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Stearns, Sam
Sam Stearns was an owner-operator of several casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1935 he bought the Meadows Club on Boulder Highway with his brother Dave Stearns and Larry Potter. By 1941, the Stearns brothers also operated the Northern Club in downtown Las Vegas, which Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel invested $18,000 in.
Gragg, Larry D. Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel: The Gangster, the Flamingo, and the Making of Modern Las Vegas. Santa Barbara: Praeger, 2015.
Person
Charles F. Sells oral history interview
Oral history interview with Charles F. Sells conducted by Noble B. Young on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sells describes his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sells discusses how Las Vegas has changed, the jobs he has held, and the death of his wife. Sells also discusses his enjoyment of going out with his wife to gamble at the casinos when he was younger, meeting Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, playing in a local softball team, and his business, an industrial laundry cleaning plant.
Archival Collection
Stearns, Dave
Dave Stearns was a gambler and entrepreneur who owned and operated several casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1935 he bought the Meadows Club on Boulder Highway with his brother Sam Stearns and Larry Potter. By 1941, the Stearns brothers also operated the Northern Club in downtown Las Vegas, which Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel invested $18,000 in.
Gragg, Larry D. Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel: The Gangster, the Flamingo, and the Making of Modern Las Vegas. Santa Barbara: Praeger, 2015.
Person
Rose and Librado Ramos Jr. oral history interview
Oral history interview with Rose and Librado Ramos, Jr. conducted by Robert S. Clark on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Rose and Librado Ramos begin by discussing Rose's father who immigrated from Mexico to Nevada to work for the Union Pacific Railroad. They describe life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s, how the city has changed and grown, and nuclear weapons testing. The two also discuss the history of Nellis Air Force Base, the killing of Bugsy Siegel, how the casinos used to treat their customers, and the economic impact gaming and tourism have on Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Audio clip from interview with Milton I. Schwartz by Claytee White, May 4, 2004
Part of an interview with Milton I. Schwartz on May 4, 2004. In this clip, Schwartz discusses his life after the military and working in Las Vegas.
Sound
Nadine Tobin oral history interview
Oral history interview with Nadine Tobin conducted by Pamella Perry on February 10, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tobin discusses her personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Tobin describes moving to Las Vegas as a child in 1941, life in the city, and how the city has changed and grown. Tobin then talks about the arrival of Bugsy Siegel; new casinos in Las Vegas; and the El Dorado Ranch, a divorce ranch. She goes on to discuss her career as a photograph lab technician, how photographs were developed, new printing technology, and printing photographs for the Atomic Energy Commission and Nevada Highway Patrol. Lastly, she discusses her recreation activities and the Helldorado Parade.
Archival Collection
A&E special "American Justice: Vegas and the Mob": video, approximately 2000 to 2009
Produced by A&E. Las Vegas existed before the mob came to town but not in any way that would be familiar to the millions of people who flock to the city today. It took the vision of legendary mobster Bugsy Siegel to start the transformation of Vegas and his monumental Flamingo Hotel became the anchor of "the strip." Follow the influence of the mob in Vegas from Siegel through the "Strawman Trials" which today's gaming giants claim marked the end of mob influence in Vegas. See how Jimmy Hoffa worked with the mob to help buildthe heart of Vegas while attracting the attention of J. Edgar Hoover and how the arrival of Howard Hughes began the remarkable transformation of Vegas into a "family" entertainment center. Trace the story of legendary front-man Allen Glick the basis for the hit movie Casino and meet mob lawyers, Nevada officials, gambling moguls and entertainers who reveal the hidden history of Vegas. From the Flamingo to the Luxor, this is the complete story of how the mob exploited legal gambling to make billions of dollars. Original media VHS, color, aspect ratio 4 x 3, frame size 720 x 486.
Collection Name: Stardust Resort and Casino Records
Box/Folder: Digital File 00, Box 021
Archival Component
Transcript of interview with Herbert & Erma Holtam by Marc Hechter, February 7, 1976
On February 7, 1976, collector, Marc Hechter interviewed Herbert and Erma Holtam in the collector’s home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers the history of the early Las Vegas Valley area. The discussion includes an in-depth overview of the Helldorado Parade and Helldorado Village. The building of the hotels on the Strip, homesteading, and local housing developments, are also discussed.
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