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Overview
For 18 years Las Vegans have enjoyed small helpings of their own rich history, served up by public radio station KNPR. Hearing well-told tales of characters with names like “Whiskey Pete,” and the comic-opera romance between a famous female evangelist and and a boyfriend called “Whataman,” many a listener has wished for a transcript. This book fulfills that wish, presenting more than 100 selected mostly by the program's original author, historian Frank Wright.
Wright mined the pits and pockets of local lore for nuggets little-known to the public, misunderstood by most, or merely enough fun to be worth telling once more. After Wright's death in 2003, his friend and fellow historian, Dr. Michael Green, took over writing the series, which is voiced by Nevada's former U.S. senator and governor, Richard Bryan, on KNPR's news frequency, 88.9 FM.
Newcomers to the world-class city that is Las Vegas today may be unaware that a mere middle-aged lifetime ago, it was still a fairly typical Western small town where most people made their livings in agriculture, mining, the military, or working for the railroad. Newspapers might be delivered by horseback and minor league baseball was major news. When news ran short, Wright reveals, local editors sometimes made up stories, like the nude but evasive Eve of Paradise Valley.
In those days Las Vegas wasn't fancy, but it was fun, and Wright makes it live again.
No one knew more about Las Vegas history than Frank Wright, and no one taught more people about it. This collection is like the man who wrote it: careful with the facts, full of fun, and a joy to sit down and spend time with.
— Michael Green, Ph.D.
Professor of History
Community College of Southern Nevada
Frank Wright's Nevada Yesterdays is a wonderful book! It confirms the judgment I made of Frank's work during the years when KNPR regularly aired his historical gems. Frank was a good historian, a good writer, and a good man. In honoring him by seeing this book into print, Dorothy Wright has done a service to our community as well. Frank would be pleased. I am!
— John Irsfeld, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman of the English Department, UNLV
Author of Little Kingdoms, Coming Through and Rats Alley
Frank was without a doubt the go-to guy for local history. He was the quiet zealot whose accessibility and knowledge and enthusiasm enlightened generations of Las Vegans . . . . His book continues his legacy, conveying to future generations his deep belief in the value of the past.
— Lamar Marchese
KNPR President/General Manager
Frank was a touchstone for... those trying to understand the complex, sometimes convoluted human connections, which comprise our local history. I'm glad Frank's work will be produced in Nevada Yesterdays, so that still more people in our community may better understand and embrace our rich, wonderful history.
— Greta Brunschwyler
Director
Nevada State Museum and Historical Society
