Guide to the Bill Willard Photograph Collection

Transcription

1 This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on May 24, English 2016 The Regents of the University of Nevada. All rights reserved. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. University Libraries. Special Collections Division. Box S. Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, Nevada (702)

2 Table of Contents Summary Information... 3 Biographical Note... 3 Scope and Contents Note... 4 Arrangement... 5 Administrative Information... 5 Related Materials... 6 Controlled Access Headings... 6 Collection Inventory... 6 Las Vegas, Nevada hotels and casinos photographs... 6 Las Vegas Valley photographs Laughlin, Nevada photographs Page 2 -

3 Summary Information Repository: Creator: Title: ID: University of Nevada, Las Vegas. University Libraries. Special Collections Division. Willard, Bill Bill Willard Photograph Collection PH Date [inclusive]: , Physical Description: Physical Description: Language of the Material: Abstract: Preferred Citation 0.6 Linear Feet 6 hanging files and 1 shared box of negatives 0.67 Cubic Feet 6 hanging files and 1 shared box of negatives English The Bill Willard Photograph Collection depicts Las Vegas, Nevada, hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Valley, and Laughlin, Nevada from 1905 to 1919 and from 1940 to The photographs primarily depict hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, including the Sahara Hotel, Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Caesars Palace, Flamingo Hotel, and the Aladdin Hotel. The photographs also depict students at Nevada Southern University (predecessor of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas), the city of Las Vegas, industrial plants in Henderson and Apex, Nevada, and events in Laughlin, Nevada. Bill Willard Photograph Collection, , PH Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. Biographical Note Writer, actor, and producer Bill Willard was born in Terre Haute, Indiana in He followed his father into the arts and began studying theater and art in During the Second World War, Willard was drafted into the U.S. Army, and he worked at Torney General Hospital in Palm Springs and Birmingham Hospital in Van Nuys, both in California. During his tour of duty, he produced radio shows broadcasted - Page 3-

4 by the Armed Forces Radio Network. He was discharged in 1946, but he continued working for the Armed Forces Radio Network until 1949, when he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to produce a radio show for the Last Frontier Hotel. Although his first radio show was never launched, Willard stayed in Las Vegas rather than returning to Hollywood, California. He produced shows for Las Vegas radio stations KENO and KRAM, and he became the entertainment editor for the Las Vegas Sun. In 1949 the Thunderbird Hotel hired Willard to write and direct the Branding Iron revue. He also performed in the Birdcage Theatre at the Last Frontier Village, and he became a regular performer with Hank Henry. During the 1950s, he performed at several venues, and eventually he started his own public relations agency, Public Relation Advertising (PRA). In 1966 he briefly suspended his agency while he worked as the executive director of the Nevada State Council on the Arts, and he returned to the PRA in In addition to his work as an agent and producer, Willard remained active as a performer as well. He was the co-anchor of the nightly news on KSHO TV, a contributor to KLAS TV, and he co-starred in plays at the Meadows Playhouse in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1983 he became the entertainment critic of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In 1989 he became Director of the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Willard died in Sources: Bill and Lucy Willard, Arnold Shaw Center. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. willard.html Scope and Contents Note The Bill Willard Photograph Collection depicts Las Vegas, Nevada, hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Valley, and Laughlin, Nevada from 1905 to 1919 and from 1940 to The photographs primarily depict hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, including the Sahara Hotel, Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Caesars Palace, Flamingo Hotel, and the Aladdin Hotel. The photographs also depict students at Nevada Southern University (predecessor of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas), the city of Las Vegas, industrial plants in Henderson and Apex, Nevada, and events in Laughlin, Nevada. The items described include photographic prints and negatives; items listed are photographic prints unless otherwise specified. - Page 4-

5 Arrangement Materials have been arranged into three series: Series I. Las Vegas, Nevada hotels and casinos photographs, ; Series II. Las Vegas Valley photographs, and ; Series III. Laughlin, Nevada photographs, Administrative Information Access The collection is open for research. Portions of this collection have been digitized and are available online. Publication Rights Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish. Acquisition Note Materials were donated in 2001 by Bill Willard via Ken Hanlon; accession number Processing Note Materials were processed by Special Collections staff. In 2016, as part of a legacy finding aid conversion project, Lindsay Oden wrote the collection description in compliance with current professional standards. - Page 5-

6 Related Materials Related Materials The following resources may provide additional information related to the materials in this collection: Bill Willard Collection, MS Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. Willard, Bill. Interview, July 18, Oral History Research Center, Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. Controlled Access Headings photographs Las Vegas (Nev.) Laughlin (Nev.) Hotels Casinos Willard, Bill Collection Inventory Las Vegas, Nevada hotels and casinos photographs, Physical Description: 0.5 Linear Feet 6 hanging folders and 1 shared box of negatives Scope and Contents Note The Las Vegas, Nevada hotels and casinos photographs depict hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1940 to The photographs primarily depict the Sahara Hotel, Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Caesars Palace, Flamingo Hotel, and Aladdin Hotel. The items described include photographic prints and negatives; items listed are photographic prints unless otherwise specified. Arrangement Materials remain in original order. Title/Description Construction of a new tower at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1963 March 21 - Page 6- Containers

7 Construction of a new tower at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1963 March 21 Construction of a new tower at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1963 March 21 Construction of a new tower at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1963 March Construction of a new tower at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1963 March Construction of a new tower at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1963 March Aerial view of the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1963 March Construction worker outside of the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1963 March Construction workers outside of the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1963 March Construction on the Landmark Hotel tower, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1968 Folder 02 Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1986 Folder 02 MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 02 MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino and the Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Southeast entrance of the MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 02 Folder 02 MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 02 Circus Circus Hotel and Casino marquee, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 02 Bon Vivant Restaurant, Circus Circus, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 03 Aerial view of the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1974 Folder 03 Construction on Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1965 Folder 03 Artist's rendering of the Desert Inn and Country Club facade, approximately 1978 Folder 03 Mamchen's Deli-Tavern, Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 03 Keno lounge in the Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 03 Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1966 Folder 03 Aerial view of the Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 03 Aerial view of Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1964 Folder 03 Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1975 Folder 03 Guest room in the Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1974 Folder 03 Robatayaki Restaurant, Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1974 Folder 03 Market Plaza coffee shop, Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1974 Folder 03 Vestal Virgin Room, Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1974 Folder 03 - Page 7-

8 Construction on the Aladdin Hotel Theatre for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1976 February 28 Floating craps table in the Sands Hotel swimming pool, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 03 Folder 03 Club Bingo neon sign, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 03 Helicopter delivering a dinosaur statue to the Tropicana Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1986 Folder 03 Blinko the Clown in front of Circus Circus, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 03 Woman at the swimming pool at the Landmark Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 03 Landmark Hotel tower and porte cochere, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 03 Flamingo Hilton Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 03 Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1946 Folder 03 Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Folder 03 Flamingo Hotel swimming pool, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Nevada Biltmore Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Artist's rendering of the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1992 Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1998 Flamingo Hilton Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately New York New York Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1997 Aerial view of the Flamingo Hotel and Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1947 Flamingo Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Caesars Palace pools, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Christmas party, El Rancho Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1946 Ted Shapiro, Sophie Tucker, and Joe E. Lewis at El Rancho Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, approximately Nate Jacobson and Jimmy Hoffa at the opening of Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1966 August 05 Jimmy Hoffa and guests at an event for the opening of Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1966 August 05 Karen Cardinali and Ned Glassman at the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1975 December 03 - Page 8-

9 Karen Cardinali and Murray Hertz at the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1975 December 03 Karen Cardinali and Lee Fisher at the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1975 December 03 R. G. "Zack" Taylor and Karen Cardinali on the roof of the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1975 December 03 Percy Villa and Karen Cardinali on the roof of the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1975 December 03 Dancer posing in an Egyptian-themed set, Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Performers preparing backstage for the Folies Bergere, Tropicana Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1986 August Negative: gamblers playing roulette, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Box 20 Negative: gamblers playing roulette, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Box 20 June Taylor Dancers posing at the Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately June Taylor Dancers posing at the Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately June Taylor Dancers posing at the Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Lucy Lewin, of the June Taylor Dancers, at the Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Barry Ashton and others during a dance rehearsal at the Startdust Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Tanya the Elephant performing at the Circus Circus Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Tanya the Elephant performing at the Circus Circus Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Construction inside the Forums Shops at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1990 Forums Shops at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1990 Statue in one of the fountains at the Forums Shops at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1990 Statues in the Forums Shops at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1990 Statue in one of the fountains at the Forums Shops at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1990 Statues in the Forums Shops at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1990 Bally's Monorail, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Frank Sinatra at the opening of the Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Page 9-

10 Gamblers at a baccarat table in the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Gamblers at a wheel of fortune game in the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Gamblers at a roulette table in the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Gamblers at a craps table in the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Aladdin Hotel sign and marquee, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Entertainer at the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Bill Willard, Jo Ann Malone, and a woman performing at the Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1954 Balinese dancer Ni Gusti Raka at the Thunderbird Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1952 Balinese dancer Ni Gusti Raka at the Thunderbird Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1952 Advertisement for the Parisienne Follies at the Silver Slipper Saloon, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1953 Las Vegas Valley photographs, , Physical Description: 0.5 Linear Feet 6 hanging folders Scope and Contents Note The Las Vegas Valley photographs depict buildings and people in the Las Vegas Valley in Nevada from 1905 to 1919 and from 1940 to The photographs depict students at Nevada Southern University (predecessor of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas), the city of Las Vegas, and plants in Henderson, Nevada and Apex, Nevada. Arrangement Materials remain in original order. Title/Description Students entering Maude Frazier Hall, University of Nevada, Southern Division, approximately Students outside of the library building, Nevada Southern University, approximately Billboard advertising the Sunset Sands and La Fonda apartments, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Containers Flooding at Clark Avenue underpass, Las Vegas, Nevada, undated Flooding at the intersection of West Charleston Boulevard and Hinson Street, approximately Flood channel in Las Vegas, Nevada, undated - Page 10-

11 Construction on the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1959 Aerial view of Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Aerial view of Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 U.S. Lime Products Corporation plant, Apex, Nevada, approximately 1963 U.S. Lime Products Corporation plant, Apex, Nevada, approximately 1963 U.S. Lime Products Corporation plant, Apex, Nevada, approximately 1963 Gravel hopper at U.S. Lime Products Corporation plant, Apex, Nevada, approximately 1963 Gravel hopper at U.S. Lime Products Corporation plant, Apex, Nevada, approximately 1963 Charleston Plaza shopping center, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Fleur de Lis Apartments, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Aerial view of housing construction in Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Factory interior, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Aerial view of McCarran Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Aerial view of McCarran Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Aerial view of McCarran Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Construction on a pre-fabricated market, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Construction of the roof of a new terminal building, McCarran Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1962 Folder 02 Aerial view of McCarran Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1963 Folder 02 Construction on a new terminal building, McCarran Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1962 Construction on a new terminal building, McCarran Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1962 Folder 02 Folder 02 Aerial view of McCarran Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Aerial view of Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 American Potash and Chemical Corporation, Henderson, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Plants and foundries in Henderson, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Aerial view of the intersection of 25th Street and Owens Avenue, North Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Aerial view of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Aerial view of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1963 Folder 02 Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately 1966 Folder 03 - Page 11-

12 People watching a street entertainer outside of El Cortez Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Group of people watching an entertainer on Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Woman in front of a portrait of R. E. Griffith, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Aerial view of central Las Vegas, Nevada, highlighting the property planned for the International Hotel, approximately Nevada Governor Richard Bryan and others, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Buildings in Block 16, Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Aerial view of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Float in the Helldorado Parade on Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1950 May Float in the Helldorado Parade for Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn on Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1950 May Float in the Helldorado Parade for Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn on Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1950 May Mount Charleston cabins, Nevada, approximately Airplane flying over Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Airplane flying over Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Airplane flying over Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Airplane landing in the desert near Las Vegas, Nevada, approximately Joshua tree in the desert, approximately Joshua tree in the desert, approximately Joshua tree in the desert, approximately Laughlin, Nevada photographs, Physical Description: 0.1 Linear Feet 1 hanging folder Scope and Contents Note The Laughlin, Nevada photographs depict the town of Laughlin, Nevada from 1970 to The photographs primarily depict hotels and casinos, the Laughlin Community Center, and ferries on the Colorado River. The photographs also depict Don Laughlin, the entrepreneur who purchased the land where Laughlin is located. - Page 12-

13 Arrangement Materials remain in original order. Title/Description Containers Nevada Club neon sign, Laughlin, Nevada, approximately Regency Casino, Laughlin, Nevada, approximately 1980 Colorado Belle Casino marquee, Laughlin, Nevada, approximately 1988 Best Western Riverside Casino, Laughlin, Nevada, approximately Ferry boats on the Colorado River between Bullhead City, Arizona and Laughlin, Nevada, approximately Emergency vehicles outside the Laughlin Community Center, Laughlin, Nevada, approximately Remodeling construction on the Riverside Hotel and Casino, Laughlin, Nevada, approximately Woman posing in front of the Edgewater Casino, Laughlin, Nevada, approximately Woman posing by a Laughlin, Nevada welcome sign, approximately Post Office, Laughlin, Nevada, approximately Don Laughlin inside a helicopter, Laughlin, Nevada, approximately Don Laughlin, Laughlin, Nevada, approximately Page 13-