May 12, 2005

Centennial honors pioneer families with Founders Luncheon

What: Mayor Oscar Goodman and the Centennial Committee will welcome descendants of Las Vegas' founding families, people who settled in the Las Vegas Valley before 1930, to meet, greet and share their memories of early Las Vegas during an appreciation luncheon.

The luncheon will honor the first townspeople who settled in the Las Vegas Valley prior to the construction of the Hoover Dam and ultimately created the infrastructure of what would become the most dynamic city in the world. Luncheon highlights will include a story telling session and the sharing of family artifacts. More than 40 families have RSVP'd, many of whom worked for the first railroad, which was integral in the founding of Las Vegas.

When: Tuesday, May 10, 2005, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Media will capture the best footage between 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m.
Family representatives will also be available for media interviews.

Where: Lawry's The Prime Rib, 4043 Howard Hughes Parkway near Flamingo Road

PIONEER FAMILIES IN ATTENDANCE
Representatives from several notable pioneer families who have made monumental contributions to the Las Vegas Valley are scheduled to be in attendance at the luncheon, including the following:

The Von Tobel Family-- Ed Von Tobel arrived in Las Vegas for the 1905 land auction and started a lumberyard with his partner, Jake Beckley, to serve the growing community. Von Tobel's Lumber became the longest lasting family business in town. Von Tobel also served as one of the first City Commissioners when Las Vegas was incorporated in 1911.

The Bryan Family-- Oscar Bryan arrived in Las Vegas in 1926 to finish his senior year of high school. His son, former Sen. Richard Bryan, has enjoyed a distinguished political and legal career that that has spanned nearly four decades.

The Cashman Family-- Jim Cashman moved to Las Vegas in 1919 to establish an automobile dealership. Jim's commitment to community service helped the Las Vegas Elks Lodge create Helldorado, Las Vegas' largest civic celebration.

The Tomiyasu Family -- Bill Tomiyasu arrived in Las Vegas in 1914 as one of the first Asian Americans to settle in Las Vegas. Tomiyasu developed farming techniques that brought fruit and produce to early Las Vegas and many trees that he originally germinated still prosper today.