Oral history interview with Gerome Sapp conducted by Claytee D. White on September 9, 2015 for the Building a Las Vegas Tech Culture Oral History Project. In this interview, former NFL player Gerome Sapp recounts his personal, academic, and business experiences. He first came to Las Vegas, Nevada in September 2012 seeking investment opportunities for his company, Fluencr. A year later, he received the investment and moved to Las Vegas. Eventually, Sapp began working with the 2015 Life is Beautiful festival to document the artists of the Art Motel.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth M. Daybell conducted by Patricia van Betten on April 05, 2010 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Daybell discusses his early life in Utah, his move to Nevada, and his work as a gypsum lath plant operator and truck driver at the Blue Diamond Mine. He talks about what life was like in a company town, from living in a company-owned mobile home to shopping at the company store, and the growth of the town during his residence. He also discusses driving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his family for occasional shopping trips and meals at the Showboat Hotel and Casino buffet.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Suzette Cox conducted by Andrew Lazarus on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Suzette Cox discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She then discusses her careers in the police departments and a local newspaper company. Topics also included racial discrimination, sports, and how the development of the Strip influenced her life while attending school in Las Vegas, as well as its relation to tourism and aboveground atomic testing.
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 interview with Melvin Green conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 23, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Green discusses his upbringing in Louisiana and growing up in a family of farmers. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1983, working for Nevada Partners, and his involvement in the redevelopment of the Westside School. Green talks about his architect firm, KME Architects, and lists projects his company has worked on in Las Vegas. Lastly, Green describes presenting new designs to community members and partnering with church leaders to build community housing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joylin Vandenberg conducted by Charlie Bloom on February 09, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Vandenberg discusses life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Vandenberg then describes the plane crash that killed Carole Lombard, the opening of Boulder (Hoover) Dam with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the atomic bomb tests. Vandenberg later discusses the changes in Las Vegas, specifically the increase in pollution, population, and casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Larry Clinesmith conducted by Patricia van Betten on February 07, 2007 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Clinesmith discusses his upbringing and decision to pursue a degree in biological illustration. He then talks about graduating in the early 1970s and the beginning of his career with the Nevada State Parks system as a ranger at the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. He details the early years of the Park, the history of the Spring Mountain Ranch, and the many changes to the Park and the surrounding area. He also discusses some of the Park Service employees. Finally, he talks about the decision to move to the Village of Blue Diamond, Nevada from Henderson, Nevada, and people and events in the village.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Peg Crockett conducted by Claytee D. White on May 21, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Crockett begins by discussing her move to Las Vegas, Nevada as a child in 1937 with her family. Crockett then describes meeting her husband, George Crockett, the owner and operator of Alamo Field, known today as McCarran International Airport. Crockett chronicles earning her pilot's license at eighteen years old and operating the air field with her husband in the late 1940s. Crockett then recounts meeting Howard Hughes when he landed his plane at Alamo Field and his involvement both in Las Vegas and aviation. Lastly, Crockett talks about ongoing development and construction of new casinos in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sonny V. Mallari conducted by Chanele Mallari on November 26, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Sonny Mallari talks about his childhood in Masantol, Pampanga province, Philippines with his five siblings. He discusses his family's immigration to Salinas, California and details of his life and parents' lives in the United States. Sonny shares stories of being bullied in school and what the immigration process was like from his point of view at the age of seven. He also talks about his professional work as a cook, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada for work, and becoming a Culinary Workers Union member.
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Oral history interview with Frank Leone conducted by Lisa Giola-Acres on November 13, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Leone recalls his childhood, education, piano playing, and early career in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967 and engagements at various casinos, including playing with singers such as Frank Sinatra, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, and Elvis Presley. He also talks about his work as a board member and president of the Musicians Union.
Archival Collection