Oral history interview with Richard C. MacDonald conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 20, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, MacDonald describes his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. He talks about his experience earning his real estate broker's license and his father's plan to develop and sell Las Vegas property. MacDonald recalls working with Frank Sala and Chuck Ruthe to obtain his first two sections of Henderson, Nevada land, which became Sun City MacDonald Ranch and the western part of MacDonald Highlands. Later, he talks about developing Sunridge at MacDonald Ranch and The Canyons at MacDonald Ranch. MacDonald recalls his twenty-year experience as a developer with the City of Henderson, its planning commission, city manager, city attorney, and city council. Lastly, he talks of golf course architects and planners and the MacDonald Highlands golf course, his family, the Great Recession, and his current status working with the City of Henderson.
Oral history interview with Nancy Cummings-Schmidt conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 18, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Cummings-Schmidt discusses her family background in Nevada dating back to the 1800s. She talks about her educational experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada and her work as a library aid at Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas). Later, Cummings-Schmidt discusses her role as the Young People’s Library Coordinator for the Sunrise Library in 1973 and talks about racism and sexism in children’s literature. Lastly, Cummings-Schmidt describes the technological development and changes in libraries.
Oral history interview with Craig Galati conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 24, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Galati talks about his parents’ decision to move from Ohio to Nevada and what it was like growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1960s. He recalls his first jobs as a teenager in Las Vegas, and his studies in architecture at the University of Idaho. He recounts the dilemma of struggling to find architecture work he enjoyed and how that goal drew him back to Las Vegas. He describes various projects in his portfolio from his early years to his most recent projects. Galati describes the work he has done at Aliante Hotel and Casino and the renovation of Lied Library at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Lastly, he speaks highly of his partnership with Ray Lucchesi and the basis for their vision. Digital audio and transcript available.
Oral history interview with Stephen S. Jones and Bart Jones conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on November 07, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bart and Stephen discuss growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and attending John S. Park Elementary School. They talk about hunting in the desert and accompanying their grandfather to the Ranch Market in the Westside. Stephen describes how Audie Coker mentored him in construction, why he named his company Merlin Construction, and how he enticed his brother to join him. Bart recalls owning and operating a macadamia ranch in Hawaii for ten years before returning to Las Vegas to join Stephen in the construction business. Lastly, the two describe some of the houses they have built for their clients.
Oral history interview with Dorothy Eisenberg conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on March 08, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Eisenberg starts this interview by discussing her personal history and growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She describes living through World War II, arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964, and the Jewish community that she was involved with at Temple Beth Sholom. Lastly, Eisenberg talks about being a founding member of the League of Women Voters in Las Vegas and racial integration in Clark County schools. Digital audio and transcript available.
Oral history interview with Joan Clow conducted by Joyce Moore on October 23, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Clow opens her interview describing her family and upbringing in Nebraska. she then explains how her and her husband's jobs with the Buraeu of Reclamation lead to their move to Boulder City, Nevada in 1977. Clow then explains her husband's job, Head of the materials lab, and her own job, as an assistant to various directors. She recalls revising drafts for environmental impact statements and how the improvements were meant to protect various wildlife. She also discuses travel related to her work and her membership on the Boulder City Hospital Board after her retirement. Clow goes on to talk about her other charity work with organizations including the Philosophical, Educational Organization. Lastly, Clow comments on the changes she has seen in Boulder City over her 26 year residency, she also explains some of the housing construction ordinances of the city.
Oral history interviews with Richard Bryan conducted by Kristin Guthre on November 10, 2011 and an unknown date for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bryan begins by discussing his father’s time as a law student in Washington, D.C. and the influence his father had on his decision to pursue law. Bryan then chronicles moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s and growing up in the Huntridge Community near Charleston Boulevard. Bryan recounts attending both the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, California. Bryan describes his experiences in the Las Vegas District Attorney’s office and the Army Reserve. He then recalls his political career as a member of the Nevada Senate, his role as the Attorney General of Nevada, the Governor of Nevada, and as a United States Senator. Lastly, Bryan discusses political issues in Nevada and the United States during his time in office such as debates about renewable energy, environmentalism, and preservation.
Oral history interview with Linda and Ross Fitzpatrick conducted by Claytee D. White on October 10, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Linda and Ross discuss their personal histories and how they eventually met. They describe where Walking Box Ranch is located and recall their interest in the area near Searchlight, Nevada. Later, the two recall their decisions on what to preserve at Walking Box Ranch after buying the property. Lastly, Ross discusses being appointed by the Canadian Prime Minister to the Canadian Federal Senate in 1998.
Oral history interviews with Richard W. Bunker conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 18 2017, July 21, 2017, and September 28, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bunker discusses the history behind a wide range of events that affected the daily lives of Southern Nevadans. He talks about his role in a consolidation attempt between the Clark County and Las Vegas, Nevada governmental structures that was halted by the courts in 1975. Bunker then recalls working as a member and Chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and his work with various casinos and hotels including Circus Circus, the Dunes, and the Aladdin. He discusses replacing key people at the Gaming Control Board, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Operation Yobo sting. He then speaks fondly of his longtime friends Jim Gibson, Judge Lloyd George, and Jim Joyce. Lastly, Bunker discusses water rights, supply, and management issues in Nevada as it relates to the Nevada Resort Association, Las Vegas Valley Water District, Southern Nevada Water Authority, and the Colorado River Commission.