On all multiple regular priced items after the first, you will receive a 10% discount.
Postage will be combined and refund granted if saved.
LAS VEGAS BEFORE NEON
By Harvey Hardy
Folks, permit me a remembrance. I had come out of the Marines in World War II. - ready to graduate on the GI Bill from SMU. Our first baby was due and the “doc” said we shouldn’t travel but the call of the wild was stronger. We had one chance for a trip. I had bought a Nash Ambassador which made into a bed so we took off – sleeping in the car cause the money had to be saved for gambling. I knew I could win. Del Mar was open. We slept in the car on the beach and showered in a trailer park.
My uncle came down from Los Angeles. When I bet a hundred across he nearly fainted, when I collected he gave me his money to bet. Won a ton – enough to make Las Vegas on the return and stay at the Flamingo. Rolled dice with the great and the hoodlums It was a new day in gambling – the forerunner of
LAS VEGAS BEFORE NEON
Well, I was there in 1951 but this is a history from the old days in 1905 when the Squire’s Big Tent Hotel on Freemont Street was the big attraction. Of course, there was the “Sideboard Bar” and the “Nevada Club” of Block 16 until the new “Arizona Club” was built in 1908 and ran wide open – never closing. The games of faro, couletgte, craps, blackjack and poker were operating with their attendant dealers, shills, patrons and bouncers. Of course, the author describes the back rooms where the girls were and all of that but he also talks of walking twelve miles to catch the train out of Las Vegas and speaks fondly of –
“Those happy highways where I went and cannot come again.”
Please read this. There were many a western story published – the common ones are listed on Ebay every day but the rarer ones like this one are seldom found. Collectors treasure them and their price guide value rises every day. They are hard to find. I hunt them out cause really the better, untold and rarer stories were published in the rest.
Here’s one of ‘em.
Following my retirement, I have dedicated my remaining hours to indexing the Genealogy of our western pioneers. During my research, I discovered that thousands of our kinfolk lay unfound and unrecognized on some book dealer’s shelf gathering dust. Because Old Western History and Memorabilia was printed before computer indexing, I index every item I sell.
This complete index will be bound and included in this offering at no additional cost.
Humbly, I am trying to keep our history alive.
I hope you appreciate the effort.
LAS VEGAS BEFORE NEON
By Harvey Hardy
ANCESTORS INDEXED HEREIN, CIRCA 1904 – 1916
ANCESTOR’S LOCATION: NEVADA
CLARK, William A., Senator from Montana
GAY, Sam, Sheriff of Clark County *
GRIFFITH, Mr., Owner of Hardware Store
HARDY, Harvey, Author
HINKLEY, Harry
JACKSON, Henry, Bartender *
LAKE, Cliff *
McINTOSH, J. O., Owner of Arizona Club *
YOUNT, Sam, Goodsprings, Nevada
Picture 1: J. O. McIntosh, owner of the Arizona Club, along with Sheriff Sam Gay of Clark County (1908) *
Picture 2: Squire’s Big Tent Hotel, located at Main and Fremont, in 1905. *
Picture 3: The “dining room” of Squire’s Big Tent Hotel about 1905. *
Picture. 4: Las Vegas, Nevada in 1909. *
Picture 5: The “Sideboard Bar,” Henry Jackson, bartender, Cliff Lake at end of bar. *
Picture 6: Sam Gay, Sheriff of Clark County, in 1905. *
Picture 7: Goodsprings, Nevada prior to 1916. *
Picture 8: A portion of “Block 16” in 1908. *
Picture 9: Fremont Street in 1905. *
Picture 10: The new Arizona Club built in 1908. *
Picture 11: Interior of Arizona Club. *
PLACES AND THINGS PROMINENTLY MENTIONED w * INDICATING PICTURE:
Arizona Club, Las Vegas, Nevada *
Block 16, Las Vegas, Nevada *
Boston, Massachusetts
Caliente, Nevada
Clark County, Nevada
Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada *
Goodsprings, Nevada *
Jean, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada *
McWilliam’s Town, Nevada
Meadow Valley Wash
Salt Lake City, Utah
Squire’s Big Tent Hotel *
Union Pacific Railroad
HISTORY OF LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
OLD LAS VEGAS MEMORABILIA IS RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING
While others clip ads from magazines, I save history. It’s a shame that our past is being lost. It’s as simple as that.
What a story, Rare Story!!! Great Pictures. You will love it as it was published in this old complete western magazine of many years ago. The issue is in excellent condition, the cover is pristine and in vibrant color.
As clearly stated in my description, this is featured story in a rarely found and seldom read unusual and complete western magazine. I don't give out name of publication or date because I have caught competitors copying my index and work and trying to sell it as theirs. I hope you understand.