Joel Rosales, preserving our history through photographs  Photo courtesy of Joel Rosales — Joel Rosales, preserving our history through photographs Photo courtesy of Joel Rosales

Preservation Spotlight: Joel Rosales, photographer

May 27, 2014

Today we shine our Preservation Spotlight on Joel Rosales. While you may not know Joel's name, chances are you are familiar with his photographs. For over ten years now, Joel has been documenting the changing landscape of Las Vegas and the surrounding Valley. From hotel demolitions to neon signage to historic neighborhoods, Joel has been photographing it.

Another native son, Joel has a keen interest in our history and our past. Through his original website, LeavingLV.net and now LostandFoundVegas.com, Joel has been sharing his photographs, memorabilia and photo collections with the world.

I met Joel back around 2005-2006 when I began hosting panel discussions at the Nevada State Museum and have been a big fan of his work ever since. His dedication to documenting our history often means he is up before dawn heading to yet another location that will become a place that isn't there anymore but will live on in his photographs.

Joel was more than happy to answer a few questions and share his thoughts on the City, its history and his passion for preserving it.

CLV Blog: How did you become interested in Las Vegas history?

Rosales: Having been born and raised here I never really understood what Las Vegas really was to the world. As I watched movies and read books that are much older than I am, I began to realize what a unique and storied history we have right here in my very own home town and began seeking out the places I'd seen and read about. When the realization came that most of these places are long gone, I began delve much deeper into their stories and made myself

Brian "Paco" Alvarez, writer, historian, preservation, art fanatic  Photo courtesy of the Mob Museum — Brian "Paco" Alvarez, writer, historian, preservation, art fanatic Photo courtesy of the Mob Museum

Preservation Spotlight: Brian "Paco" Alvarez

May 26, 2014

Brian "Paco" Alvarez is one of those guys that everyone seems to know. Mention his name to a group of people, and the chances are pretty good that someone in the group knows Paco. Paco is a native son, born and raised. He has lived Downtown for many years and has been extolling the advantages of Downtown life and the history of Downtown for twice as long. He has worked at the the Liberace Foundation, the City of Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs, the Neon Museum, the Las Vegas News Bureau and now is working at Zappos .

He has curated various exhibits on the history of Las Vegas, can be found at gallery openings, museum galas and all around town where ever history and preservation are being discussed.

Despite his busy schedule, he carved out some time to talk about two of his favorite subjects- history and preservation in Las Vegas.

CLV Blog: How did you become interested in Las Vegas history?

Alvarez: I have always loved history and have been fascinated for what came before. Though I will be honest I never thought that I would follow a career in the field. My degree is in Anthropology with an emphasis in Museum Studies so it was natural for me to go into the museum field and work more on the technical side of the field. But it was in the museum world that solidified my penchant for history

Preservation Spotlight: Dr. Michael Green, historian

May 23, 2014

I've been friends with Dr. Michael Green since the beginning of the Classic Las Vegas project back in 2003. Over the years, he has been my go-to resource when I have questions about Las Vegas history. Though we both were growing up in Las Vegas at roughly the same time (back in the day as they say), our paths didn't cross until many years later.

Dr. Mike teaches Southern Nevada history at the College of Southern Nevada. You may also know him through his writing. He is often asked by various media outlets to write about Las Vegas then and now. He also writes the wonderful Nevada Yesterdays series for K-NPR. He has a passion for politics as well. He conducted the published oral history of lawyer Ralph Denton, A Liberal Conscience: Ralph Denton, Nevadan, and co-wrote (with fellow historian and author, Eugene Moehring) Las Vegas: A Centennial History.

Preservationists and historians work together to save our history and I wanted to spotlight a few of them in this series as well.

I had a great time talking with Dr. Mike and appreciate that he was able to fit me into his busy schedule!

CLV Blog: How did you become interested in Southern Nevada history and what spurred you to become a teacher?

Green: I didn’t decide to become a history professor until my junior year in college. I had been a reporter at The Valley Times while going to UNLV and majoring in history, and when the paper closed, I decided I wanted to pursue something different. But I had had a lot of teachers I liked and respected, and I think it always was in the back of my head that teaching would be a great thing to do. As for what I study and why southern Nevada’s history matters to me, I can blame a few people and events.

My dad was a dealer at the Stardust and personally fired by (Frank) Lefty Rosenthal, and then at The Valley Times I had more encounters with the people who thought they ruled the town; I think this quasi-connection made me want to know more about how things became the way they were here. Being a reporter made me realize that so much of what was happening flowed from what had happened.

Dennis McBride and Me at Frankie's Tiki Room, Dec. 2008

Preservation Spotlight: Dennis McBride

May 20, 2014

Today's Preservation Spotlight is on Dennis McBride, Executive Director of the Nevada Statte Museum, Las Vegas and longtime Las Vegas Valley historian.

I've been good friends with Dennis since we first met over ten years ago. He was one of the main inspirations behind my getting interested in preserving 20th Century Las Vegas history. His oral histories with the men who worked on the building of Boulder/Hoover Dam and the women who helped build Boulder City into more than just a Federal reservation were key to inspiring me. His pioneering work at the Boulder Dam Museum as well as his work in chronicling the history of the Gay and Lesbian movement in the Las Vegas Valley serve as inspirations to us all.

Today, Dennis helps preserve Las Vegas history at the State Museum and has a deep interest in the Photography collection there. Just a few years ago, he cataloged the J. Florian Mitchell collection that includes some wonderful images of mid-century modern Las Vegas.

We sat down with Dennis and talked about preservation and history in Las Vegas:

CLV Blog: How did you become interested in preserving Southern Nevada history?

McBride: Saving things, preserving things, collecting and organizing things is a significant part of my nature. I’ve been doing it since I was a child

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