Oral history interview with Jacob Snow conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on August 29, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Snow discusses the ways that infrastructure accommodated Southern Nevada's growth. He discusses McCarran's Terminal Three, the Las Vegas Monorail, University of Las Vegas, Nevada (UNLV) football stadium, the Bruce Woodbury Beltway, and the Fremont Street Experience. Snow discusses his career as general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission, where he worked with Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, and his three years as city manager for the City of Henderson.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lois Sagel by Jeff Van Ee on April 4, 2009 for the Voices for Nevada's Environment Oral History Project. In this interview, Sagel describes how her upbringing in Montana and Big Bear, California gave her a deep appreciation for nature and wilderness. She talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada as a young wife and mother in 1958, how families would take their children to watch the above-ground nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site, and how the rapid growth and enroaching development in the city was not matched by planned infrastructure improvements. She explains how her desire to protect Nevada's environment increased as she saw developers moving toward the mountains surrounding Las Vegas, how this pushed her into the environmental justice movement, and her long association with the Soroptimists organization.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jean Whitcher conducted by Michele deHoll on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Witcher discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1932 and describes the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam, Fremont Street before it was fully paved, and social life in Las Vegas at the time. Witcher then recalls her work in costume repair and construction as a seamstress at the El Rancho Hotel and Casino. Later, Witcher discusses her work in costume design and recalls some of her more memorable designs.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Wallace conducted by Claytee D. White on April 10, 2009 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Wallace begins the interview by discussing his upbringing in Atlanta, Georgia, his extensive family, and attending college at the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio to study transportation. He describes having a career in advertising in New York City, New York before moving to Los Angeles, California, where he made the career transition into stand-up comedy. Wallace details his career as a successful comedian, writing for The Redd Foxx Show, going on tour with musicians such as Diana Ross and Tom Jones, and having his own running show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Other topics of discussion also include Wallace's friendship with fellow comedian Jerry Seinfeld, being awarded "Best Male Comedian" by the American Comedy Awards in 1995, and the changes Wallace has noticed in comedy and African American culture.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carl Partridge conducted by Michelle Lee Muniz on April 16, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Partridge reflects upon his career as an elementary school teacher and administrator in Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). He discusses the process by which he became a teacher with CCSD, later became a principal, and opened Myrtle Tate Elementary School in 1971. He also describes his approach to school administration, job responsibilities and salaries, and the Right to Read multimedia program that he developed throughout his career.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ben Mammina conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 21, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Mammina discusses his early life in Chicago, Illinois, and his work renovating movie theaters and building hotels. Mammina moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994 and he recalls developing master plans for Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and obtaining a degree in civil engineering. He then describes the development of security technology and its effect on building planning. Lastly, Mammina discusses the process of choosing a building master plan.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Ralph Denton conducted by Donalene V. Ravitch on February 24, 1980 and March 16, 1980 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In these interviews, Denton recalls growing up in Caliente, Nevada. He talks about aspects and events in the community both during his life and before his birth, including the school system, housing, mining, the importance of the railroad, the stagecoach, the advent of legal gambling, farming, and the periodic flooding. He also discusses Caliente's population and the increase in ethnic minorities and Mormons in the area, the importance of politics, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's whistlestop visit to the town, and the economy during the depression.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ed Price conducted by Chuck Williams on November 01, 2012 for the Friends of Red Rock Canyon in Nevada Oral History Project. Price begins the interview by talking about his family life, childhood, and education on Oliver Ranch near Blue Diamond, Nevada. He then talks about the past of Oliver Ranch, what changed, and what structures the property had before. Lastly, Price speaks about meeting Howard Hughes, exploring the mines, and other caretakers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Betty (Elizabeth) Krolak conducted by Irene Rostine on November 25, 1995 and September 23, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview Krolak discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in April of 1962 with her husband and six children. Krolak then discusses her unexpected entry into the real estate business and her experiences in the industry. Krolak talks about the scope of the Las Vegas real estate scene, some of its regulations at the time, and the organizations that had influence over real estate brokers. Finally, Krolak describes opening her own real estate business in 1964.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rodney Sumpter conducted by Dennis McBride on January 20, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Sumpter discusses Fred Schoonmaker, a Reno, Nevada gay activist, and his efforts to create Stonewall Park, a town for LGBTQ members in Nevada that was never realized. Sumpter describes his professional relationship with Schoonmaker as his attorney. He also recalls the early stages for Stonewall Park, including finding a location and struggling to find financial and local support for the town. Lastly, Sumpter talks about Schoonmaker's HIV health issues and his personal thoughts on the LGBTQ community.
Archival Collection