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 Aquiles Garcia conducted by Claytee D. White on January 10 and February 20, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Garcia discusses the political atmosphere and risks of being gay in Juan Perón’s Argentina in the 1940s, Las Vegas, Nevada life in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and his dual Las Vegas careers as a dancer and a casino dealer throughout the second half of the twentieth century.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harold Smith conducted by Troy Durham on July 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943 and recalls his first impressions of the city. Smith also talks about his employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada. Finally, he discusses the development of Fremont Street, recreational activities, and the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roy Smith conducted by Gary Michael Buyacheic on March 13, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931 for job opportunities. Smith recalls the introduction of gambling and the impact it had on the city and throughout Nevada. Later, Smith describes the Stewart Ranch, Mount Charleston, and the growth of casinos and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Goldie Spicer conducted by Elmer Herren on February 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Spicer discusses working as a cocktail waitress. She also talks about the boom that Las Vegas, Nevada went through when the first casinos were being built, and when the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam occurred. She discusses El Rancho, Twin Lakes, and the Taylor Ranch.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Larry Canarelli conducted by Claytee D. White on May 01, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Canarelli discusses growing up in an Oregon logging town living in a tent, and how that fueled his passion of providing homes for underdeveloped areas. He relates stories of Las Vegas, Nevada's early home development and how the real estate industry has changed throughout the decades.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gary Sanoff conducted by David Schwartz on June 29, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Sanoff recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1979 and going to dealer school to become a craps dealer. He discusses his work in casinos including the Nevada Hotel, the El Cortez, Union Plaza and the Desert Inn. Sanoff then describes his work at the Bellagio as pit manager, assistant shift manager, shift manager, Interim Vice President of Table Games, and director at the time of the interview.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edythe Katz conducted by Walter Duttweiler on March 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Katz discusses the Jewish community, Ralph Denton, atomic testing, and integration in movie theatres.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leroy Payne conducted by Claytee D. White on January 29, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Payne discusses working for Lockheed Overseas Corporation during World War II and his construction career in Las Vegas, Nevada. Payne describes traveling around England while employed by Lockheed Corporation and performing procurement duties for United States military bases. He also describes meeting and marrying his wife in Belfast, Ireland in 1943. Payne concludes by discussing their move to Las Vegas during the 1960s and his work in housing development constructing different neighborhoods and communities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Nona Carroll conducted by Claytee D. White on July 06, 2018 and July 16, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Carroll discusses her family background and early life in St. Louis, Missouri. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987, her employment with Computer Software Analyst, Inc., and working at Nellis Air Force Base. In the second interview, Carroll talks about her community involvement in Las Vegas and her membership with the Summerlin Women’s Club. Lastly, Carroll discusses the organization J.U.G.S. (Justice, Unity, Generosity, Service, Inc.) and the Girl Friends, Inc.
Archival Collection