Oral history interviews with Leon Carter Sr., Ruth Jimerson-Carter, Leon Carter Jr., and Herman Jimerson Jr. conducted by Claytee D. White on January 18 through March 18, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Leon Carter Sr. talks of his childhood, time spent playing baseball after graduating high school, and the various professions he's held including working at the Nevada Test Site, working in construction, and entering the casino industry as a dealer. The Carter Family discuss life on the Westside and their respective histories.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rossi Ralenkotter conducted by Claytee D. White on August 4, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Ralenkotter describes migrating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951 with his parents at the age of four. He shares early memories of the city, and talks about how it brought him to be president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Ralenkotter is responsible for marketing and branding Las Vegas and Southern Nevada as the world's most desirable destination for leisure and business travel. Under his leadership, the LVCVA launched the most successful branding campaign in tourism history, "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas." In 1971, Ralenkotter earned a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and in 2008 was selected as Alumni of the Year. In 2009, he was honored with UNLV's Distinguished Nevadan Award. Throughout the interview, Ralenkotter recalls his many memories of the city throughout his life, including cruising Fremont Street, swimming at Lorenzi Park, participating in Helldorado parades, and watching the transformation of sports in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Peter Michel conducted by Claytee D. White on March 10, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Peter Michel is Acting Director of University of Nevada, Las Vegas Lied Library's Special Collections and Archives. This interview was conducted in part for the 20th year celebration of Lied Library. He discusses the construction of Lied Library and his time working in Special Collections and Archives. Peter also talks of his early life, university studies, and professional career that led him to Las Vegas, along with his thoughts on what the future holds for UNLV's Special Collections and Archives.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ida M. Gaines conducted by Claytee D. White on September 30, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Gaines discusses her early life in Louisiana. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, living in the Westside, and her employment at the Nevada Test Site. Gaines remembers integration, her involvement with the Las Vegas Chapter of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and becoming a member of Gamma Phi Delta. Gaines talks about working with Senator Harry Reid as a community liaison, the economic downfall of Jackson Street businesses, and redevelopment of the Westside. Lastly, Gaines discusses the issue of homelessness in the community, and the work that the Economic Opportunity Board (EOB) did to reduce poverty in the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Danny Cluff conducted by Claytee D. White on December 8, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Danny Cluff discusses his attendance at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the evening of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada with his friends and nephew. He talks of finding safety in Hooters with other survivors from the concert. When speaking of gun control, he discusses his perspectives on human nature, citing his experiences during and after the concert shooting. Throughout the interview, Cluff speaks of the ways he has healed and kept positive after the shooting, such as laughing through the hard times and writing poetry, of which he gives a few samples.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with the Sennes family conducted by Claytee D. White on November 18, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Frank Sennes Jr., Jerry Sennes, and Luanne Sennes Glenn discuss their father, Frank Sennes Sr., and his life and career as an entertainment director. They describe their early lives traveling with their father to various states before eventually moving to Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s, where Sennes Sr. became the entertainment director for the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino and the Moulin Rouge. They talk about their father's personal history, his work with Donn Arden, and the various celebrities they met through their father.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Stella Butterfield conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin on October 14, 2005 and October 25, 2005 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Butterfield opens her interviews discussing her family and childhood in the Bronx, New York, in the 1930s and 1940s. Butterfield then talks about her work for the U.S. Coast Guard as a typist during World War II and as a teletype operator for the U.S. Air Force. Butterfield then describes how her teletype operator job eventually moved her to Panama, and her experiences there. She then discusses her move with her husband Frank to Las Vegas, Nevada for his assignment at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB). Butterfield discusses becoming a court reporter at Nellis AFB and describes the city of Henderson, Nevada. Lastly, Butterfield talks about becoming a civilian court reporter for U.S. District Judge Roger T. Foley and her experiences as a freelance court reporter.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kathie Clinesmith conducted by Salme Armijo on October 30, 2010 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. Clinesmith opens her interview by explaining that she was born and raised in San Gabriel, California, completing her Bachelor degree in English at a local university and then finishing a Master of Library Science degree at the University of Hawaii around 1970. She then talks about accepting a position with the Clark County, Nevada library district in Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses her marriage and subsequent move from Las Vegas to the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park where her husband served as park ranger, and their final move to Blue Diamond Village. Lastly, she talks about her involvement in Village activities and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) purchase of the Oliver Ranch near the Village.
Archival Collection