Oral history interview with Kathleen Becker and Ernest A. Becker IV conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 30, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Kathleen and Ernest IV discusses their upbringing in Southern California. Kathleen talks about her father’s career as a landscape architect, and his involvement with the design of the El Rancho Hotel and Casino. Ernest IV discusses his family’s involvement in Las Vegas, Nevada development, building shopping centers, and building homes during the 1960s. Lastly, Kathleen and Ernest IV discuss their building development business.
Oral history interview with Mario Berlanga Jr. conducted by Claytee D. White on July 26, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Berlanga discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside community. He discusses his experience working at supermarkets, becoming a supermarket owner, and establishing his business, Mario’s Westside Market. Berlanga talks about supporting the children of the community, working with the local police, and the growth of his business. Lastly, Berlanga discusses the redevelopment of the Westside neighborhood.
Oral history interview with Fred Keeton conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on October 20, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Keeton discusses his early life in Mississippi. He talks about the complexity of corporate diversity and the importance of inclusion for business ecosystems. Lastly, Keeton describes how Caesars Palace has developed their business performance, the idea of Complexity Science, and complex adaptive systems.
Oral history interview with Paul Steelman conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 24, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Steelman discusses his early life and initial interests in architecture. He talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987, working with architect Joel Bergman, and designing the Mirage with Steve Wynn. Steelman remembers opening up his architecture firm, Steelman Partners LLP, and the properties they have built in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Donald Fabbi conducted by Claytee D. White on October 24, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Fabbi discusses his family background in Tonapah, Nevada and Silver Peak, Nevada. He talks about his family’s move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 and his employment at the Nevada Power Company. Fabbi recalls the Helldorado parade, the Moulin Rouge casino, and the volunteering he has done around the city.
Oral history interview with Dennis Ritz conducted by Claytee D. White on September 29, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Ritz discusses his early life in rural Pennsylvania. He recalls his initial interest in entertainment, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965, and becoming an entertainment director for hotels and casinos. Ritz talks about the influence of organized crime in Las Vegas, and the various shows he worked on.
The Gellman Family Photograph Collection on the Flamingo Hotel (approximately 1946-1950, 2009) contains photographs of the Gellman family at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada during the mid-to-late 1940s. The Gellman family owned a pharmacy that was located in the Flamingo Hotel. Other materials in this collection include two postcards of the Flamingo Hotel and one Fred Harvey Hotel Locations (California to Kansas) postcard. Also included is a newspaper clipping of the "House That Bugsy Built" article from the Las Vegas Review-Journal from 2009.
Oral history interview with Gary Sternberg, Joe Lupo, and Ed Birch conducted by Barbara Tabach on August 21, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Lupo and Birch discuss their upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sternberg discusses his early life and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969. Sternberg and Birch talk about the gaming industry, becoming casino dealers, and changes in customer service in Las Vegas. Lupo describes the airline industry during the 1970s, and the growth of McCarran International Airport. Lastly, Sternberg, Lupo, and Birch discuss changes in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Janice Haupt Allen conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 27, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Allen discusses her early life and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947. She talks about her involvement in the Las Vegas community, becoming a news reporter with the Las Vegas Age, and becoming a Smith Center for the Performing Arts founder. Allen describes working with school children in Las Vegas, partnering with Vegas PBS, and issues with the Clark County School District education system.
Oral history interview with Leslie H. Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on November 02, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses his life in Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls anecdotes of the city during the 1950s and 1960s, growing up near downtown Las Vegas, and the influence of organized crime. Smith talks about starting a construction contracting firm and changes in Las Vegas.