SEPTEMBER 2020

CURBSIDE COLLECTIONS: EXTREME HOMES

Welcome to Curbside Collections: Extreme Homes–A Contactless Driving Tour

Beep! Beep!This guide presents three, drive-yourself adventures covering thirteen feature properties. Each themed adventure presents a unique chapter in the one-of-a-kind story that is Las Vegas.

This program has been adapted for community health and safety. Thanks for your careful attention to community safety and program rules. Enjoy your journey!

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FORMALITIES Welcome to Nevada Preservation Foundation’s annual Home + History Festival! Departing from the usual home tour, this year’s “Curbside Collections: Extreme Homes” presents a contactless drive-yourself adventure, customized for your health and safety. The tour homes showcase a variety of architecture styles and sizes. Some neighborhoods are pristine and well known, while others await resurgence. ALL neighborhoods present a unique chapter in the story of Las Vegas development history and style. HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE: BEFORE you start your journey, take time to carefully plan your tour route!

◆ Download or print this guidebook ▷ The content access link will be available only on Sun., Sept. 13, 2020. Users must print or download the guide for future reference.

◆ Neighborhoods can be toured in any order ◆ Pace yourself

▷ Some participants may wish to complete the tour in one day, while others may wish to experience the content over several afternoons.

◆ Use a map application. ▷ The maps provided in this guidebook will help for general reference. A routing application such as Google Maps or Waze is recommended for providing specific directions to each neighborhood.

SAFETY AND ETIQUETTE: DO:

◆ Put your safety and the safety of others first! ◆ Stay mindful and alert while on the road. ◆ Use your hazards and/or park when necessary ◆ Practice proper social distancing ◆ Wear a face covering ◆ Keep distance between others ◆ Respect the privacy of homeowners

DON’T:

◆ Text and Drive ◆ Idle behind the wheel ◆ Trespass onto private property ◆ Scare the neighbors ◆ No photography of private homes ◆ No loitering

By adhering to these safety and etiquette rules, you safeguard Nevada Preservation Foundation’s growing reputation as a welcome friend and neighbor within Las Vegas residential communities. Nevada Preservation Foundation is committed to the preservation of Nevada’s historic residential architecture and works with local neighborhoods to obtain historic designations. Proceeds from this tour as well as other Home + History events help to fund historic preservation projects throughout the year. Thank you!

WEAR YOUR MASK

DON’T PHOTOGRAPH PRIVATE HOMES

ADMIRE, BUT DON’T CREEP!

DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE

HOME + HISTORY LAS VEGAS

USE A MAP APP

PRINT IT OUT

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The Story of Las VegasThank you for supporting Nevada Preservation with your purchase of Curbside Collections: Extreme Homes. As historic events have shaped our city, so do present-day events impact our programs. Due to COVID 19, our signature Vintage Vegas Home Tour has been postponed.

While we cannot safely offer home interior tours right now, we look forward to exploring the valley’s most extraordinary spaces together again, and hopefully soon. In the meantime, we offer the following self-driven guide of themed curbside adventures.

Public or private, modest, lavish or loud, each property presented in this guide reveals a unique chapter in the story of our city. Properties are presented as curbside tales. In total, there are thirteen properties presented within three adventure themes.

1. OLD SCHOOL ◆ Finney’s Pueblo

▷ A pueblo among Las Vegas’ oldest homes ◆ Stately Smith

▷ A revival mansion ahead of its time ◆ Non-Traditional Bride

▷ She’s more than what she seems ◆ Out of Place

▷ This structure is literally out of place

2. MANSIONS. MOGULS. MOVIES. NOTABLE MANSIONS

◆ Cyril’s Tudor ◆ Hartland 54

MOGULS ◆ Polynesian Palace

MOVIES ◆ Casino House

3. SHOW STOPPERS ◆ Jungle Palace ◆ Thriller Villa ◆ Jerry Lewis House ◆ Casa de Shenandoah ◆ Liberace Mansion

HOME + HISTORY LAS VEGAS

Homes can be toured in any order.

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1. OLD SCHOOLFinney’s Pueblo 522 S. 7th Street

Stately Smith 624 S. 6th Street

Out of Place 861 E. Bridger Avenue

Non-Traditional Bride 231 S. Las Vegas Boulevard

Old School exploration area is approximately 2 square miles.

FINNEY’S PUEBLO 522 S. 7th Street

Our OLD SCHOOL journey of extreme homes begins with Finney’s Pueblo, located in the Las Vegas High School Historic District. Built in 1929, this Pueblo Revival is among the oldest residential structures in Las Vegas. It was built for Assemblyman and Boulder City Postmaster, James Finney.

The home features stucco-over-wood frame construction, clay-tiled roof and detached garage at the rear.

Heralding from the railroad days, the Las Vegas High School Historic District, is the oldest residential neighborhood within Las Vegas. (1928-1941) While many of these homes are now used as law offices, the neighborhood remains relatively intact, providing insight into the homelives of early Vegas pioneers.

Finney’s Pueblo lies in the Wardie Addition. While platted in 1914, it’s interesting that the subdivision remained largely undeveloped until the 1930s, mostly due to difficulty obtaining water rights. Reflecting broader trends, many homes within the Las Vegas High School District are revival styles, as was popular in the 1930s nationwide.

Unifying features of the neighborhood include: grid patterned streets, uniform lot sizes, (some homes occupy several lots) uniform front-yard setbacks, detached garages, and service alleys.

The Las Vegas High School Historic District

The Las Vegas High School Historic District is named for the Las Vegas High School, now known as Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, on 315 S. 7th Street. Built in 1930, the school proved both a symbol of stability for the growing town, and an advantageous selling point for Wardie Addition developers. Building cost for the school totaled $350,000. Today the building is celebrated for its unique Art Deco style and intricate moldings. The Las Vegas High School Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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STATELY SMITH 624 S. 6th Street

Not all revivals are cutesy and quaint. Meet Stately Smith, a 1932 Spanish Colonial Revival ahead of its time! There a several factors that make this structure exceptional: rounded and pointed arches, a turret, and full basement (unusual in Las Vegas). Original interior features included a sunken living room with open truss ceilings, a large tile fireplace and built-in cabinets. In all, the luxurious eight-room residence cost $8,500. It was built for Dr. Jay Dayton Smith, a dentist and beloved civic leader. Dr. Smith and his wife Erline relocated to Las Vegas in 1927. While it may seem a strange location

today, Dr. Smith’s dental practice was located at 1st and Fremont, in the heart of present-day Fremont Street Experience.

With the statewide legalization of gambling in 1931, and nearby Hoover Dam soon to follow, Las Vegas blossomed from a sleepy railroad town into a booming tourist destination. Contemporaries of Dr. Smith witnessed rapid growth and transformation in the surrounding blocks. The Las Vegas High School district- once considered “distant” from town- is now at the very heart of Downtown Las Vegas!

OPTIONAL: The Las Vegas High School Historic District is full with Tudor Revivals, like the 1939 Tudor at 610 South 7th (pictured right). Two main characteristics of the Tudor Revival Style include steeply pitched roofs and decorative half timbering. How many Tudors can you find?

The boundaries of the Las Vegas High School District are as follows: Lewis Ave to the North, Ninth Street to the East, Gass Ave to the South, and 6th Street to the West. 7th Street boasts the widest variety of revival styles.

Dr. Jay Dayton Smith

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NON-TRADITIONAL BRIDE 231 Las Vegas Boulevard South

Look closely and you’ll find this local beauty is more than what she seems! Just west of the Las Vegas High School District lies our Non-Traditional Bride. With nuptials beginning in 1940, Weekirk o’ the Heather is Las Vegas’ oldest continuously operating wedding chapel. But lookbeneath the steeple, gables, and purple trim and you’ll find an even earlier chapter in this structure’s history: the building’s humbler origins as a private residence, built in 1925!

Nevada State Museum records classify the structure as a converted pueblo, pointing towards the severe block-like forms beneath the gables and deeply recessed windows. (Compare to Finney’s Pueblo).

As late as 1943, the chapel went by “Mrs. Webb’s Wedding Chapel” before rebranding with a Scottish theme. By any name, this structure is significant for its age, legacy, location, and dramatic transformations.

Early Las Vegas nuptial services were advertised as convenient ministries for “couples who just can’t wait.” In 1933, Minister J. D. Foster advertised $5 ceremonies complete with corsage and witness, available 24 hours a day from his home. Other home-to-chapel conversions on Las Vegas Boulevard include: The Graceland Wedding Chapel and The Hitching Post (demolished).

POP QUIZ (Answer at bottom)

1. Which of the following factors contributed to Las Vegas becoming the “Wedding Capital of the World?” a) Lack of State Natural Resources b) Creative Nevada Lawmakers and No-Wait Weddings c) Celebrity trendsetters d) All of the above

PICTURED ABOVE: Hitching Post, 226 Las Vegas Blvd South. Demolished 1990s. Location was across the street from Weekirk.

ANSWER: d) All of the above! Decades later, Las Vegas still reigns supreme as the leading destination wedding capital of the world!

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OUT OF PLACE 861 E. Bridger Avenue

The next extreme home on our OLD SCHOOL journey is literally Out of Place. It was originally located at 52 Country Club Drive in the prestigious Desert Inn Country Club Estates overlooking the world-class Desert Inn Golf Course. The Junior League rescued the Morelli House in 2001 when it was set for demolition to make way for Wynn Las Vegas and relocated it to 861 E. Bridger Ave. The house was built in 1959 for Antonio Morelli, then-conductor of the Sands Hotel & Casino Copa Room orchestra.

The Morelli House is listed on three historic registries: The City of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada and the National Register of Historic Places, in

recognition of both its classic mid-century residential architectural design and its place in Las Vegas history. The home was designed by midcentury architect Hugh Taylor. Nevada Preservation Foundation owns and curates the Hugh Taylor archive, which includes more than 5,000 architectural drawings.

The Morelli House preservation project saved a piece of Las Vegas history and stands as a permanent gift for the community to establish its sense of place and share the mid-century legacy that the house represents by offering public opportunities to tour the house, presenting interpretive programs, and creating educational materials related to the house and its history.

The bold, modern look of the Morelli House makes it especially distinctive within this OLD SCHOOL neighborhood. Yet, it is not the neighborhood’s only relocation story.

Pictured right is the 1931 Tudor Revival home of Prosper Goumand. Mr. Goumand was the first gaming license recipient in Las Vegas. He lived in the Las Vegas High School Historic District. In 1984 the home was relocated, in its entirety, to Heritage Street at the Clark County Museum.

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3328 Pawnee Drive is a prime example of what midcentury enthusiasts most love about Paradise Palms. This 1962 home is a Palmer + Krisel Model 7B, owned by comedian Rip Taylor, best known for his wild antics, toupee, and confetti. Paradise Palms was home to many Las Vegas Strip performers.

2. MANSIONS. MOGULS. MOVIES.MANSIONS:Cyril Wengert Mansion 600 E. Charleston Boulevard

Hartland Mansion 1044 S. 6th Street

Mansions are across the street from each other. The surrounding John S. Park exploration area is approximately one square mile.

CYRIL WENGERT MANSION 600 E. Charleston Blvd

Moving south, we head to the Cyril Wengert Mansion, now housing the Zak Bagan’s Haunted Museum. Less ghostly and simply grand, the Cyril Wengert Mansion is exceptional in that it was among the largest homes of its day.

Constructed in 1938, this home was designed by H. Clifford Nordstrom in the Tudor Revival style. It was a four-bedroom, three-bathroom, two-story home that also included a dressing suite, maid’s quarters, large living room, small office, sitting room/library, dining room, kitchen with breakfast nook, and even a small cellar.

The Wengert Mansion itself has maintained much of its historic integrity over the past almost 80 years. The original building has all but one of its original windows, and retains the half timbering, front door, and other features. Some changes have been made to the original home, yet overall, the original portion of the building has generally maintained its historic integrity.

The additions to the building that were made in 1984 and 1987 were in the Tudor Revival style. Like the original home, the additions also include the steeply pitched roofs, modest half timbering, and a matching stucco exterior.

Cyril S. Wengert

Cyril S. Wengert was a prominent banker, public utility manager, and civic leader who helped to turn Las Vegas from a town into a city. A second-generation German American, Wengert moved to Las Vegas with his family when he was seventeen. Later Wengert would have a successful career, working as a banker and an executive for Nevada Power. The surrounding neighborhood, John S. Park, is named for Wengert’s boss, the owner at First State Bank. Cyril Wengert Grave, Woodlawn Cemetery

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HARTLAND MANSION 1044 S. 6th Street

What’s had two homes, survived two fires, and is named for Sin City’s favorite gospel-singing family? The Hartland Mansion, of course!

At nearly 31,000 square feet The Hartland Mansion is the city of Las Vegas’ largest private residence. Located in John S. Park, the origins of Hartland Mansion began as two, smaller 1940s homes. In the 1970s, former owner, millionaire “Candy Man” Lawrence Arvey combined the homes

before being forced out of town due to a sex scandal. In 1980 the home was purchased by evangelical minister and gospel singer, Ms. Toni Hart.

Two fires in 1980 and 1981 destroyed the property. Yet the Hart family rebuilt using Arvey’s general vision. This time however, the plans would be three times larger with Toni’s son, Larry, adding many distinctive and eccentric flourishes! Inside, the property’s most distinctive features include: dual Gone with The Wind staircases, opulent chandeliers, dance floor, and reception hall with indoor swimming pool. The mansion has hosted many celebrity guests, and has been the site of several film projects, most notably Casino with Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone.

While the mansion is no longer owned by the Hart family, it continues as a lavish—and very Vegas—event-rental space.

John S. Park

John S. Park features some of Las Vegas’ oldest homes. Developed between 1931-1951, the neighborhood has a variety of architectural styles: Period Revivals, Minimal Traditionals, and traditional and contemporary ranches.

The neighborhood is named for early Las Vegas resident and banker, John S. Park, who purchased the land with his son William Park in the 1920s. The Park family lived just east of the Cyril Wengert mansion. Unfortunately, the home no longer remains.

To learn even more about John S. Park, check out Nevada Preservation Foundation’s Ranches + Revivals Walking Tour.

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2. MANSIONS. MOGULS. MOVIES.MOGULS:Frank Schivo 1901 S. Beverly Way

FRANK SCHIVO 1901 S. Beverly Way

Welcome to Beverly Green Historic District and this remarkable Polynesian style ranch! Plotted on a double lot, 1901 S. Beverly Way is a grand Polynesian style ranch designed by architect R. J. Jones. This was the home of casino mogul Frank Schivo.

The American Polynesian or Tiki Modern style became popular following World War II and especially popular in 1959, the year Hawaii

became the 50th state. The style began with tiki themed bars, restaurants, and resorts and eventually extended to home design. With Tiki-Modern design, homeowners could enjoy a mini Pacific-inspired paradise, while in the comfort of their own home. (How American!)

Characteristics of this 1962 Polynesian ranch include: wide overhanging eaves, black lava rock, and wide flaring pointed gables, and dramatic roofline and silhouette. Inside, the tropical theme continues, with even more lava rock in the grand entry. Bathrooms are grand, with step-down Mason’s tubs and secret garden views. To the right, large expanses of stone screen in the star pattern shield bedrooms from the harsh sun.

This home features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and over 3000 square feet. The master bed, fit for Las Vegas elite, includes an adjoining grand dressing room.

About Frank Schivo

Frank Schivo grew up in Montana, pumping gasoline at a Meaderville service station and graduating from Butte High School in the early 1940s.

The gaming pioneer, who opened the Club Bingo in 1947 and stayed on as casino manager when the Sahara hotel-casino was built on that site five years later.

Schivo and Alex Shoofey helped open the Sahara in 1952. Shoofey, general manager of the resort, went on to work forthe International Hotel (now the Hilton). Schivo, promoted to vice president in 1961, left the Sahara in 1966.

Club Bingo open as the fourth casino on Highway 91, which is now called the Las Vegas strip, on July 24, 1947. The Sahara Hotel would be built later on the same location in 1952.

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2. MANSIONS. MOGULS. MOVIES.MOVIES:The Casino House Last home on the left. An iconic Las Vegas home immortalized in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 drama “Casino.” This home is a private residence. Do not disturb the homeowners!

THE CASINO HOUSE 3515 Cochise Lane

Glitz, glamor, greens, and fame, The Casino House has it all! As seen on the big screen, this luxurious 1964 residence was featured as the home of Sam “Ace” Rothstein in Casino, starring Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone.

At over 4800 square feet, the home is as large as it is distinctive. Defining exterior features include rock pillars, tar and gravel roof, balcony, and entry marked by manicured shrubs and dramatic iron-work gate.

Sam “Ace” Rothstein’s character was based on Las Vegas mobster Frank Rosenthal. While comparably luxurious, this was not Rosenthal’s actual home. (Rosenthal’s real-life address on Vegas Valley Drive, lies within the gates of The Las Vegas Country Club, thus not available for public viewing.)

The Casino House lies within Paradise Palms, Las Vegas’ most celebrated midcentury modern neighborhood. At large, Paradise Palms includes roughly 1800 homes, spread over 720 acres, with the Las Vegas National Golf Course at its center. Though the neighborhood is best known for its first and largest developers—Irwin Molasky and Merv Adelson of Paradise Homes— the neighborhood also includes custom homes and tract homes by other developers, including California-based builder, Americana Homes. (see below).

Within the island formed by Cochise Way, Tioga Way and Geronimo Way, lies the Americana Series section of Paradise Palms. These homes were developed in 1963 and were designed by architect William M. Bray. Americana homes were available in five different floor plans with 15 different elevations in the contemporary ranch style. Original sale brochures depict 3- to 5-bedroom homes with large floorplans, two car garage, covered terraces. In 1963, a swimming pool was included in the financed purchase price! Look for long and low horizontal facades with gabled and hipped roofs, wood shingles, large street facing windows accented with shutters, decorative screen block or stone veneer, wood siding, and masonry chimneys.

ADMIRE, BUT DON’T CREEP!

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3. SHOW STOPPERS

NORTH:Jungle Palace 1639 Valley Drive

Thriller Villa 2710 Palomino Lane

Jerry Lewis Residence 1701 Waldman Avenue

Playing nightly, glowing Boulevard marquees donned entertainment’s biggest names. Not far from the hustle and bustle, quiet Las Vegas neighborhoods provided home and respite to the stars.

Though Las Vegas has several gated communities, a surprising number of celebrity homes can be viewed from public streets…Yet, these homes are anything but common! Today’s Show Stopping journey, explores five celebrity homes. Follow the guide to discover:

◆ Whose mansion is literally two homes made into one? ◆ Which star-studded estate includes an equestrian swimming pool? ◆ Which complex boasts its own chapel, recording studio and underground tunnel?

Becoming the Entertainment Capital

Building on the gaming traditions of Fremont, early Las Vegas Strip properties utilized large lots to create sprawling resorts with spacious showrooms. As each resort sought to out-do its neighbor, its performers succeeded in bringing Las Vegas entertainment to greater and greater heights (sometimes literally!). From lounge act to showroom, Las Vegas stuntmen, showgirls, crooners, comedians and magicians joined to make Las Vegas the Entertainment Capital of the World!

Siegfried Fischbacher + Roy Horn

Michael Jackson Jerry Lewis Wayne Newton

Liberace

SOUTH:Casa de Shenandoah 6629 S. Pecos Road Best view: Intersection of Smoke Tree + Pecos

Liberace Mansion 4982 Shirley Street

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JUNGLE PALACE 1639 Valley Drive

YEAR BUILT:Earliest structures within this property date to 1954, with extensive remodels in the 1980s.

SQUARE FOOTAGE:Multiple structures featuring over 10,000 square feet of living space

NEIGHBORHOOD: Eastland Heights

About the Neighborhood

Surrounding Jungle Palace is Eastland Heights. Named for its founder, Van Eastland, the neighborhood is a World War II era subdivision, developed between 1941-1959.

Las Vegas Municipal Golf Course

Just south of Eastland Heights is the Las Vegas Municipal Golf Course, the oldest golf course in Clark County. The course was designed in 1938 by William P. Bell.

In 1980, illusionists Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn purchased the first property of what would later become Jungle Palace. In stark contrast to the surrounding neighborhood, the duo reimagined their complex as a Moorish-inspired mansion, combining multiple properties into one large complex of interconnected homes.

Exterior features borrow from multiple revival styles. Distinctive characteristics include: white, smooth-coat stucco, grand entry, bell tower, terra cotta roof, exposed rafter tails, and lengthy rows of arched terraces and arcades. Gold, monogramed gates and lion statuettes mark the complex walls. (Note the S + R for Sigfried and Roy.) At one time the complex accommodated fifteen white tigers and exotic birds.

In addition to a menagerie of big cats, the pair also collected fine art, furnishings, and priceless antiquities. Similar to Liberace Mansion, Jungle Palace also included a Sistine Chapel inspired ceiling.

Siegfried and Roy met on a cruise ship in 1959. With Sigfried’s illusions and Roy’s experience with animals, together the two forged an act, performing internationally until their arrival in Las Vegas in 1967. Because headlining magicians were unprecedented at the time, the duo performed as filler acts between showgirls until finally earning their own show at The Stardust in 1977, and in 1980 their act moved to the Frontier. In 1988 the duo solidified their status as entertainment legends as headliner’s at Steve Wynn’s Mirage.

While some celebrity homes have been made public, Jungle Palace remains private. Roy Horn passed away in May 2020.

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THRILLER VILLA 2710 Palomino Lane

YEAR BUILT: 1952

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 24,000!!!

NEIGHBORHOOD: Pinto Palomino

An extravagant, reimagined Hacienda contains memorabilia from both Michael Jackson and Liberace.

About the Neighborhood

Thriller Villa is located within Pinto Palomino neighborhood. Immediately to the west of the Las Vegas medical district, Pinto Palomino features mature landscaping and a variety of regal custom homes. Lot sizes are immense, ranging from three-quarters to one-and-a-half acre lots, which were intended for horses. Appropriately, the streets in this neighborhood are named for horse breeds. The neighborhood’s earliest residence was built in 1947.

“Hacienda Palomino” aka “Thriller Villa” is the home Michael Jackson rented from 2007-2009 while rehearsing for his Las Vegas show “The One.”

Starting as a humble ranch in 1952, today the property stands at a staggering 24,000 sq ft mansion, with the main estate featuring 7 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms! Other property features include: a guest home, 74-seat medieval style chapel and recording studio, bell tower, water fountain, hand painted fire place, horse stable, and 7000 sq ft private art gallery in the basement. All of this on 1.7 acres!!!

The majority of the home is in the Hacienda style, as is popular in the American Southwest. Characteristics of the hacienda style include: earthy color palate, decorative tile, adobe and exposed beams.

Linking with another “Show Stopper” on our tour, Thriller Villa is presently managed by the Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts. Items from the shuttered Liberace Museum are now located within this home. During their lifetimes, Michael Jackson and Liberace were friends.

FAMOUS FORMER RESIDENTSWorld-Famous King of Pop, Michael Jackson:

◆ 2007-2009 ◆ Allegedly, in order to avoid the paparazzi Jackson accessed his vehicle through a tunnel under the main house.

For further details about the home interior and Jackson’s estate see the HBO documentary “Finding Neverland.”

Locally Known Theater Owner, Horst Schmidt: ◆ Remodeled the home in the 1990s. Schmidt lived here until 2002.

◆ Schmidt arrived in Las Vegas as a teenage foreign exchange student. After graduating from the Las Vegas High School, Schmidt went on become a successful businessman, owning three theaters:

▷ Red Rock Theater ▷ El Portal Theater on Fremont Street ▷ Henderson Theater

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JERRY LEWIS RESIDENCE 1701 Waldman Avenue

YEAR BUILT: 1964

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 7325

NEIGHBORHOOD: Scotch 80s

A traditional Colonial Revival in Las Vegas’ Scotch 80s. This historic property recently listed at 1.2 Million.

About the Neighborhood

The origins of Scotch 80s date to 1941 when it was originally platted by Lawrence G. McNeil of the McNeil Construction Company. Despite the early platting date, the neighborhood’s earliest homes date to 1955, with most development happening in the 1960s. Other notable Scotch 80s residents include: Howard Hughes, Steve Wynn, Brandon Flowers (The Killers) and Nicolas Cage.

Our next showstopper takes us to Las Vegas’ best-known neighborhood of the stars—Welcome to the Scotch 80s!!! With big personalities and big houses to match, Scotch 80s features the valley’s most extravagant custom homes.

Among the A-listers was comedian Jerry Lewis who owned 1701 Waldman Avenue from 1984-2017. On the outside, this colonial revival is quite traditional, with a symmetric and inviting red brick exterior and porch entry. The home interior, however, is anything but traditional! Funky features from the swinging 60s include:

◆ Oversized chandeliers ◆ Grand stairway complete with beveled mirrors ◆ Massive, petrified wood fireplace ◆ Backyard landscaping including pool, waterfall, and casita

The home boasts 5 bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms. Jerry Lewis is well remembered for his double act with Dean Martin, performances at the Sands during the late 1950s, and for his decades-long work as national chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He lived in this home with his second wife, SanDee Pitnick, and daughter Danielle Lewis. Jerry Lewis passed away in August of 2017.

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in Las VegasMartin and Lewis shared the stage in Atlantic City, NJ before making their Las Vegas debut at the Flamingo in 1949. Uproarious, slapstick acts presented Martin as the singer while Lewis interrupted with farfetched improvisational gags. They were an instant hit! The pair jointly earned $150,000 per week.

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CASA DE SHENANDOAH 6629 S. Pecos Road

YEAR BUILT: Mansion, 1978Multiple ranch buildings and guest homes date to 1950s and 1960s

ACREAGE: Nearly 40 acres. The property is bounded by Sunset Road to the north, Pecos Road to the east, Smoke Tree Lane to the south and Tomiyasu Lane to the west.

Complex is entirely gated. Best views available from corner of Smoke Tree and Pecos.

In 1966 the bustling corner of Sunset and Pecos was quiet and at the far reaches of town. At the time, Wayne Newton was only 24 years old, but already had years of experience as a Las Vegas performer. What is now a sprawling forty-acre complex, began with a purchase of just five acres, including a 4-stall stable, on the eastern side of the property just off Pecos. Over decades, Wayne Newton acquired adjacent parcels little by little, building up Casa de Shenandoah to include eight homes, two barns totaling sixty stalls, acres of manicured shrubs, artesian springs, and even a circular equestrian swimming pool for Newton’s prized Arabian horses!

Arguably the best-known celebrity home of Las Vegas, Casa de Shenandoah has received national recognition too, most notably ranking in the top three MTV Cribs “Priciest Pads.” The recognition is well-deserved. Extravagant finishes inside the home include: crystal banisters lining two grand staircase, blue lapis fireplaces and ceilings adorned with burled Carpathian Elm.

While only 3 bedrooms, the 1978 mansion includes several unique bonus rooms and features, among them a secret office, elevator, extensive butler’s pantry, his and hers dressing rooms, and an underground wine cellar with walls resembling a gold mine shaft.

A Virginia native, Newton named the property Casa de Shenandoah. It served as the family home for nearly 50 years before opening briefly in 2015 as a tourist attraction. As of this writing, the property for sale once again, listed at a whopping 30 million!

Wayne Newton, Child Star to Mr. Las Vegas! Before hitting the LasVegas Lounge Act scene brothers Jerry and Wayne Newton performed as the Rascals of Rhythm with the Grand Ole Opry. Starting at the Fremont Hotel and Casino, Wayne Newton has played almost every Las Vegas showroom, boasting a decades long career and an unmatched 30,000 performances! Newton is presently performing at Caesars Palace.

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LIBERACE MANSION 4982 Shirley Street

YEAR BUILT: Late 1970s. Two previous homes adjoined into one-quite fabulous-home!

SQUARE FEET: 14,000

NEIGHBORHOOD: Wilbur Clark’s Paradise Gardens

For our finale of Show Stoppers we head to 4982 Shirley Street. Even amidst the glitz and glamour that is Las Vegas, the Liberace Mansion still stands out! Its prominence is due not only to the mirrored walls, the staircase imported from France, or the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the master bedroom, but more importantly as the former part-time home of one of the world’s most famous entertainers.

In 1974, Wladziu Valentino Liberace purchased adjacent homes on Shirley Street. Over the next few years, he had the two homes adjoined and transformed into what is now known as the Liberace Mansion. The surrounding neighborhood is home to several dozen modest ranches. The Liberace Mansion may not visually settle into this neighborhood, but Liberace did. While a resident, he visited his neighbors’ homes and hosted them at his. From 1974 to 1987 when he passed, the Mansion was not only Liberace’s Las Vegas residence, it was his home.

Following nearly 25 years of neglect, present day owners have lovingly restored the mansion with a 2-million-dollar renovation. Iconic features of the home include: Sistine Chapel ceiling mural, famous sunken bathtub, golden swan faucets, spiral staircase, glass-ceiling Morrocan room, and miles of mirrors, fine wallpaper and gold!

In March of 2016, the Liberace Mansion was the first entry on the Clark County Register of Historic Places.

Mr. Showmanship Liberace first played Las Vegas in 1944. Residencies included the Last Frontier, Riviera, and Las Vegas Hilton (Now Westgate). At his peak, Liberace was the world’s highest paid performer. Greater than a virtuoso, Liberace’s performance props were unparalleled with elaborate costumes and stage props, Swarovski pianos and stage cars, earning him the name Mr. Showmanship.

I don’t give concerts, I put on a show. —Liberace

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OM P L E T E D T H

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CURBSIDE COLLECTIONS

CRUISER

Home + History Las Vegas (HHLV) celebrates Nevada’s history by fostering an appreciation of historic and important architecture within the Las Vegas Valley. By creating an engaging series of events, HHLV helps to promote, educate and advocate for the preservation of Las Vegas’ architectural resources, as well as breeds renewed thought to preservation, urban sustainability and community development here in Southern Nevada.

NPF’s mission is to preserve and revitalize historic buildings and places in Nevada, and to cultivate a presence around cultural heritage and tourism. Retention and restoration of our built environment fosters not only a sense of place but also helps to build an engaged community for residents and visitors alike. We know that preserving our buildings is as much about our collective history as it is about strengthening neighborhoods, creating jobs, diversifying tourism, and boosting conservation.

330 W. Washington Ave, Suite 106, Las Vegas, NV 89106info@NevadaPreservation.org • NevadaPreservation.org

PRESENTING SPONSORS

You’ve reached the finish line!You’re now a Curbside Collections Cruiser! Take a #vegascool selfie outside one of the Extreme Homes and post it with the hashtags #hhlv #extremehomes. Bonus points for holding up this brochure!

Thank you for attending Home + History Las Vegas! Your tour purchase supports historic preservation projects throughout Nevada.

Look for more Home + History events in 2021 and check out our monthly programs at:nevadapreservation.org.

© Nevada Preservation Foundation 2020