building as a bridge representing the last 50 years of educational growth in Southern Nevada, and as a gateway to the future of UNLV and Midtown redevelopment.

Named for a Female Pioneer of Nevada

Frazier Hall is a testament to a pioneering spirit that few in the history of Nevada have possessed. The individual for whom it is named, Maude Frazier, was responsible for bringing educational facilities of Southern Nevada into the 20th and now 21st centuries. From her ground breaking efforts in the procurement of funds to build Las Vegas High School, to her equally impressive work

persuading the State of Nevada to provide funds for a fledgling university, Maude Frazier’s work is the foundation upon which a substantial portion of Southern Nevada’s educational past, present and future is built. In addition to being a champion of education, Maude Frazier was also a state assembly person and the first female Lieutenant Governor of Nevada. The edifices constructed to celebrate individuals are touchstones by which inspirational spirits may be remembered. Rather then tear down the original and affix Maude’s name to a new irrelevant structure, Maude Frazier Hall should become part of the new master Mid Town plan and saved for the enrichment of generations to come.

The Rally

The “Save Maude’s Hall” rally will bring together student, fans of architecture, alumni and others who care deeply about this important piece of Las Vegas and Clark County history. Special guest speakers will be announced. It will be held from 11:30 to 12:20 making it a convenient lunchtime activity for students and working professionals alike. Local award winning pizzeria, Metro Pizza, has donated pizza for the first rally attendees who arrive.

We hope to see you there!