Oral history interview with Paris Oddo conducted by Claytee D. White on July 20, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Oddo discusses her early life in Detroit, Michigan. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1984, becoming an electrician, and being a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (I.B.E.W) Local Union 357. Oddo talks about completing a five-year apprenticeship program offered by the Union, and her experience as a female electrician. She remembers her employment at the Nevada Test Site, working closely with radioactive materials, and being diagnosed with illnesses due to radioactive exposure while at the Nevada Test Site. Lastly, Oddo expresses her concerns over nuclear waste storage at Yucca Mountain.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arthur Cummings conducted by Stefani Evans and Peyton McCord on April 26, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Cummings discusses his early life in Long Island, New York. He recalls his initial interest in real estate, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to sell houses, and describes the real estate market during the mid-1990s. Cummings explains the importance of maintaining a good credit score, and the idea of financial preparedness as a way to avoid legal problems. Later, Cummings talks about obtaining a real estate license in Nevada, selling homes in Summerlin and the southwest portion of the Las Vegas Valley. Lastly, Cummings discusses building up clientele in the real estate industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ricki Barlow conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on July 12, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Barlow discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside. Barlow talks about his time as Councilman for Ward 5 in the City of Las Vegas, and lists what he accomplished from his campaign promises. He recalls his first projects as councilman, restoring the Westside School, and preserving historic buildings near downtown Las Vegas. Later, Barlow describes the issue of homelessness in Las Vegas, providing social services to people most in need, and improving the mental health system in Nevada. Lastly, Barlow discusses plans to redevelop Jackson Street and the Westside.
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 Pamela Sitton conducted by Claytee D. White on March 15, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sitton discusses her early life in South Carolina, Ohio, California, Arizona, and finally settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. She recalls her father’s employment at the Nevada Test Site as a carpenter, graduating from Las Vegas High School, and the demolition of historic Las Vegas buildings. Sitton talks about the Huntridge movie theatre, Charleston Plaza Mall, and recreational activities she participated in during the 1970s. Lastly, Sitton discusses preserving historic buildings in Las Vegas, the importance of having a sense of history, and the October 1, 2017 shooting.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Entsminger conducted by Stefani Evans on May 31, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Entsminger discusses his early life in Colorado. He talks about going to law school at the University of Colorado, arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999, and his employment for the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s (SNWA) legal team. Entsminger describes the infrastructure projects that the SNWA has been involved in, negotiating multi-jurisdictional regional and international contract agreements, and protecting the future water supply. Entsminger explains water banking, water rights, and aquifers in Lake Mead. Lastly, Entsminger talks about water conservation, the SNWA’s water conservation plan, and drought that Nevada is experiencing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joy Rineer conducted by Stefani Evans on December 01, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Rineer talks about growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls her educational experience in Las Vegas, attending the University of Utah, and studying architecture. Rineer explains how architectural education, internships, testing, and licensing processes have evolved over time, and how these processes formerly limited opportunities for women in architecture. Rineer also reflects on projects she has worked on personally, her employment with architecture firm Simpson Coulter Studio, and the firm's emphasis on community-anchored architecture. Lastly, Rineer discusses planning for schools, and changing classroom layouts to accommodate different learning styles.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with June Gunderson conducted by Stephanie Hirsch on February 26, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Gunderson reflects upon her career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). She discusses the process by which she became a physical education teacher, and describes how she became a dean and eventually principal. She describes her approach to school administration, her interactions with special education and bilingual education programs, and her regular responsibilities and challenges as principal. She also discusses her experience as an administrator at school during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and the importance of working relationships with teachers and fellow administrators.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Oscar Schwartz conducted by Claytee D. White on January 25, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Schwartz discusses his personal history and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1980s. Schwartz describes being a casino dealer before becoming a comedy magician and the transition of ownership of casinos from organized crime to corporations. He talks about his career in property and real estate appraisal in Las Vegas and the methods he would use to determine the value of different possessions and estates. Schwartz also discusses his opinion on the spending of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on a new stadium, the development east of Fremont Street, and casinos wanting to build Ferris wheels.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Stafford conducted by Gale Robinson on March 05, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stafford discusses her personal history and the history of Henderson, Nevada. Stafford describes living in Henderson during the 1950s and the importance of the Basic Magnesium Plant during World War II. She then talks about how Henderson has grown and the different chemical plants that opened in the town. Stafford goes on to discuss her career working for the local newspaper,
Archival Collection