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Transcript of interview with Michael J. Signorelli by Claytee D. White, Stefani Evans, August 4, 2016

Date

2016-08-04

Description

Michael Signorelli, long-time Las Vegas resident and builder of many local homes, apartments and hotels, describes his upbringing, career, and stellar reputation as part of the “Building Las Vegas” oral history project. Raised in Rhode Island, the only child of an Italian-American father and a Southern Baptist mother, Michael’s early life was influenced by his father’s disability as a World War Two veteran and his non-English speaking paternal grandparents, who owned and ran a grocery store. Talking of his experiences in helping them run the grocery store he says, "I became a businessman at the age of twelve." His military service during the Vietnam War landed him at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. Once here, Michael furthered his education at UNLV, obtaining both his MEd and PhD degrees. In Las Vegas Michael began his work in the housing arena working for Sun Home Builders and his non-profit work, helping to raise funds for the newly formed Rape Crisis Center. Signorelli went on to work for Howard Hughes's Summa Corporation, where he successfully fought against a discrimination lawsuit brought by twenty-one female dealers. In 1978 Michael started his own company, Nicro Corporation, and began building homes in the Las Vegas valley with land he acquired on a hand-shake and a verbal contract. He continued his non-profit work, which included coordinating Lady Bird Johnson’s Green Thumb project for Nevada and the Pacific Northwest. In the 1980s Signorelli was recruited by the Fitzgerald Group, where he was involved in non-gaming operations for their many hotels, cattle ranch, and an in vitro clinic. In this interview, Signorelli describes his non-Las Vegas building projects in Mesquite and Laughlin. He built the Mesquite Star hotel and casino by overcoming multiple hurdles around water access and money. Despite twice obtaining a loan for one hundred million dollars, he was never able to successfully complete the Laughlin hotel and casino, due to legal issues from his partner’s family trust. Signorelli also shares his idea for a unique hotel and casino called the Nev Star that involved his successful negotiation of a waiver to Senate Bill 208. Signorelli concludes his interview by talking about his ownership of the world-famous Golden Steer Steak House restaurant, which opened in 1958. Under Signorelli’s ownership the Golden Steer has been featured in national publications and claims many legendary fans such as NACAR driver Mario Andretti, who in 2016 celebrated his seventy-six birthday at the Golden Steer. Signorelli’s love of Las Vegas and its many positive traits come forth as he talks about his daughter and her achievements and suggests Vegas promoters should do a better job about what great schools, medical care, and government we have in Las Vegas.

Text

Jinx Cochrell oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00401

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jinx Cochrell conducted by Delroy Shigematsu on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cochrell discusses the United States Navy, airports, Howard Hughes, the entertainment industry, Mount Charleston, Boulder (Hoover) Dam, her career as a secretary at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the mob.

Archival Collection

Photograph of the Lockheed 14 aircraft, July 10, 1938

Date

1938-07-10

Description

The black and white view of the Lockheed 14 aircraft. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Take-off from Floyd Bennett Airport for Paris on first lef of Round the World flight at 7:20 P.M. E.D.T. piloted by Howard Hughes with crew of four."

Image

Photograph of Flying Boat engines during test flight, Los Angeles Harbor, November 2, 1947

Date

1947-11-02

Description

Engines attached to the wing of the Flying Boat are visible in this photograph that was taken during Howard Hughes first test flight. Harbor Island is visible in the distance. Photograph likely taken from inside the plane. Los Angeles Harbor is now known as Long Beach Harbor.

Image

Photograph of Dick Hannah at telephone press conference, North Hollywood, January 7, 1972

Date

1972-01-07

Description

Dick Hannah, standing at far right, at Howard Hughes telephone press conference at the Universal-Sheraton Hotel in North Hollywood, California, January 7, 1972. Hannah stands before a table with various members of the media, including Gladwin Hill of the New York Times, Wayne Thomas of the Chicago Tribune, and Marvin Miles of the Los Angeles Times, seated behind microphones.

Image