Nevada Yesterdays
Hosted by richard bryan,
Written by Michael Green
Written by Michael Green
Nevada Yesterdays
History and folklore of Nevada, written by Professor Michael Green of UNLV, and narrated by former Senator Richard Bryan. Supported by Nevada Humanities and dedicated to the memory of historian Frank Wright. (Wright wrote all segments before August 2003.)
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Ruby Duncan rose from Louisiana cotton fields to become a Nevada force for change. Trace her early life and the roots of her welfare-rights activism. -
From a seven-student schoolhouse in Elko in 1874 to nearly 22,000 students today, the full history of the University of Nevada, Reno — its founding, legendary faculty, championship athletes, and the leaders who shaped it. -
Paul Laxalt served as Nevada's governor and U.S. senator, championed Ronald Reagan's rise, and left a legacy that transformed Nevada politics. -
From his partnership with Jerry Lewis to the Rat Pack, the Sands, and the MGM Grand, Dean Martin was a Las Vegas fixture for decades. Host Michael Green traces the career of the laid-back crooner. -
From UNLV's first library in 1957 to co-founding Joyce and Martin Advertising, Marydean Martin shaped southern Nevada for decades. Remembering a librarian, philanthropist, and community builder. -
In August 1964, The Beatles played Las Vegas's Convention Center after Stan Irwin of the Sahara Hotel took a chance on the Fab Four. Up to 16,000 fans attended, launching the era of arena entertainment in Las Vegas. -
Sammy Davis Jr. headlined the Las Vegas Strip but faced segregation, mob threats, and violence offstage. Part 2 of his Las Vegas story. -
Sammy Davis Jr. headlined the Las Vegas Strip but faced segregation, mob threats, and violence offstage. Part 1 of his Las Vegas story. -
Pat McCarran was Nevada's first native-born U.S. Senator and its most powerful 20th-century politician. Learn how he rose from underdog to Nevada Senator. -
Rossi Ralenkotter spent 45 years at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, creating the studies that shaped tourism strategy and helping land the city's biggest events.
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The 54-year history of Las Vegas' legendary Desert Inn casino - from Wilbur Clark's 1950 vision to Steve Wynn's 2004 demolition. -
Lyle Rivera died recently. His story is worth telling, and so is a bigger story he was part of. -
Norm Clarke died recently. He covered Las Vegas legends, and became one in his own right. -
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Recently, an anniversary passed unnoticed: when Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin became part of the national consciousness with his anti-communist crusade. Nevada was part of its beginning, seventy-five years ago. -
On New Year’s Day 2025, the California Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas turned 50. That meant it was also the fiftieth anniversary of Boyd Gaming. Both of them are success stories. -
No president lived as long as Jimmy Carter, or was an ex-president longer. He died late in 2024 at age 100, almost 44 years after leaving the White House. He left a great legacy, from Habitat for Humanity to the Camp David Accords. He also had some interesting ties to Nevada history. -
Did you enjoy the World Series? There are plenty of Nevada connections to the Fall Classic, from Tuscarora native Wheezer Dell pitching in the 1916 series for Brooklyn to Greg Maddux pitching for Atlanta in the 1990s. -
Husband-and-wife political teams have been unusual in Nevada, but then again, the Goodmans weren’t expected to be one of those teams. -
Discover 150 years of University of Nevada, Reno history. From legendary football coaches Buck Shaw and Chris Ault to Colin Kaepernick's historic 2010 season.
