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
Oral history interview with Charles Silvestri conducted by Claytee D. White on December 31, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Silvestri begins by discussing his family history and his personal history in the United States Army during the 1950s. He describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1957 after leaving the army, working as a casino dealer at The Mint Hotel and Casino and California Club while attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, called Nevada Southern University at the time. Silvestri then describes attending the University of Nevada, Reno to finish his degree and moving back to Las Vegas to begin his career as a teacher. Lastly, he talks about life in Las Vegas, entertainment in the city, race relations in Las Vegas during the 1960s, and the middle school that was named in his honor.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Calvin Shields conducted by Claytee D. White on May 07, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Shields begins by discussing his upbringing in Florida and his early interest in playing the trumpet before being drafted into the United States Army during World War II, where he learned how to play the drums in a military orchestra. Shields describes his career as a musician following his military service, playing as a drummer for singers such as Sammy Davis Jr. and Billy Williams and in various club and casino orchestras in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shields provides his experiences of segregation in Las Vegas as an African American man, and discusses how African American culture has changed and progressed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles J. Sorrells conducted by Karen Schank on November 30, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sorrells primarily discusses his family's history in Nevada beginning in the early 1900s when his grandfather moved there from Georgia. Sorrells describes life in the rural desert town of Shoshone, Nevada and a town called Greenwater, his grandfather's main residency, located somewhere in Death Valley. Through his family history, Sorrells provides an overview of Nevada's history as it progressed from an Old West lifestyle to modern American living by the mid-twentieth century. Sorrells also talks about life in Las Vegas, Nevada, his children, and his career as a certified public accountant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Clark Crocker conducted by Monica Lehman on March 3, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Crocker discusses his family and educational background as well as his experiences attending school in California and Massachusetts. Crocker then describes the building of the Hoover Dam and his career as a teacher and school principal, as well as his thoughts and philosophies on how curriculum should be structured in schools. Crocker also discusses his work for the fire department in Pahrump, Nevada and his career as a frogman and navigator for the United States Navy during World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Bruce Dill conducted by Luise A. Soholt on March 13, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bruce Dill discusses his experience as a researcher in physiology, specifically in Boulder City, Nevada. Dill first discusses his educational background, studies done around the world, and his interest in the effects of heat on the workers of Boulder Dam. He then discusses the topics and findings of some of his studies, including one on heat cramps and one on a comparison between sweating in a dog versus in a human.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Cuti conducted by Hans Kohls on February 25, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Frank Cuti discusses his experiences in the gaming industry in Nevada, such as his work as a floor man and a dealer in properties such as the Frontier Club during the 1940s. He then describes the changes in casinos like the El Rancho Hotel, Club Bingo, and the Flamingo Hotel. Other topics discussed include the nature of competition between properties, cheaters, the mob, the involvement of unions, and Howard Hughes’ influence on the development of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ron Donoho conducted by Craig Brenner on February 28, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Donoho discusses the history of sheriffs in the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Donoho mentions various sheriffs that were his colleagues and the political dynamics during their leaderships. He also recalls a list of Southern Nevada police officers killed in the line of duty.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nel Downing conducted by Scottie Rector in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Downing first talks about the first properties in the Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada area before talking about the forms of transportation available in Las Vegas. She also talks about her work with the Clark County Housing Authority, the development of Henderson, some of the early churches, and the beginnings of gambling in Henderson. She then discusses gambling, life in Nevada, the Helldorado parade, and inflation over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Katherine Duncan and Sarann Knight Preddy conducted by Claytee D. White on November 11, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Katherine Duncan and Sarann Preddy speak about creating a black cultural/historical tour of Las Vegas, Nevada. Preddy also discusses buying the Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino to preserve its history. Both women then talk about racism, segregation, and the involvement of African Americans in the history of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection