Oral history interview with José Armando Elique conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on January 14, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Elique discusses his family background and early life in New York City, New York. He talks about his educational experience, attending Catholic schools, and serving in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Elique recalls his employment with the Port Authority Police Department, Latino police officers, and the evolution of gang culture. Later, Elique talks about moving the Las Vegas, Nevada in 2000, the 1 October shooting, and his role as the chief of police of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Police Services. Lastly, Elique discusses his involvement with the National Latino Police Officers Association.
Oral history interview with Floyd Sweets Harrison conducted by Claytee D. White on September 16, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Harrison discusses his upbringing in New York City, New York and his involvement in the King Charles Unicycle Troupe. He remembers joining the Ringling Bros. circus in 1968, touring around the country, and his experience as an African American entertainer during that time. Harrison talks about performing in Las Vegas, Nevada, the entertainment industry during the 1980s, and performing for community events. Later, Harrison recalls touring with Siegfried and Roy, and the King Charles Unicycle Troupe becoming an independent show in Las Vegas. Lastly, Harrison discusses the future of circus shows in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Sandra F. Mack conducted by Claytee D. White on March 29, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Mack discusses her early life in Seattle, Washington. She talks about her education in home economics, becoming a teacher, and her experience teaching during segregation. Mack recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001, and her involvement with community organizations 100 Black Women, the Las Vegas Branch of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Urban League Guild, and the local Delta Sigma Theta chapter. Lastly, Mack talks about the 1 October shooting, gun violence, the increase of security at churches.
Oral history interview with Jennifer and Robert Lewis conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on January 09, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Robert discusses his early life in Claremont, California. He recalls the establishment of their family business, Lewis Homes, building homes near Nellis Air Force Base, and the formation of the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Jennifer discusses her early interest in real estate,and her involvement with the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association, the Nevada Home Builders Association, and the Nevada Development Authority. Jennifer and Robert talk about the growth of Lewis Homes, and their decision to sell Lewis Homes to KB Homes in 1999. Lastly, Jennifer and Robert talk about the future of their company, Lewis Management.
Oral history interview with Michael Young and Jeffrey Young conducted by Stefani Evans on October 05, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Michael and Jeffrey discuss their upbringing in Salt Lake City, Utah. They talk about their family business, Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO), and the various jobs they held at the company. Michael and Jeffrey describe the first signs YESCO completed for early downtown Las Vegas, Nevada properties, and the company’s growth during that time. Later, Michael and Jeffrey talk about the significance that YESCO has in Las Vegas, and becoming stewards of the company. Lastly, Michael and Jeffrey discuss the ownership model that YESCO has established.
Oral history interview with Fernando Romero conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on October 2, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Barbara Tabach also participates in the questioning. Fernando Romero was born in El Paso, Texas in a musical home. His father and brother were avid music players, and his brother left El Paso to play in orchestra in Las Vegas. Despite not being as passionate about music as the rest of his family, music was Romero's ticket to higher education. Romero attended University of Nevada South before it was renamed University of Nevada Las Vegas. Romero has gone on to be deeply involved in the Las Vegas community. He is the current president of Hispanics in Politics. Subjects discussed in this interview include: Hispanics in Politics, Nevada Association of Latin Americans, and education.
Oral history interview with Patrick Egger conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on March 20, 2018 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Egger discusses his early life in Baltimore, Maryland and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. He recalls becoming an electrician for the United States Air Force, being stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, and his initial interest in general appraisal. Egger describes his work in valuation, consulting, and urban real estate studies. Egger talks about his involvement with the Geographic Information System (GIS), Dual Independent Mapping Encoding (DIME), and the Clark County Regional Planning Council. Lastly, Egger discusses his employment with Nevada Savings & Loan (now PriMerit Federal Savings Bank), and the concept of time-value of money (TVM).
Oral history interview with Lynnette Sawyer conducted by Nathalie Martinez on January 03, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Barbara Tabach and Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez also participate in the questioning. Lynnette Sawyer identifies as a Puerto Rican woman born and raised in Spanish Harlem in New York. Her ancestry extends from Spain to Africa and has helped her identity, as she became an educator and museum curator. She describes her life in New York and her journey to Las Vegas. As the founder of the Hispanic Museum of Nevada, she wanted to create a space that would teach young Latinos about their history and heritage.
Oral history interview with Maxine and Jack Cason conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 22, 1016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Jack discusses his early life in Oklahoma and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950. He recalls the formation of Saveway Super Service, Philips 66 service stations, the competition in the fuel industry, and the opening of the first Rebel service station. Jack talks about fuel terminals, fuel bulk plants, and becoming one of the largest fuel providers in southern Nevada. Later, Maxine and Jack talk about supporting local sports organizations. Lastly, Jack discusses his involvement in the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Athletics Department, and being inducted into the UNLV Sports Hall of Fame.
Oral history interview with Todd Avery Lenahan conducted by Stefani Evans on November 29, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Lenahan discusses his early life as a military child, and repeatedly relocating to several states. He talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999, and founding his architecture firm, TAL Studio. Lenahan recalls doing the interior design for the home of Steve Wynn, designing show rooms in the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, and making design accomodations for visually impaired individuals. Later, he discusses the issue of architecture firms outside of Las Vegas building communities in the city. Lastly, Lenahan talks about the future of Las Vegas infrastructure development.